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. For more information, go to the Princeton String Academy website.

Free Late Summer Concerts - September 11 and 12 Princeton - August 2, 2004 Princeton String Academy violin and viola students will give two free informal concerts in September. A 30-minute outdoor performance will be given beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 11 at the West Windsor Farmers' Market. An indoor concert will be given the next day beginning at 1:30 at Acorn Glen, 775 Mt. Lucas Road in Princeton. The Farmers' Market is located at the Princeton Junction train station Vaughn Drive parking lot. "Playing for an audience gives students a chance to share their accomplishments and the joy of music. Many of our students have been away, attending summer institutes and workshops. The Farmers' Market concert will give them an opportunity to show what they've learned," said Music Director Paul Manulik. "Our performance at Acorn Glen is part of their celebration of Grandparents Day and kicks off their Assisted Living Week festivities." Princeton String Academy with 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 are taught in private lessons and take part in chamber music and theory classes. The private school was founded in 2000 and has an enrollment of approximately 50 students. For more information, go to the Princeton String Academy website.

Director Paul Manulik is Guest Clinician at Central Pennsylvania String Institute Princeton - July 19, 2004 Music Director Paul Manulik has been selected as a guest clinician during the weeklong Central Pennsylvania String Institute July 26 - 30. He will teach advanced violin students in books six and seven and viola students through book four in daily private lessons and master classes. In addition, Mr. Manulik will perform a movement from Märchenbilder by Robert Schumann at a July 27 faculty recital. The Institute is held at Millersville University in south central Pennsylvania. "Institutes rekindle students' interest in playing because through socializing with other young musicians they begin to see themselves as violinists or violists, not just as someone who takes music lessons. The incredible energy created at an Institute invigorates their playing," said Mr. Manulik. "The kids have a great time, and I always find myself rejuvenated as well." Classes at the String Institute include a teen chamber music program, three orchestras, advanced violin techniques, Irish and traditional fiddling, and jazz improvisation. In addition to private and master lessons, students will take part in group-class performances, repertoire class, solo recital and a grand concert. Approximately 150 students attend the Institute. Princeton String Academy with 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 are taught in private lessons and take part in chamber music and theory classes. The private school was founded in 2000 and has an enrollment of approximately 50 students. For more information, go to the Princeton String Academy website.

Princeton String Academy Announces New Chamber Music Program Princeton - March 30, 2004 The Princeton String Academy continues to expand its program with the introduction of a new chamber music study week. The new Chamber Week program is an intensive study of chamber music, with each student taking part in a small ensemble. Chamber Week culminates in a concert April 30 at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Dutch Neck, 154 South Mill Road. An informal reception follows the free performance. “Students play to the level we expect them to achieve, so it’s important that we continue to challenge them with new expectations. Chamber music playing requires them to learn to be s ensitive to what the other players are playing, as well as to their own intonation and rhythm, and simultaneously, to be independent in the playing of their own musical line,” explained Music Director Paul Manulik. Students are matched according to playing level and experience in quartets, trios and small choirs. “We have already begun preparing for Chamber Week so the players have time to learn their parts. That way, when they come together for rehearsals during Chamber Week, they can focus on making their music come together as a piece where the lead voice shifts from player to player, much like a drama on stage.” Mr. Manulik said. This is the first chamber music performance given by the school. “We’re looking forward to sharing our premiere chamber concert with those who already enjoy this type of music, and to introducing chamber music to new listeners,” said Mr. Manulik. Princeton String Academy hosts two formal recitals each year, plus informal concerts presented in various settings around the community. Princeton String Academy with 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 are taught in private lessons and take part in chamber music and theory classes. The private school was founded in 2000 and has an enrollment of approximately 50 students. For more information, go to the Princeton String Academy website.

Violinist Jeffrey Kuan Wins Prestigious JCC Thurnauer School Audition Princeton - February 9, 2004 Seven-year-old violinist Jeffrey Kuan has won a statewide audition for the Sylvia and Jacob Handler Violin Masterclass music workshop to be given Monday, March 8 by concert artist Todd Phillips. He will be one of eight students who will perform for the master class hosted by the JCC Thurnauer School of Music in Tenafly. Jeffrey is the son of Lihua Yeh and Chikuang (Andy) Kuan of Princeton and a student of Paul Manulik, music director for the Princeton String Academy. For his audition on February 1, Jeffrey performed the third movement of the Concerto in A minor by Antonio Vivaldi. He began studying the instrument at age four with Mr. Manulik and is now a second grader at Maurice Hawk elementary school in Princeton Junction. Mr. Phillips is currently a leading violinist with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and a member of the Orion String Quartet, currently in residence with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The JCC Thurnauer School of Music enjoys a reputation as one of the New York Metropolitan area's premier community music schools. It serves nearly 800 students and has a faculty of more than 60 distinguished teaching artists. To be eligible to audition for the master class, students must live in New Jersey and study with a teacher who lives and teaches in the state. Several hundred music students, parents and professional musicians are expected to attend the annual music workshop. There, students at advance playing levels perform solos and receive individual instruction from the concert artist in front of the audience. Typically both those playing and students in the audience learn how to improve their playing skills. Since making his solo debut at age 13 with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Mr. Phillips has performed as guest artist with leading orchestras throughout North America, Europe, and Japan. He has appeared at the Mostly Mozart, Ravinia, Santa Fe, Marlboro, and Spoleto Festivals, and has participated in sixteen “Musicians from Marlboro” tours. He has collaborated with such renowned artists as Rudolf Serkin, Jaime Laredo, Richard Stoltzman, Peter Serkin. Mr. Phillips began violin studies at age four with his father, Eugene Phillips, a composer and former violinist with the Pittsburgh Symphony, and later with Sally Thomas at the Julliard School and Sandor Vegh at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He serves on the faculties of the Mannes College of Music and the Isaac Stern Chamber Music Workshop at Carnegie Hall. The JCC Thurnauer School of Music offers private instruction in piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion and voice; group instrumental classes; theory, ear-training, eurythmics and music history classes; and participation in instrumental, choral, chamber music, and jazz ensembles. A full member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, the school also presents over 30 concerts annually and produces special educational events including master classes with world-renowned artists. Thurnauer students have performed at Lincoln Center, in Carnegie Hall, on the PBS television series Sesame Street, in the PBS special, Itzhak Perlman: Fiddling for the Future, in the feature film Music of the Heart, and with such renowned artists as Pinchas Zukerman, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Bell and Paquito D'Rivera. Princeton String Academy with 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 are taught in private lessons and take part in chamber music and theory classes. The private school was founded in 2000 and has an enrollment of approximately 50 students. For more information, go to the Princeton String Academy website.

Violist Sharif Labban Plays Principal for Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey Princeton - January 12, 2004 Sharif Labban, 11, a viola student at the Princeton String Academy, has been named principal violist for the Pro Arte Orchestra, one of three Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey orchestras performing January 17. The YOCJ program, under the direction of Conductor John Enz, begins at 6 p.m. at the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North campus. The Pro Arte Orchestra is for students in grades five through eight, “who have the age, the orchestral experience and the expertise to play at least the first through fifth positions on their instruments,” explains Enz. Auditions were held in the fall and included solo piece, scales and sight reading. “Viola is certainly not as well known an instrument as the violin, but is every bit as challenging an instrument to play. Many students prefer its somewhat lower and more mellow sound, compared to the violin, and they find they have many more playing opportunities, largely because there are so few good violists in this area,” said Paul Manulik, Princeton String Academy music director. Sharif is a sixth grade student at the Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart. He began his music studies at age four, and became a violin student of Paul Manulik at age eight. He began studying the viola with Mr. Manulik in the summer of 2003. In addition to his responsibilities with the Pro Arte Orchestra, Sharif plays in the Princeton String Academy Viola Choir and is part of the music ministry at Queenship of Mary Church in Plainsboro. Conductor Phillip Pugh will lead the Pro Arte Orchestra in “Hoedown” from Aaron Copeland’s Rodeo for string orchestra, Orchestral Suite No. 3 by J.S. Bach and then will combine with the YOCJ Wind Symphony to perform The Overture to the Barber of Seville by Gioacchino Rossini. Also performing Saturday night will be the String Preparatory Orchestra, for fourth through sixth grade students, and the Wind Symphony, both under the direction of Mr. Pugh. The Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey includes approximately 200 qualified instrumentalists from New Jersey and Pennsylvania performing in a full Symphonic Orchestra, two string orchestras, the Pro Arte Orchestra and the String Preparatory Orchestra, and the Wind Symphony. In addition, YOCJ offers a Saxophone Choir, Brass Choir, and Percussion Ensemble. YOCJ performs winter and spring concerts, usually in January and May. Princeton String Academy with 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 are taught in private lessons and take part in chamber music and theory classes. The private school was founded in 2000 and has an enrollment of approximately 50 students. For more information, go to the Princeton String Academy website.

New Jersey State Youth Orchestra Names as Concertmaster Princeton String Academy Student Zach Klopman Princeton - January 6, 2004 When the New Jersey State Youth Orchestra Preparatory Symphony Orchestra performs January 22, its concertmaster will be the young seven-year-old Princeton String Academy student Zachery Klopman. He is the youngest student ever to earn the role for the Preparatory Symphony Orchestra. One of three State Youth Orchestras, the Preparatory Orchestra is for young string players in grade 2 or beyond. The 7:30 p.m. concert will be conducted by Julia Tibbet at Red Bank Regional High School, 101 Ridge Road in Little Silver. Zach is the son of Rob and Amy Klopman of Mansfield. He began studying with Princeton String Academy music director Paul Manulik at the age of 3 1/2 and has developed a repertoire of classical pieces including concerti by Vivaldi, Telemann and Seitz. “The credit for this accomplishment belongs to Zach for his hard work, and to his parents, particularly his mother Amy, who supports his interest by working well with him in daily practice,” said Mr. Manulik. “Zach is one of several of our students who has made impressive progress and is developing into a fine player.” Auditions included solo performance, sight-reading and scales and were held in early September for the 35-piece string orchestra. Seat placements were later determined by the conductor’s e valuation of each student’s playing level, according to Conductor Tibbet. Musical interest runs in the family. Zach’s brother, Andrew, 5, has been playing viola for 18 months. Sister Grace has just started viola lessons at age 3 1/2. All three are students of the Princeton String Academy. The school 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. The New Jersey State Youth Orchestra provides outstanding young musicians with an opportunity to play classical and semi-classical music in a disciplined orchestral setting. The NJSYO is a non-profit organization open to student musicians between the ages of 7 and 18. Princeton String Academy with 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 are taught in private lessons and take part in chamber music and theory classes. The private school was founded in 2000 and has an enrollment of approximately 50 students. For more information, go to the Princeton String Academy website.