Decoda

07/23/2026

We're thrilled to see composer Joseph Wilson and his opera 9131 featured in The Marshall Project Redemption Songs series.

Joseph, who is currently incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, began developing his voice as a composer through both Carnegie Hall's Musical Connections program and Musicambia. Through these programs, he worked closely with Decoda artist Brad Balliett, who became a longtime mentor, collaborator, and champion of his work.

Decoda is honored to have been part of Joseph's artistic journey—performing excerpts from 9131 at Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Room, documenting the work's development, and helping introduce his extraordinary music to new audiences.

Congratulations to Joseph, Brad, and everyone who has helped bring this remarkable work to life.

Read the article through this link to learn more about 9131 and hear us perform excerpts from the opera.

In “9131,” incarcerated composer Joseph Wilson depicts a wife’s infidelity while her husband is up for parole.

06/26/2026

“People are more important than music” - CAS & DLP 💓 DCMF ‘26 ✨

06/24/2026

TONIGHT—June 24! Join us for Part 1 of our Festival Finale in person or via Livestream for a celebratory performance featuring the 29 outstanding young artists who have made the last two weeks so inspiring, creative and meaningful! Livestream link in our stories or Link Tree! 🔗🌳

06/10/2026

Attention Asheville! Decoda Chamber Music Festival returns to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains for our 12th annual summer extravaganza. We are thrilled for two new and exciting partnerships with the and the 🖼️ 🌲 🦅

Next week DCMF will be in residence at the Asheville Art Museum with several performances:
⭐️ Tuesday 6/16 concert featuring Decoda faculty with
⭐️ Thursday 6/18 concert featuring and
⭐️ Saturday 6/20: Music & Art Day with DCMF—fun for all ages with musical gallery tours, interactive performances, and engaging art / music making 🎵🎨

⭐️Sunday 6/21 “Arboretum” at for two performances at 10:30 and 11:30. This work by Decoda’s own is inspired by different tree species. Performed by 35 instrumentalists throughout the trails, the audience is immersed in a nature soundscape, moving freely among the musicians where the Arboretum itself becomes a living, breathing musical landscape.

⭐️ Two Festival Finale programs featuring the talented and fantastic DCMF young artists on Wednesday 6/24 at the and Thursday 6/25 at the Presbyterian Church.

More info on all of the DCMF events can be found in the 🔗 🌳 in our bio!

📷 Anna Azarov

06/08/2026

Last week in our hometown of NYC, we presented our fourth annual installment of “Music for Transformation: Songs from the Inside”, a very special project featuring work written by incarcerated musicians from across the United States. We were joined by a full band of outstanding guests and people: Mikael Darmanie (piano), Mike Bono (guitar), Greg Chudzik (bass) and Matt Smallcomb (drums). The work presented included original instrumental compositions alongside original songs from Lee Correctional featuring our very own Sarah Elizabeth Charles (vocalist). We shared this extraordinary music in concert at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Room and recorded all of the works in the studio for two days at Power Station NYC. To say this was a memorable week is an understatement. We are beyond excited to share this epic music with you in the coming months!!

There are many people to think for making such a huge project to come to life each year: our project leader and master arranger, Brad Balliett, the City of New York and its Cultural Development Fund, the artistic team and Resnick staff at Carnegie Hall, our mentor and friend Betsie Becker, Musicambia and Musical Connections, the donors and supporters who contribute to these projects, the audience who came out to support, our wonderful record producer and friend Tom Bergeron, engineer Ben Miller and the team at Power Station, Decoda arrangers George Meyer & Kris Saebo, and most importantly, the composers and collaborators we have had the privilege to make music with over the many years at Sing Sing, Lee Correctional, San Quentin, and Cheshire Correctional.






Paul Cho



Matt Smallcomb

06/03/2026

It would be “Nice to Meet You” TONIGHT at at 7pm in the Weill Music Wing. This incredible program, “Music For Transformation: Songs from the Inside,” features music written by incarcerated musicians from Sing Sing, Cheshire Correctional, San Quentin, and Lee Correctional Institution. We are thrilled to have a full band with our friends and collaborators Matt Smallcomb, Mike Bono, Mikael Darmanie, and Greg Chudzik. FREE TIX with RSVP via DM or email to [email protected].

🎵 “Nice To Meet You” by King at LeeCI

Composers from tonight’s program work with the wonderful teaching artists from Musicambia, Carnegie Hall’s Musical Connections and Decoda’s Music for Transformation.

06/02/2026

We are thrilled to invite you to a very special musical evening at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Room on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7PM. This performance of ‘Music for Transformation: Songs from the Inside’ celebrates Decoda’s fourth annual concert featuring original songs and compositions written inside maximum-security prisons, supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Amplifying the voices of incarcerated composers, this free public concert will feature world premieres of original songs and compositions created by individuals currently and formerly incarcerated in maximum-security facilities across the United States.

For free admission, please reserve your spot by emailing [email protected].

03/18/2026

🎻 We loved our time in New Orleans this month!

In partnership with NOLA Chamber Fest and New Orleans Friends of Music, Decoda led masterclasses, shared an interactive community program, and performed a public concert—connecting with incredible young artists and audiences along the way.

Grateful for these collaborations and the chance to make music together in such a vibrant city. 💛
Decoda
Alicia Lee, clarinet
Stuart Breczinski, oboe Stuart Breczinski
Shelley Monroe, bassoon Shelley Monroe
Laura Weiner, horn
Elizabeth Joy Roe, piano Elizabeth Roe