Named after a luminous and spectacular star-forming Nebula in our galaxy, ETA3 is one of the newest and most exciting chamber music groups coming out of The Juilliard School in New York City.

Fortunately, music lovers in and around Bainbridge do not need a telescope to get a good glimpse of this Shining Star Nebula as they are scheduled to perform at the First Presbyterian Church in Bainbridge on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 7:30 p.m.

ETA3 comprises an American flutist, Emily Thomas; Japanese pianist, Tomoko Nakayama, and Russian clarinetist, Alexey Gorokholinsky.

ETA also initializes the first letter of each musician’s first name.

The trio strives to communicate the intellectual and emotional elements of life by broadening the audience’s perspective through a varied range of repertoire. Their program in Bainbridge would include a variety of captivating works by Romantic, French impressionist and contemporary composers.

The artists

Alexey Gorokholinsky is the first prize-winner of Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition, Jefferson Symphony Young Artist Competition and Juilliard Clarinet Concerto Competition. The latter culminated in his New York City debut in Alice Tully Hall, performing with the Juilliard Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Otto-Werner Mueller. In addition, Alexey is also the laureate of ICA Young Artist Competition, Pasadena Showcase Instrumental Competition (Jack Smith Award) and Spotlight Competition.

Tomoko Nakayama was born in Tokyo and began private piano lessons at the young age of 5. Because of her unique ability, she was soon accepted to study at the Children’s Toho Music School (Japan) and gave her first solo recital at the age of 11 as she was asked by government officials to perform at the Japanese Embassy. She pursued her early music education at the United World College of South East Asia (Singapore). Her international engagements include appearances in Singapore, Japan, Belgium and the Czech Republic. She is also the official pianist for the Chamber Orchestra of New York.

Emily Thomas is pursuing her master’s at The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Robert Langevin, principal flutist of the New York Philharmonic. She has been awarded the New Horizons Fellowship and Academy of American conductors’ fellowship to the Aspen Music Festival where she also won second prize in woodwind concerto competition (2005). She has also been featured twice on NPR’s “From the Top” Radio show and is newly appointed flutist in the Chamber Orchestra of New York. Emily also occasionally appears in ABC’s daytime soap Opera “All my Children.”

“I know that music lovers in and around Bainbridge would immensely share my enthusiasm for ETA3” says Reggie Bahl, the New York based classical music manager. Bahl also represents the award-winning Manhattan Piano Trio whose two performances in Bainbridge were extremely well received in previous seasons at the same venue.

For more information about ETA-3, please visit their Web site: www.eta3.org.

ETA3, which comprises a flutist, pianist and clarinetist, will be Artsfest’s first program for the year on Saturday, Jan. 24, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Shotwell Street.