Team

Gavin has devoted his career to inspiring youth to explore their musical abilities and open their eyes – and ears – to the countless elements of music.

Background

Gavin Wigginson has devoted his career to inspiring youth to explore their musical abilities and open their eyes – and ears – to the countless elements of music.

With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music and in vocal performance from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Gavin has fused his classical training to raise awareness and uplift victims of social injustice. Currently, Gavin serves as executive director for PRIZM Ensemble. Previously, Gavin has served as a fellowship coach for Memphis Music Initiative, where he partnered with dozens of local schools and managed a team of music fellows who taught more than 750 students each semester, and as a music professor at Kentucky State University and LeMoyne-Owen College.

As PRIZM’s executive director, Gavin oversees all operations and strategic direction for the nonprofit, manages development, drives programming, recruits mentors, and fosters community partnerships to support PRIZM’s vast youth outreach efforts. He also leads PRIZM’s largest program, the Summer Music Camp and International Chamber Music Festival, and the PRIZM in the Schools (PITS) program, which provides high-level introductory music classes and orchestral instruction at various schools.

Background

Hailed by the New York Times as a "virtuoso pianist" Artina McCain, has built a formidable career as a performer, educator and speaker. As a recitalist, her credits include performances at Wigmore Hall and Barbican Centre in London, Weill Hall at Carnegie and Merkin Hall in New York City and more. Other highlights include guest appearances with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra. In 2022, she was the mistress of ceremony for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

IDedicated to promoting the works of underrepresented voices, she is a prolific recording artist. She is an American Prize winner for her solo piano recordings of these works and won a Gold Global Music Award for her album project Heritage. Hal Leonard published her transcriptions of Twenty-Four Traditional African American Folk Songs. McCain was a featured inspirational leader in the award-winning PBS documentary series Roadtrip Nation: Degree of Impact in an episode exploring the real-world impact of professionals with doctoral degrees in and outside of academia.

McCain's performances have been heard on the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), Germany’s WDR and television appearances including features on CSPAN for the MLK 50 Commemoration. McCain is a three-time Global Music Awards winner including collaborative projects I, Too (Naxos), with soprano Icy Monroe, focused on African American Spirituals and Art Songs and Shades, a collaboration with her husband and duo partner Martin McCain.

After not performing for 6 years while battling a performance injury, she now enjoys a prolific concert career with more than 10 years of full injury recovery. She uses her recovery to serve as an advocate of musicians’ wellness–curating articles, lectures, and forums to educate teachers and students. Most recently the BBC featured her on the podcast Sideways telling her miraculous story of injury to recovery. McCain has written and presented on wellness and other topics in publications and at multiple universities and national conferences.

McCain graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University. She received her Master of Music from Cleveland Institute of Music and holds a doctoral degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, she is Associate Professor of Piano and Coordinator of the Keyboard Area at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis and Co-Founder/Director of the Memphis International Piano Festival and Competition.

Artina McCain is a Yamaha Artist.

Mari believes in fostering growth and enriching our community through the power of music education. Her mission is to create an environment where students can develop their musical skills while also growing as respectful, helpful, and well-rounded individuals.

Background

Mari Kamikura is a Japanese freelance flutist and arts administrator residing in Memphis, TN. In 2021, Mari completed her master's degree in flute performance at the University of Memphis under the direction of flute professor Elise Blatchford. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance from Missouri State University. Her primary flute teachers include Dr. Jill Heyboer, Michiko Kitahara, and Hideki Nakajyo.

Mari began her chamber and orchestral career at a young age while she was still in Japan. After moving to the United States, her experiences fueled her passion for music education. She worked as a teaching artist fellow at the Memphis Music Initiative, where she visited public middle school band classes. In this role, she expanded opportunities for young, talented students to become involved in Memphis music educational programs. Her unique background allows her to use positive and encouraging language in the classroom.

Mari maintains a private flute studio with beginner to intermediate-level students in the Mid-South area. She has also instructed flute students at both public and private high schools, successfully guiding many of them to pursue music majors in college.

Outside of PRIZM, Mari serves as a substitute flutist for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, playing second and third flute. As a performer, she is dedicated to maintaining a high quality of performance that reflects her commitment to education. She truly loves the Memphis music scene and is actively involved with Crosstown Arts, the We Want Music! Foundation, and as a board member of the Memphis Youth Symphony Program (MYSP).