Meet Sabina Balsamo of Sohap Ensemble in Broomfield

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sabina Balsamo.

Sabina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Born out of the 2020 global pandemic and national unrest, Sohap Ensemble is a musical response to our rapidly changing world. Chas and I were on traditional paths in classical music. I’m an opera singer and he’s a cellist. We both graduated from our master’s at the University of Colorado Boulder and were taking auditions for professional houses and orchestras.

Then the pandemic hit. We and all entertainers watched helplessly as our industry fell apart. There were no more auditions and everything we had lined up for the spring and summer fell through. During this incredibly difficult time, we missed our collaborators, audiences, and our musical community in general. We realized that we could no longer rely on existing organizations to create opportunities for us and that what was truly important to us is our musical community right here in Colorado. Sohap is a product of this shift in the classical music industry and our own priorities as artists.

As we honed in on our mission, we formed three programs: The Listener’s Club, School Program, and Private Lessons. Sohap’s Listeners’ Club is the core of our performing activity and a community of music-lovers interested in the classical music of our time. Every month, typically the third Thursday, we present a performance ‘Session’ for Club members, live online for now. Those interested can register for free on our website. The School Program is our educational series for K-12 students. Our program introduces students to new and underrepresented classical music and teaches them how to actively listen to and connect with this music. We are currently offering virtual visits to classrooms anywhere. Finally, Sohap Artists offer private lessons for those interested in the musical study online or in-person at our Broomfield, CO studio.

Over the next several months, we will continue to have all of our concerts live online. In May, we hope to launch live performance as possible with public health regulations at that time. Our proposed program is a chamber opera by Ricky Ian Gordon called ‘Green Sneakers’ performed by some amazing local musicians. Stay tuned for updates on our website and social media!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been smooth, but it has been a lot of fun. Chas and I are both new to the business side of running a multi-faceted arts organization. I’ve always had strong entrepreneurial skills as well as stage managing and office experience, but launching the Sohap Ensemble has been a huge learning curve for both of us! Luckily, Chas has been amazing with taking the initiative to figure out the detailed legal and financial work.

Sohap Ensemble – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Sohap Ensemble concerts are very specialized. You will never hear Beethoven at a Listeners’ Club Session. We love Beethoven, but this is not what Sohap does because you can hear the greats in any symphony hall or opera house. We are specific to new and underrepresented music on a chamber scale. This means that it is more intimate than grand opera or orchestra. Our performances are more likely to have about five performers instead of one hundred. This means you’ll be able to see every expression on a performer’s face. You’ll hear every breath. And you will be a part of the experience in a way that is not possible in larger venues.

Sohap is also an organization with a strong sense of place. Colorado’s vibrant culture inspires us to make music for Coloradans and contribute to what already makes this state such a wonderful place to call home. Therefore, a huge focus of Sohap is community-building and we achieve this by being out there presenting inspired performances and getting to know our audiences.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Our goal is to create a community of music lovers around new and underrepresented music. We are bringing together a diverse group of world-class local musicians and driven students to learn from each other, create, and present great music. That is our success.

Contact Info:

• Website: Sohapensemble.com
• Phone: 3032644380
• Email: sohapensemble@gmail.com
• Instagram: @sohapensemble
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sohapensemble/?tsid=0.8948231893880283&source=result

Image Credit:
David Starry

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