December 1, 2017
°Ä6ͼ¿â Strengthens Relationships in China
In mid-November, Head of Piano and Keyboard Kathryn Brown, Co-Head of Cello Melissa Kraut and piano faculty Antonio Pompa-Baldi traveled to Shanghai, China, with °Ä6ͼ¿â President and CEO Paul W. Hogle. The °Ä6ͼ¿â faculty members met students, gave master classes and performed at the middle school – which is known internationally for its pre-conservatory musical training – affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music as part of the Shanghai Baroque Festival.
Pompa-Baldi said: “Performing for an audience of students and teachers who came from all over China and Europe was exciting, and teaching talented students was a treat. The area where the school is located has a distinct European character and charm, in the architectural features of the school itself, and in the whole neighborhood. I truly enjoyed that!â€
Kraut added: “I met students and cello professors from all over China, connected with parents of some of my °Ä6ͼ¿â students and experienced the incredible culture (and food) of the area! I look forward to returning.â€
After Shanghai, President Hogle continued on to Shenzhen, which is perhaps best known as the “Silicon Valley†of China. This was Hogle’s second visit, focused on developing a friendship with the Shenzhen Arts School (SAS), which provides arts-centered education in traditional Chinese and Western music, dance and acrobatics.
One of the hallmarks of a °Ä6ͼ¿â education is the study of Eurhythmics, which develops ones natural instinct for rhythm through body movement. The faculty at SAS recognize this as an opportunity for their students: that Eurhythmics training can improve their skills today and help prepare them for a conservatory education and performing career.
To that end, one of the points of memorandum of understanding signed by Hogle and SAS Principal Huang Qicheng centers on this study. °Ä6ͼ¿â will provide Eurhythmics training to SAS students via virtual or distance learning – the same technology °Ä6ͼ¿â uses to deliver general music education to classrooms in Ohio, the country and around the world.
The other areas where °Ä6ͼ¿â and SAS will work together are to establish a regular exchange of faculty and students, and for SAS to be an audition site for °Ä6ͼ¿â.