#PMF24 Accompanists Emily Xu & Julian Kalehoff

This year, we are excited to have Emily Xu join us again and to welcome Julian Kalehoff as piano accompanists for some of our youngest performers. Emily and Julian are both outstanding pianists, and members of the PMHS chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. They are contributing their time as part of their commitment to supporting music education in their community.

Emily is a PMHS Junior and long-time performer at the Pelham Music Festival. She was a piano accompanist for last year’s PMF and also provides accompaniment for musicians in the PMHS Tri-M concert Fundraiser. In fifth grade, she completed NYSSMA level 6 with a score of 99, and this year received her Performance ARSM Diploma with merit. Emily credits her piano teacher, Mr. Hanguang Yan, for her passion in music, and she hopes to bring music to others by performing at more social events.

Julian, also a PMHS Junior, has long been heavily involved in the town’s music community. He teaches weekly piano lessons to local students; the jazz quartet he co-created, “The Mellow Fellows”, plays at house parties, restaurants, and events; and he’s been playing keys in a gospel church for over a year. In his sophomore year, he scored a 100 on his classical NYSSMA level 6. At school, Julian accompanies the PMHS choruses, and is pursuing studying film scoring in college. He is excited to be accompanying some of Pelham’s talented, young musicians at #PMF24.

Nely Burla returns for #PMF24 to accompany performers in our afternoon sessions. A wonderful concert pianist and piano teacher, she has been a friend of the festival for many years, and we are excited to have her back again this year. Click here to read her bio from #PMF23.