Music Professors Invited to Perform at National Conference

Pictured, from left, are Dr. Richard Montalto, Dr. Valentin Bogdan and Dr. Julia Mortyakova
(Photo by Chris Jenkins/MUW Office of University Relations)

COLUMBUS, Miss. (Press Release) — Three Mississippi University for Women music professors were invited to perform their original compositions at the annual conference of the National Association of Composers USA (NACUSA).

Drs. Valentin Bogdan, Richard Montalto and Julia Mortyakova presented their compositions Nov. 14-15 at the national conference at Georgia State University in Atlanta.

“The selection process was very competitive. There were over 170 submissions, and only 30 were chosen for presentation,” said Bogdan.

He performed his solo piano work titled “Etudes,” while Montalto and Mortyakova performed Montalto’s original work “Cantus,” written for wind controller and piano.

NACUSA hosts new music concerts all over the United States and an annual conference attended by composers and musicians from around the world.

According to Bogdan, many of America’s most distinguished composers have been among its members.

Founded by Henry Hadley in 1933, NACUSA is one of the oldest organizations devoted to the promotion and performance of American concert hall music.