The Princeton String Academy

String Academy Master Class With Violist Pamela Fay

 

PRINCETON - November 8, 2004 - Wister quartet violist Pamela Fay conducted a master class for students of the Princeton String Academy on Saturday, November 6. The event was the second in a series underwritten by the Princeton String Academy and held to foster development of young string players. Ms. Fay coached four violists during the class that was open to all students.

"Master classes expose young music students to great professional artists. They have the chance to learn from a terrific performer and to be critiqued on their own playing. Sometimes, they hear a new suggestion, and sometimes they are simply encouraged to continue efforts to correct an on-going problem with their playing or with that particular piece. Either way, both the students who perform, and those who are attending the class, learn more about how to play well," said Paul Manulik, Princeton String Academy music director.

Performing for the master class were violists Mrinalini Basu, daughter of Susanta and Rama Basu of Princeton Junction; Joe Burke, son of Christopher and Eileen Burke of Kendall Park; Johnathan Kuan, son of Lihua Yeh and Chikuang (Andy) Kuan of Princeton; and, Shariff Labban, son of Imad & Jane Labban of Princeton Junction.

Each student performed a prepared piece while Ms. Fay observed. She then provided suggestions and demonstrated her ideas for improving the performance. Each student was given time to study and practice the suggestions with Ms. Fay before playing the piece a second time, trying to incorporate her critique into the second playing.

In addition to her role with the Wister Quartet, Ms. Fay is a regular substitute with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Prior to coming to Philadelphia, she has been a member of the Vancouver, British Columbia, Symphony, the Toronto Symphony and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, Ontario. The Wister Quartet established its own Chamber series of concerts at the German Society of Pennsylvania in 1993 to feature both masterpiece and unusual or rarely played quartet literature. The Quartet has recorded for Direct-to-Tape Records and its first CD was nominated for a Grammy Award. In addition, the Quartet comprises the core of the popular Philadelphia chamber ensemble 1807 & Friends that performs at the Philadelphia Academy of Vocal Arts.

The master class began at 1:30 p.m. at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 177 Princeton-Hightstown Road in Princeton Junction.

Princeton String Academy, led by music director Paul Manulik, offers violin and viola instruction to students as young as three. Using the proven Suzuki Method that emphasizes development of natural talent, students study in both private lessons and weekly group classes. The private school was founded in 2000 and has an enrollment of approximately 50 students.

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