William Pilgrim, cello and Nomin Samdan, piano play works of Brahms, Schumann and Nadia Boulanger for their Downtown Music debut.
A Downtown Music debut presented in partnership with Young Musicians of Westchester. Learn more at YoungMusiciansofWestchester.org
William Pilgrim, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, began his musical studies at the age of five. His early training was with Tom Austin (2006–2010), after which he continued his studies with David Gibson for a decade following his family’s move to New York. In 2019–2020, he also worked with Astrid Schween of the Juilliard String Quartet.
From 2018 to 2020, William attended the New England Conservatory Preparatory School, performing with the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra as well as its chamber music program. In 2019, he was awarded second place in the Uel Wade Music Scholarship Competition.
William recently graduated from Bard College and Bard Conservatory, earning a Bachelor of Arts in computer science and a Bachelor of Music in cello performance. As of September 2025, he continues his studies with his teacher, Peter Wiley, in the Advanced Performance Studies program at Bard Conservatory.
Born into a family of musicians, pianist Nomin Samdan made her first public appearance at the age of seven in her native country, Mongolia. Since then, her career as a soloist and collaborator has brought her to stages spanning the continents of Europe, Asia, and North America. Recent professional appointments include a position on the piano faculty of the Mongolian State Conservatory. Nomin holds graduate degrees in piano from Boston University and is currently a Collaborative piano fellow at Bard Conservatory.