Basso Celestia is an early music ensemble formed by and for young musicians dedicated to forging creative relationships with music and inspiring similar passions in others.
Our strength lies in the diverse expertise of our four core members, rooted in the Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). Soprano Leah Wenger and cellist/gambist Katerina Kotar both hold dual master's degrees in Musicology and Historical Performance and bring a deep commitment to historical research and education. Kotar, currently a PhD candidate at Duke University, and Wenger strive to make early music accessible to wider audiences by introducing them to lesser-known composers and pieces through engaging, educational performances. Cameron Kuzepski, our keyboardist, is a senior completing dual bachelor's degrees in organ and harpsichord performance, and holds a position as Organ Scholar at Christ Church in Wilmington, DE. Soprano Morayo Akande, a PhD candidate in Public Health at JHU, infuses our ensemble with a remarkable versatility. Her ability to bridge diverse musical styles enhances our ensemble's creative output and broadens the accessibility of our repertoire. Together, these four musicians allow Basso Celestia to craft a unique sound that brings esoteric early music to life for contemporary audiences.
We prioritize intimate works for small ensembles, allowing us to explore and perform unusual or underperformed pieces that effectively tell a story. We have brought this distinctive approach to audiences across the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2024, we embarked on a six-state, eight-performance tour featuring François Couperin’s Leçons des Ténèbres. Each performance consistently attracted robust audiences who enriched the concert experience with their presence and responsiveness. In the spring of 2025, Basso Celestia will return to some venues, and add a few more stops for a new concert series featuring the baroque Italian women Barbara Strozzi and Isabella Leonarda.
Our interactive style not only entertains but also educates, bringing early music to life in innovative ways that resonate deeply with contemporary audiences. Leveraging fields, such as art history, psychology, healthcare, historical dress and textiles, and religion, Basso Celestia transforms how early music is experienced, turning each performance into an opportunity for communal learning and enjoyment. Drawing upon our expertise in diverse musical traditions, from French sacred music to Italian secular music, we strive to create dynamic and varied programs that resonate across cultural boundaries, and can be performed in many different types of venues. We are committed to nurturing a collective of musicians who not only relish playing together but are also dedicated to spreading early music education and appreciation within our local communities.