Checking in on Curtis Summerfest

In June, adult musicians spent a long weekend at Curtis, participating in coachings and chamber rehearsals, as well as performing together in a program-wide orchestra led by David Hayes. Pianists performed solo works for each other in an evening workshop with Amy Yang.

Then, singers and harpists descended on Curtis for a pair of nearly simultaneous programs! At the Elizabeth Hainen Harp Colony, young participants performed in master classes and ensembles, with an eye towards preparing for careers in music, while adult harpists joined in to reconnect to the legacy of Salzedo Harp Colony. The colony’s mock audition proved particularly helpful as two participants went on to win Lyon & Healy awards later in the summer.

Meanwhile, young singers were participating in their own master classes as part of the Young Artist Voice Program, a two-week program where the singers spent time with faculty who work with professionals—discovering conservatory life and what it really means to be a professional opera singer. Singers studied privately with Curtis faculty, including director of Curtis Opera Theatre Mikael Eliasen.

As June came to a close, harpists made way for flutists, as Jeffrey Khaner Flute Festival commenced. Students participated in an intense schedule of master classes with Jeffrey Khaner, as well as sessions on the intersection of musical and mental skills with Carolyn Christie, and instrument maintenance skills with Yamaha’s Tomoji Hirakata.

Be sure to stay tuned over the next few weeks as the Young Artist Summer Program gets under way! For more from Curtis Summerfest, follow @CurtisSummerfest on Instagram, and @Summer_atCurtis on Twitter!