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Meet Our Visionary Founders.
Founded in 2022 by conductor Carmine Aufiero and violinist Garry Ianco, TerpsiKord emerged as a dynamic response to the challenges facing the performing arts in the wake of COVID-19, which shuttered venues early in the pandemic and reopened them last . With the closing of The Phantom of the Opera on April 18th, the founders further committed themselves to creating fresh opportunities for performers.
Carmine Aufiero brings extensive international and New York experience, from conducting the global Phantom of the Opera tour to leading acclaimed productions for Chelsea Opera, New York City Opera, Opera Carolina, and other major companies. Co-founder Garry Ianco has long served as concertmaster for Phantom’s touring productions . Director of Marketing Raquel Suarez Groen, known for her role as Carlotta in Phantom since 2017, and violinist/Director of Development Drew Martin Youmans, great-great nephew of Tea for Two composer Vincent Youmans, further strengthen the ensemble’s deep Broadway and classical connections .
TerpsiKord’s roster features musicians who regularly perform with leading New York institutions such as The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic . Rather than competing directly with other orchestral startups, the ensemble thrives on flexibility—adapting size, repertoire, and style to suit the moment. Their programs range from Baroque masterworks to contemporary compositions and Broadway show tunes, embodying a mission to break the mold and provide a platform for star singers and instrumentalists between steady engagements .
Since its debut, TerpsiKord has shared the stage with celebrated performers from Broadway and opera, delivering diverse concerts that include Handel’s Messiah, Phantom Phorever, and the gala Crossroads at Symphony Space .
Carmine Aufiero
Founder & Artistic Director
Newly engaged associate Music Director and conductor for the International Tour of Phantom of the Opera Carmine Aufiero began his journey with the company in May of 2024 in Shanghai, China. After 8 months, 7 cities, and over 250+ performances, it has broken all Chinese box office records with over 270,000 seeing the production so far. The tour continues this year in Mumbai (1st time in India) Singapore, Thailand and Taiwan before returning to China in October.
Mr. Aufiero made his New York conducting debut with Chelsea Opera's Suor Angelica, after which he served as the company’s first Music Director with productions of Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, William Walton's The Bear and Lee Hoiby's The Scarf (production commemorating 50th anniversary of its premiere), Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly and The Ballad of Baby Doe to rave reviews. Maestro Aufiero led the first full production of Tom Cipullo’s Glory Denied, a masterwork that has since entered the repertoire of 21st century American Opera.
He was engaged as pianist and assistant conductor for the American Symphony Orchestra's production of Janacek's Osud under Leon Botstein after completing his studies in orchestral conducting with Harold Farberman. He has also worked with Martina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance as vocal coach and pianist.
In the summer of 2022, Mr. Aufiero co-founded TerpsiKord, NYC’s newest musical ensemble. Since its inaugural concert, TerpsiKord has been proud to perform with Broadway and opera stars Raquel Suarez Groen, Carlton Moe, Maree Johnson, Gregory Mills, Julie Udine, Jeremy Stolle, Elizabeth Welch and Derrick Davis (the Phantom of the Opera) and Krysty Swann (the Metropolitan Opera).
Performances thus far include a benefit concert of Handel’s Messiah, a two evening engagement at Don’t Tell Mama’s of Phantom Phorever, as well as a gala concert at NYC’S Symphony Space entitled ‘Crossroads’ in August of 2023
As a guest conductor, Mr. Aufiero led the Marcello Giordani Foundation Gala Concert where he collaborated with such celebrated artists as Marcello Giordani, Lise Lindstrom, Leah Crochetto, Stephen Costello, and Victor Antipenko. He has conducted productions for Syracuse Opera, Opera in the James, Toledo Opera, Opera Carolina, and most recently for New York City Opera, debuting as conductor for its production of Barbiere di Siviglia in 2022 as well as conducting his first production with Opera Idaho (Barbiere di Siviglia) in October of 2022. He returned to OI to lead its next season opener, Le Nozze di Figaro, in 2023.
An active vocal coach and accompanist, Mr. Aufiero was principal pianist and studio coach to renowned vocal pedagogue and Metropolitan Opera soprano Diana Soviero, collaborating on master classes for vocal technique, style and repertoire study.
Violinist and co-founder, Garry Ianco is an accomplished violinist whose international career spans solo performances, chamber music, studio recording, and theater productions. He has recorded with artists such as Jacam Manricks, Ron Foster, and Paul Kyser, and even appeared on TV’s 30 Rock . As a soloist, he has performed with ensembles including the Bachanalia Chamber Orchestra, The Montclair Chamber Ensemble, The Orchestra of the Bronx, The New Jersey Philharmonic, and The Monmouth Symphony. His rendition of Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso with the Monmouth Symphony was lauded by the Asbury Park Press for a tone “like a shining sword” .
An active chamber musician and recitalist, Ianco has appeared at Capital City Concerts (VT), the Red Bank Chamber Music Society (NJ), the Summerland Music Society (NY), and Fontainebleau Palace (France), collaborating with noted artists such as Richard Wolfe, Alexander Markov, Frederick Zlotkin, and Nina Beilina . He currently serves as concertmaster for Cameron Mackintosh’s touring production of The Phantom of the Opera in North America, and has performed in Broadway productions of Phantom of the Opera and Evita, as well as Off-Broadway shows Far From Heaven and Giant .
A seasoned concertmaster, Ianco has led performances with Chelsea Opera, Verismo Opera, Orchestra of St. Peter by-the-Sea, the Marcello Giordani Gala Orchestra, the New Jersey Philharmonic, and the Irish Tenors, working closely with composers including Lee Hoiby, Matthew Harris, Tom Cipullo, and Seymour Barab . He has also served as assistant concertmaster for the Santo Domingo Music Festival Orchestra and played with The Orchestra of Northern New York, Münchner Symphoniker, and The Strathmere Festival Orchestra . Dedicated to music education, Ianco has been an Adjunct Professor at New Jersey City University and held faculty positions at the Monmouth Conservatory of Music and the Judith Wharton School.
Garry Ianco
Co-Founder & General Director
