Thomas, music director of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, has written a number of works; most recently Rilke Songs in 2004. Other compositions include Notturno for Flute, Harp, and String Quintet; Island Music for two marimbas and Tea with Maggie.

Robison recently released two recordings of Brazilian music. She has commissioned concertos from Leon Kirchner, Toru Takemitsu and Oliver Knussen, among others.

Ken Noda is musical assistant to James Levine at the Metropolitan Opera, where he began working in 1991 after he retired from a full-time career as a concert pianist.