Month: December 2022

Meet the Student: Q&A with Cellist Nygel Witherspoon

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Nygel Witherspoon, from Minneapolis, Minn., entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2019 and studies cello with Peter Wiley. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and Mr. Witherspoon is the Richard A. Doran Fellow.

 

 

What is your first musical memory as a child, and what circumstances led you to pick up the cello?
I grew up in a very musical household; my older brother and sister both began taking music lessons when I was around two years old. Personally, I don’t remember much from that time, but my first teacher recounted that I used to hum violin repertoire at that age (my older sister played violin). Shortly thereafter, I began taking violin lessons. This lasted for a few months before I told my mother I wanted to play “the big one,” by which I meant the cello, and then began taking cello lessons at age three.

Could you share a few inspirational moments you have experienced since you arrived at Curtis?
Honestly, it’s difficult to pick out a few specific moments since my entire time here has been massively inspirational on the whole. I remember, though, when I first stepped into the 1726 building on the day of my audition; that was the most nervous I have been for anything music-related in my life! But everyone there that day—the students I met, as well as my fellow auditionees—was so kind and so dedicated to music that I was immediately immersed in this world. Indeed, the world here at Curtis has a way of separating itself from the world outside (figuratively and, to some degree, literally, too!). The environment here is something quite special and something which has changed my life by no small measure.

Mr. Witherspoon discusses his instrument and plays a few selections in the Schubert Club Music Museum.

Who are some of your musical idols?
From a cellistic standpoint, someone who I have always admired is [the late] Emanuel Feuermann (who, coincidentally, taught here at Curtis). There is something about the ease of his approach to the instrument that is quite mesmerizing and which I have striven to emulate myself.

From a musical standpoint, however, I greatly respect my teacher here, Mr. Wiley, who continues to urge me to explore new possibilities in music. Something he has quoted to me, which really resonates with me, is that “we are humans first, musicians second, and instrumentalists last.” This has been very inspirational to me as I continue striving to develop myself as a person and musician.

Mr. Witherspoon received first prize at the Sphinx Competition Junior Division in 2019. 

When you are not playing the cello, what are some of your hobbies and interests?
Something I really enjoy is spending time outdoors. Being from Minnesota, I have fond memories of summers spent on the northern shore of Lake Superior, which is one of my favorite places to visit. I also have two dogs and a cat at home, who I love spending time with when I’m home for breaks.

What advice do you have for aspiring young cellists who might be on the fence about pursuing a performance career?
Music is a human endeavor. To those aspiring musicians, I would say that there is only something to be gained from giving it a shot. While this is quite a competitive field, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that music is something to be celebrated and a wonderful thing to be a part of!

Meet the Student: Q&A with Soprano Shikta Mukherjee

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Soprano Shikta Mukherjee, from Edison, N.J., entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2022 and studies voice with adjunct faculty member Julia Faulkner. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and Ms. Mukherjee is the Charles and Judith Freyer Fellow.

 

 

What inspired you to pursue a career in opera and classical voice?
After beginning to take voice lessons in elementary school out of mere interest, I was immediately thrown into the world of opera and classical music, and I couldn’t help but love it. Over the years, this interest bloomed more and more. Yet, it wasn’t until I reached high school that I realized just how much the craft meant to me. Singing wasn’t just a mere hobby; rather, I couldn’t imagine devoting my life to doing anything else.

Prior to Curtis, you participated in the Juilliard School’s Pre-College Voice division and Westminster Conservatory’s young artist program. How did you hear about Curtis, and what excites you the most about being here?
I first heard about Curtis when I entered the Juilliard Pre-College Program! My mentors always spoke about it in high regard as one of the best places a singer could end up after high school. Since then, I’ve always dreamt about being here, and fortunately enough, I get to be here. I would say what excites me the most about being at Curtis is the immense opportunity it offers every single one of its students. From the world-class teachers, amazing group of peers, and endlessly diverse performances, the opportunity this school offers its students is simply unmatched.

What are your non-musical hobbies?
Aside from music, some things I love to do are hike and cook! Hiking is absolutely my favorite way to de-stress away from the world, whether it be alone, with family, or with friends. I also love the challenge of leveling up hiking difficulties and trail lengths over time! Cooking is something I also love to do in my free time, especially when experimenting with new recipes and cuisines. It almost feels like I’m putting together a puzzle with a delicious end result.

Tell us about one of your most memorable performance experiences?
I would have to say my most memorable performance experience was my senior recital. Though I’d previously performed often, this was the first time I put on a recital completely on my own. It was an extremely treasured experience for me, having all my loved ones and mentors in one room to celebrate my achievements at the end of the year. Acknowledging this, the height of emotion I felt during this performance was really indescribable.

Meet the Student: Q&A with Composer Leigha Amick

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Leigha Amick, from Boulder, Colorado, entered the Curtis Institute of Music in 2021 and studies composition with Richard Danielpour, Nick DiBerardino, Jonathan Bailey Holland, Amy Beth Kirsten, and Steven Mackey. All students at Curtis receive merit-based, full-tuition scholarships, and Ms. Amick is the Jimmy Brent Fellow.

 

 

Before coming to Curtis, you studied composition at Indiana University and completed minors in mathematics and electronic music. What led you to pursue a career as a classical composer?

I’ve been making up melodies ever since I can remember, but it was in middle school when I realized that I could major in composition at music summer camp, so I wrote a string orchestra piece, took composition lessons at summer camp, and then sought out further opportunities to compose once I returned home.

How did your interest in electronics arise?

At IU, electronic music was one of the courses from which we could choose to fulfill a graduation requirement. I took it to fulfill the requirement, but promptly fell in love with how many parameters of music and sound I could use to sculpt an electronic piece, so I added it as a minor.

What/who inspires you as a composer?

I find inspiration in math and patterns, the natural world, and how technology shapes our lives. Musically, I love Bach, Richard Strauss, and Ligeti, just to name a few. Outside of classical music, I spent a lot of time with Irish traditional music through playing in live sessions and through competing in Irish dance.

What do you look forward to most in your graduate studies here at Curtis?

One of the best parts about being at Curtis is the chance to collaborate with such incredible classmates. It’s a joy to make music with people who are not only technically brilliant but also are thoughtful musicians and great people. I also love the opportunity to work with the full orchestra each year!

You are a violinist, a soprano, and an opera and instrumental composer, but what other interests do you have beyond your musical endeavors?

I grew up in Colorado and spent a lot of time hiking and skiing in the mountains, and for many years I competed in Irish step dance. I no longer dance, so these days when I’m not in the mountains I enjoy weightlifting, reading, and baking sourdough.

Discussions about gender disparity and racial justice have advanced efforts to bring more diversity to classical music and amplify female and non-binary voices, but progress has been slow. What are your thoughts on the current climate of women in composition, and what do you hope listeners will take away from experiencing your music?

My hope is that we as listeners, audience-goers, and programmers of music can hear, appreciate, and program music by all people without gender bias. I feel grateful that ever since I was a little girl, my parents supported my interest in composition and I think that one of the most important ways to create change in this area is for young people to be offered the encouragement, opportunity, and mentorship to compose regardless of background or gender.

Visit Leigha Amick’s official website HERE. Photography by Kirsten Boyer.

Jennifer Koh Named Artistic Director of Fortas Chamber Music Concerts

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This week, Deborah Rutter and the Kennedy Center announced that Curtis alumna Jennifer Koh (’02) has been appointed artistic director of the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts. Ms. Koh steps into the role following the late Joseph Kalichstein, who passed away in March 2022. Her appointment, effective immediately, extends into spring 2026, and her first full season of programming will be during the 2024–25 season.

Recognized for her dazzling virtuosity and technical prowess, Jennifer Koh is a GRAMMY Award-winning violin soloist, a champion for living composers, and a strong advocate for marginalized musicians in the classical music industry. Her association with the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts at the Kennedy Center began in 2013, when she presented a program, Two x Four (four works for two violins), with her mentor Jamie Laredo and the Curtis Chamber Orchestra, which included a work by David Serkin Ludwig (Composition ’01). Additionally, Ms. Koh performed the world premiere of Missy Mazzoli’s Violin Concerto (Procession) in February 2022 with the National Symphony Orchestra.

Learn more about Jennifer Koh HERE, and learn more about her appointment in The Strad.

Read a Curtis interview with Ms. Koh focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion HERE.

Visit the Fortas Chamber Music Concert at the Kennedy Center page HERE.

Photos of Jennifer Koh by Jürgen Frank, courtesy of Opus 3 Artists and Shuman Associates.

Andrew Lane Named by Musical America to the “2022 Top 30 Professionals of the Year” List

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Andrew Lane, vice president of touring and artist management at Curtis, has been honored by Musical America as one of the 2022 Top 30 Professionals of the Year. He joins an esteemed group of “resilient warriors,” including CEOs, general and artistic directors, scholars, professors, conductors, musicians, and more, who confronted the daunting uncertainty of the pandemic and its effect on the performing arts, and navigated the aftermath through game-changing innovative efforts. Read Musical America‘s special report profile on Mr. Lane.

Since 2013, Mr. Lane has been the driving force behind Curtis on Tour, the school’s Nina von Maltzahn global touring initiative. Based on Curtis’s guiding philosophy of “learning by doing,” the program has significantly expanded its performance reach to more than 375 concerts in over 20 countries and 100 cities across four continents. Through his inspirational efforts, Curtis has broadened its digital and physical footprint and forged lasting partnerships with institutions across the globe.

Under Mr. Lane’s leadership, the initiative has seen the Curtis Symphony Orchestra tour Europe (2017), the U.S. East Coast (2020), along with regular tours of smaller ensembles throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Curtis on Tour has led to professional performance engagements for Curtis students and alumni, including several notable debuts with major orchestras and concert presenters. In the spring of 2023, the Curtis Symphony Orchestra season will culminate in its first U.S. West Coast tour with conductor Osmo Vänskä and piano soloist Yefim Bronfman.

Throughout the pandemic, Mr. Lane oversaw Curtis’s successful virtual tours, which offered audiences in the U.S. and abroad access to the school’s performances and educational offerings. With COVID-19 continuing to surge, he launched Curtis’s artist management initiative, which currently represents the GRAMMY-nominated Dover Quartet, 2022 Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient pianist Michelle Cann, and the critically acclaimed Trio Zimbalist.

Before joining the staff of Curtis, Mr. Lane worked at Opus 3 Artists, where he booked chamber music and orchestral engagements for many of the world’s most distinguished classical music artists, from emerging talent to acclaimed artists such as Yefim Bronfman and Jonathan Biss. He previously held an administrative post at the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Newnan, Georgia, Mr. Lane received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Mercer University and a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from Texas Tech University.

Photo: (L-R) Andrew Lane, Mark Rubenstein, Nina Baroness von Maltzahn, and a music teacher at Fundación Retoño Uruguay.