Alumni Gabriel Martins ’21 MM and Rainer Crosett ’15 Harvard/NEC Named Recipients of 2025 American Recital Debut Awards

The American Recital Debut Award Foundation has announced that cellists Gabriel Martins ’21 MM and Rainer Crosett ’15 Harvard/NEC are the 2025 recipients of its prestigious American Recital Debut Award. The honor recognizes their exceptional accomplishments and strong promise as emerging artists in the classical music world.

As part of the award, Martins and Crosett will each receive a high-profile recital opportunity at Carnegie Hall during the 2025–26 season, as well as professional mentorship and concert engagements over the following three years.

Established in 2023 by pianist and artistic administrator Victor Santiago Asunción in memory of his long-time chamber music partner, the late cellist Lynn Harrell, the award aims to support classical musicians poised to launch major performance careers.

Martins has previously earned top prizes from the Concert Artists Guild/Young Classical Artists Trust, the Sphinx Competition, and the David Popper International Cello Competition. He will perform his Carnegie Hall recital with Asunción, continuing the legacy of Lynn Harrell, whom Martins cites as a major influence.

Crosett was the first American to win the Pierre Fournier Award and is widely recognized for his expressive playing and interpretive depth. He credits the musical partnership between Harrell and Asunción as a model for his own artistry and views this award as a significant milestone in his career development.

Congratulations, Gabriel and Rainer, on this outstanding achievement!