For several years, Mr. Shabalin has been the assistant conductor and strings coach of the MIT Symphony, and he led the group as principal conductor in an all Russian program in December 2005. He coaches chamber music at Brown University, and he conducts the symphony orchestra, coaches violin and chamber groups, and teaches music theory at Providence College . In addition, he instructs a large number of private students in the Boston and Providence areas, and at the Music School of the Rhode Island Philharmonic. In 2005, the Siemens Foundation appointed Shabalin as Artistic Director to select talented students from elite colleges around the country. He created a concert in New York City featuring an eclectic mix of pieces by these young performers.

Currently, Shabalin is a member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic. Active as a solo recitalist and chamber player, his busy concert schedule has taken him around the world. Shabalin graduated from Moscow Conservatory in 1995, having studied with Professors Igor Besrodny and Alexander Melkinov. As a student he won third prize in the Soviet national string quartet competition in 1991. During the same year he was a semifinalist in the International Shostakovich Chamber Music Competition. In 1995 he won the "Best Violinist in a Duet" category in the International Bashmet Competition Moscow.

From 1992 to 1996, Shabalin toured with the world-renown Moscow Soloists Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Yuri Bashmet. The group played in 32 countries and most of the major concert halls of the world. In 1995 the group gave the second performance ever held of Mozart's newly unearthed Triple Concerto, with Shabalin playing the solo violin part. In recognition of his talent, he was allowed to perform on a priceless Stradivarius violin owned by the Russian government. The orchestra recorded extensively on a variety of prestigious CD labels with the world's top soloists. Moving to the US in 1996, Shabalin has played in many orchestras, at chamber groups, and festivals around New England and the US .

The Boston Globe called him "a very gifted and unusually personal violinist," and praised his playing for projecting "a certain aristocratic air that is solidly supported by technique and musicality."

Vincent Mattera, Repertory Orchestra Conductor
B.M., M.M., University of Rhode Island
A Rhode Island native, Vincent Mattera graduated from Terra Linda High School in San Rafael, California in 1968 and received his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees from the University Of Rhode Island.  His career as a music educator began in 1972 when he became the Director of Music at Nantucket Junior/Senior High School, a position he held for three years.  From 1975 to 1978 he served as Assistant Band Director and Assistant Conductor of the Orchestra at the University of Rhode Island. Mr. Mattera also served as Assistant Director of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association Wind Ensemble and the Young Peoples Symphony of Rhode Island.  As a clarinetist, Vince was a member of Artist Internationale Orchestra for six years and performed in many solo and ensemble recitals.  As violist/violinist, he has been a member of the Fall River Symphony, the Ocean State Light Opera Orchestra and is currently a member of the South County Chamber Orchestra and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Community Orchestra.  Vince served as the conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Repertory Youth Orchestra for twelve years from 1987-2000.  Having taught for 26 years at East Greenwich High School where he was Director of Bands, Orchestra, String Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, Vince is now completing his fourth year as Band and Orchestra Director at South Kingstown High School in Wakefield, RI.  This summer, as in the last 6 summers, he will be touring Europe with the United States Youth Ensembles as the orchestra director.  Besides teaching duties, Vince is serving on the executive board and is a Past President of the Rhode Island Music Educators Association.