Violinist Scott Tixier on Studying Jazz Music on a Conservatory Track
Jazz violinist Scott Tixier describes why the phrase “classically trained” doesn't need to be such a defining measure of musical accomplishment.
September 2018
Shanghai Orchestra Academy Taps International Principal Players in Cutting-Edge Curriculum
By Cristina Schreil It’s the second day of spring in Shanghai. China’s thriving financial hub pulses with its usual activity: cargo boats zip along the Huangpu River; shoppers clutter posh commercial thoroughfares; scooters bolt through traffic. Down in the Shanghai…
Eastman Cello Professor Steven Doane on the Lessons for His Incoming Students
By Sarah Freiberg Cellist and pedagogue Steven Doane has received prizes for his teaching from both the New England Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music, where he is currently professor of violoncello. He is known for emphasizing how to…
The Eclectic Musical World of Lucia Micarelli
By Greg Cahill Ask Lucia Micarelli about her knack for eclectic programming and the soft-spoken, classically trained violinist offers a characteristically modest response. “I don’t think it’s a big deal anymore, because so many people are playing around with all…
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Violinist Tessa Lark Delivers Corigliano’s ‘Red Violin: Suite’ with Gusto
By Brian Wise It’s not often that a violinist performs a significant piece of American music in New York’s Central Park as its composer is seated steps away, among passing skateboarders, joggers, birds, and several hundred other listeners. But that…
In Many Ensembles, the Concertmaster Role Is Shared Between Two (or More) Violinists
By Brian Wise During Benjamin Bowman’s trial season (2017–18) as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera, he quickly had to adjust to the fact that he would be sharing his role with another concertmaster: David Chan, an 18-year veteran in the ensemble.…
Traditional Conservatories Offer Specialized Tracks for the 21st-Century Performer
By Cristina Schreil Often, conservatories are associated with philosophies from years past: intensive artistic training that’s anchored in years of tradition. This hardly means that conservatory programs aren’t looking to the future. For Eden MacAdam-Somer, a department co-chair at the…