Posts for category ‘Faculty News’

Sariva Goetz

Last year was my first summer as Program Director for the Music and Arts program and the Summer Musical Theatre program at the Conservatory. I had such a good time getting to know the kids and the parents, as well as my colleagues at the Conservatory and I was extremely pleased with how both programs turned out. I am looking forward to this summer and I am excited about some of the changes we are making to the programs.

MUSIC AND ARTS
The Music and Arts program is for kids ages 6 to 11. Coming into the program, each child picks a “major.” They have a choice of piano, guitar, violin or cello and this summer we are adding a Creative Dramatics option for those children who would rather study acting than take a group instrument lesson. Creative Dramatics covers basic stagecraft like how to make yourself heard onstage and how to use your body. It also unleashes the imagination as kids learn how to create characters and tell stories. They’ll participate in theatre games and improvisations and also work on scripted skits and scenes. Read more »

Ming Fong

Established and directed by our own piano faculty Ming Fong since 2004, Beijing International Music Festival & Academy (BIMFA) was the first and still the only annual international summer music festival of its kind today in China. Now in its 5^th anniversary, the festival will take place to celebrate this summer from August 11 to 24, 2010 in the historic capital of Beijing. Open to Pianists, String Players and Flutists of all nationalities, including young professionals, amateurs and auditors, BIMFA brings together established performing artists and pedagogues from around the world in a unique collaboration in music to promote high-level teaching, performance and cultural harmony.

The program offers Individual Lessons, Master Classes, Chamber Music/Ensemble Coaching, Concerto Competition, Student Performance and Concert Series by artist-faculty in addition to the multiple cultural excursions in the ancient Chinese capital. It promises to be an exceptional experience in both music and culture for young musicians seeking to explore their fullest potentials in life. Please visit website for complete details: www.bimfa.org

MCW’s Elliot Magaziner will perform with soloist Lyn Christie on April 25 at 2 p.m. Manhattanville College’s Reid Castle. The event is free and open to the public.

Nick Mangini

Nick Mangini is a familiar name at the Conservatory – he attended MCW as a student and has been teaching here for more than 30 years, having founded the Conservatory’s drum set program. Many of his students have gone on to college for performance and music education, and have been awarded scholarships.  As a performer, Mangini has recorded and toured with such greats as Wynton Marsalis, Hank Jones, Carmine Leggio, Jose Feliciano, Ronnie Spector, Felix Cavalerie, and Liberty Devitto. Nick is also a member of the R&B rock band The All Stars.

What inspires you as a musician?
Hearing and listening to good music.

What are some of your most memorable experiences as a rock drummer, and who are some of the artists you’ve performed with?
I would have to say my most memorable experience was my first time playing in Madison Square Garden. I was playing drums with Ronnie Spector.  At the rehearsals at S.I.R.studios in NYC, I was sitting behind the drums and in walks Liberty Devitto, one of my favorite rock drummers who played on all of Billy Joel’s great hits. As I stand up to move away from the drum set (thinking that he would be playing drums), Liberty says to me, “Stay on the drums. I am here to play percussion.“ Wow! How cool is that? Me and Liberty playing together – what fun. When we played the show at MSG there were 19,000 people in the audience. The sound system was unbelievably great, and playing with good musicians in the band….. man ….. we were rocking. At the end of the show, I asked Liberty to sign his rock drum book for me, and this is what he wrote: “To Nick.  Maybe someday you will play shakers in my band ……God Bless, Liberty.” Read more »

Coming soon, the MCW blog launches its Q&A series with its faculty.

Stay tuned here.

Kudos to MCW faculty Barbara Podgurski, June Hyun and Loren Demspter for their wonderful performance on Nov. 13!  Next Live on Central concert is Dec. 11. For more info, visit here.

MCW piano faculty member Renee Guerrero will perform as part of a two-piano team accompanying the world premiere of Anton Coppola ‘transformation’ of Puccini’s “Edgar”  Saturday evening, Oct. 31, at the Danny Kaye Playhouse in NYC.

Photo/Pinsky Studio
Cindi Hsu has been chosen to receive an ASCAPLUS Award from the Amercian Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Awards are granted by an independent panel based on the value of each writer’s original compositions catalog and performances.

Pinsky Studio
Elliot Magaziner (violin/viola MCW Faculty) will be conducting the Manhattanville College-Community Orchestra on Saturday, December 5th , at 2:00 PM in a concert featuring Flora Kuan as soloist in the Mendelssohn Piano Concerto #1. Admission is free.

The 2009-2010 “Live on Central” series kicks off with June Hyun, violin and Barbara Podgurski, piano. Literature from different periods and nationalities with a focus on repertoire not often performed. Tickets are $15 or $10 for senior citizens and students. The event is free for MCW students and faculty. Get your tickets here.