Program Students

David Ginther

David is 31 years old. He was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, and has lived in Midland, Michigan, for 30 years. He began piano lessons at age 10 and has studied weekly, including summers, with Barbara DuRussell of Midland. He participates annually in Mrs. DuRussell’s studio performance classes and the Midland Keyboardfest at the Midland Center for the Arts. David is an avid bicyclist and has ridden up to 100 miles in a day. He also continues to enjoy cross-country skiing. He is very happy to be participating again in “Celebrating the Spectrum” and looks forward to this week all year.

Timothy Nechuta

Timothy Randall Nechuta is a recent graduate of Hope College in Holland, Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in May 2024. He studied organ with Dr. Huw Lewis, composition with Dr. Ben Krause and Dr. David Keep, and also participated in college choirs and jazz band. His musical journey began at age seven with piano lessons and continued with organ study under John Horak from fifth through eighth grade. Timothy has attended Interlochen, the Oberlin High School Organ Academy, and two Pipe Organ Encounters. He has accompanied soloists, choral groups, and handbell choirs and performed solos in churches across mid-Michigan. His awards include the Hope College Distinguished Artist Award, Ruth Haidt Hughes Organ Scholarship, Jean Anderson Palmer Memorial Award in Piano, and the Kent S. Dennis Memorial Scholarship. Timothy lives in Williamston, MI, is the full-time organist at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Holt, and continues to compose, research music and the Bible, and prepare for graduate studies in sacred music or organ performance.

Gavi Polyntsev

Gavi Polyntsev is a 28-year-old musician and graduate of Eastern Michigan University School of Music, where he earned a double major in Piano and Organ Performance, graduating summa cum laude. His musical journey began at age 10 through music therapy, where he quickly showed interest and talent. During his school years, Gavi played both piano and viola, performing viola in orchestra before eventually focusing fully on piano. In college, he discovered a strong interest in the pipe organ and began studying it seriously alongside piano — both of which he continues to study and perform today. Outside of music, Gavi is a second-degree black belt in Judo. He also enjoys movies, learning about actors and film history, and exploring how music and film sometimes borrow from each other — or cross the line into plagiarism. You can watch Gavi’s performances on his YouTube channel.

Chapman Shum

Chapman Shum is a 14-year-old blind pianist with complex disabilities, including autism, learning and speech difficulties, and hearing loss. He began learning piano at age 6, passed ABRSM Grade 8 with distinction at 11, and earned the ARSM performance diploma at 13. He is currently preparing for the LRSM/LTCL diploma in piano performance. This fall, Chapman will begin his studies at the Junior Conservatoire at Trinity Laban. He is also a proud member of the National Open Youth Orchestra and the London Youth Folk Ensemble. Chapman has performed across the UK to support various causes and has been featured on Channel 4’s “The Piano,” judged by Jon Batiste and Mika Penniman, as well as on BBC News and the Blue Peter show.

Masha Staples

Masha is a Piano Performance major at Wayne State University. Her favorite classes include Music History, Music Theory, and Chamber Music. The highlight of her summer is being invited to “Celebrating the Spectrum,” where she is inspired by outstanding piano faculty and wonderful mentors. Masha enjoys watching science fiction, reading world history, and studying atlases and maps. She also loves walking outdoors and visiting local parks. Her favorite composer is Robert Schumann, with whom she feels a connection due to his mental health struggles. Masha is also a lifelong fan of Barney the Purple Dinosaur and the color purple.

Owen Whitman

Owen Whitman is 20 years old. He graduated high school in May 2023 and began attending Northern Virginia Community College in August 2024, with plans to pursue a degree in video game design at George Mason University. Before graduating, Owen studied piano at Levine Music School in Washington, DC, starting at age 4 in the Suzuki program and continuing through the Level 10 advanced piano program. Over the years, he has participated in numerous master classes and recitals, and his favorite composer is Chopin. Outside of music, Owen enjoys learning about, simulating, and riding subway trains. He lives in Washington, DC, with his mom, dad, and cat.