Acclaimed musician David Ying – cellist with the Grammy Award-winning Ying Quartet and faculty member at the Eastman School of Music – gave a masterclass at Hochstein in February for students in the Chamber Music Connection (CMC) program (see list of students below). Each group performed a movement or excerpt from their current repertoire, then were coached on it by Ying.
“Because of the excellent preparation each group had already done with their assigned coaches during weekly coaching sessions, Ying’s musical and artistic input during the class brought quick results and all in attendance could hear that the performers were brought to a new level,” said CMC Coordinator Doleen Hood. “It was an honor for the students to work with a world-class chamber musician and teacher and for the audience members to see the results!”
The first group, the Qoolest Quartet, performed the Allegro movement of Mozart’s Divertimento in D Major; the Carna Quartet followed with the fourth movement of Mozart’s String Quartet in B-flat Major; and the Emerald Trio played the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 2.
Ying was animated throughout the class, delivering helpful comments about how ensembles can meet the challenges of maintaining pulse and rhythm, communicating effectively across the ensemble, and sustaining energy throughout substantial movements. Above all, he focused on artistry, as the students were well prepared and ready for that advanced level of coaching.
Hochstein’s Chamber Music Connection program provides students with many opportunities throughout the year for masterclasses and performances. Ying mentioned that he was very glad young musicians have this opportunity in Rochester.
Congratulations to all the students who participated in this masterclass; to their coaches and teachers who prepared them to play; and to CMC Coordinator Doleen Hood for organizing the masterclass.
Click here to find out more about Hochstein's Chamber Music Connection.
Qoolest Quartet
Youyou Wu, violin – grade 8, student of Katie Worley
Eden Shin, violin – grade 7, student of Shannon Nance
Taylor Stocks, viola – grade 9, student of Megan Kemp
Oliver Hood, cello – grade 8, student of Kathleen Murphy Kemp
Miya Saito-Beckman, coach
Carna Quartet
Cailey Huang, violin – grade 10, student of Shannon Nance
Alyssa Yang, violin – grade 10, student of Virginia Wessel
Rishov Datta, viola – grade 12, student of Olita Povero
Nathan Bellinger, cello – grade 10, student of Kathleen Murphy Kemp
Aika Ito, coach
Emerald Trio
Benjamin Rosenhack, violin – grade 11, student of Aika Ito
Alina Ying, cello – grade 11, student of Ahrim Kim
Matthew Barry, piano – grade 12, student of Patricia Hanson
Joseph Werner, coach