Hashtag Ensemble is a classical music ensemble that was founded in 2015 by a group of young musicians who shared a passion for contemporary classical music. The ensemble is based in New York City and is known for its innovative and dynamic performances that blend classical music with other genres such as jazz, rock, and electronic music. The founding members of Hashtag Ensemble were violinist Yoon Sun Choi, cellist Hannah Levinson, and pianist Daniel Anastasio. All three musicians had studied classical music at prestigious institutions such as the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, but they were also interested in exploring new and unconventional approaches to classical music. The ensemble's name, Hashtag Ensemble, reflects its commitment to using social media and other digital platforms to connect with audiences and promote its performances. The hashtag symbol (#) is a common feature of social media, and the ensemble uses it to create a sense of community and engagement around its music. Since its founding, Hashtag Ensemble has performed at a variety of venues and festivals in the United States and abroad. Some of the ensemble's most notable performances include a concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the Millennium Stage series, and a performance at the National Sawdust venue in Brooklyn, New York. Hashtag Ensemble has also collaborated with a number of other musicians and artists, including jazz pianist Vijay Iyer, electronic musician Dan Deacon, and visual artist Kevork Mourad. These collaborations have allowed the ensemble to explore new sounds and styles, and to push the boundaries of what is possible in classical music. In addition to its performances, Hashtag Ensemble has also received a number of awards and accolades. In 2016, the ensemble was awarded a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, which helped to fund its performances and outreach activities. The ensemble has also been featured in a number of publications, including The New York Times, which praised its "adventurous spirit" and "impressive technical skills." One of the ensemble's most ambitious projects to date is its ongoing collaboration with composer and multimedia artist Paola Prestini. The project, titled "The Hubble Cantata," is a multimedia performance that combines live music, virtual reality, and a 360-degree video projection of images from the Hubble Space Telescope. The performance premiered at the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival in 2016, and has since been performed at a number of other venues and festivals. Hashtag Ensemble's commitment to innovation and experimentation has made it one of the most exciting and dynamic classical music ensembles of its generation. With its blend of classical music, jazz, rock, and electronic music, the ensemble is helping to redefine what classical music can be in the 21st century.

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