INTENSIVE 2019
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KUROFUNE

Boston Violin Intensive



Daniel Kurganov, Director

August 26 - September 4, 2019
Boston, Massachusetts


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10 days of everything violin.

Are you preparing for concerts, competitions, orchestral or school auditions?
Do you want to boost your violin playing and musicianship?



This is an opportunity to study closely with acclaimed violinist Daniel Kurganov, who was a student of the Jascha Heifetz protégé Rudolf Koelman. Daniel is one of the only musicians in the world to have an internationally recognized performing and recording career while having started violin at the late age of 16. Learn his secrets for fast progress.



  • Receive at least 5 hours of private lessons
  • Class lessons and opportunities to perform and play mock auditions
  • Learn how to practice more efficiently
  • Work closely with a professional collaborative pianist
  • Workshops on Baroque techniques, Alexander Technique, self-promotion, and other vital topics
  • Access practice rooms virtually 24/7
  • Get valuable career and goal advice
  • Work on repertoire, technique, and orchestral excerpts
  • Receive Daniel's new violin method books and guides for free
  • Learn how to analyze and learn from great violinists and musicians
  • Enjoy the city of Boston and work within a small class of other passionate musicians


WATCH THE TRAILER:



DANIEL KURGANOV, Director





Russian-American Violinist Daniel Kurganov has emerged as a unique musical voice synthesizing values of different artistic eras. He has already garnered praise from such musical giants as Sergej Krylov, Ivry Gitlis and Rudolf Koelman, as well as from publications in the United States, Europe and Japan. 2018 saw a new album release with pianist Constantine Finehouse on the Spice Classics label. The disc, featuring masterworks of Brahms, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky and others, was met with positive reviews. Fanfare Magazine lauded Kurganov’s “smoldering intensity” and “ingratiatingly idiomatic violinistic personality. Kurganov’s and Finehouse's recital brings together a wide variety of styles, rendered with an effervescence and panache that earn it its recommendation.” ArtsFuse journal wrote “Kurganov gives a tour de force performance, superbly impassioned.” Some highlights of recent seasons include solo appearances with the New Hampshire Philharmonic and Canterbury Strings, performances at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Harvard Musical Association, and multiple concert tours of Japan with his chamber group “Kurofune Ensemble” and the Boston Chamber Orchestra. In Sion, Switzerland, Kurganov was invited to The Violins of Hope project, where he had the honor of performing on a violin rescued from Auschwitz. In Boston, Kurganov performs as a member of the Essex Chamber Players. He is also a passionate teacher, holding a private studio and leading workshops and masterclasses internationally. Daniel’s YouTube channel has over 6 million viewers, and he frequently writes on the topic of musical performance. Born in Minsk, Belarus, Kurganov grew up near Chicago and began his musical studies on the piano. He completed his studies at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) under Rudolf Koelman, protégé of the legendary Jascha Heifetz. Kurganov is also an alumnus of the Keshet Eilon International Mastercourse.



Details and fees



Application Requirements

Fill out the introductory form using the Apply link.

Submission of a representative video or audio recording is required with application. Youtube links are preferred.​ All ages are welcome to apply.


Fees

$1200 for the Full Course.

This includes the fee for all lessons, masterclasses, and work with accompanist August 26th - September 4th


Merit & need-based scholarships are available.


An Extended Course is available for those who would like extra lessons through September 9th. Partial participation is also available. This can be discussed privately.


A $200 deposit is required to reserve your spot. The remainder of the fee is to be paid on July 1.


No application fee!


Housing and Meals

Housing and meals are the participant's responsibility. We will provide suggestions for affordable Airbnbs in which students can all stay together.


Languages spoken:

English, Russian, German, Chinese, Spanish


Contact:

Questions?

Email: violinintensive@gmail.com

Call: 773-666-3241


CONTACT US
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faculty



JenTao Yu, piano



Collaborative Pianist



Dr.JenTao Yu, born in Taiwan, has been described as “elegantly, tastefully Viennese style interpretation” by New York Times critique David Dubal for his performance of Franz Schubert’s piano impromptu D. 946. Martha Argerich also commented “ Very good, interesting interpretation” for his private salon concert in Boston 2018.


Dr.Yu has won numerous prizes, includes: First Prize winner of 2018 Concert Artists Intern ational Virtuoso Competition, Honorable Prize for BU Richmond Piano Competition, First Prize for China Xinhai National Music Competition Suzhou Division etc. Yu concertizes internationally, giving both solo and chamber concerts in venues of Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, Beijing National performing center, Taipei National Concert Hall. Yu has toured cities including New York, Boston, Milan, Beijing,Taipei, Macau.


A classical music artist whose passion for his art form inspires him to engage in modes of communicating with populations not usually associated with classical music, in 2014, Dr.Yu decided to join the military navy band in Taiwan for a year, where he was in charge of organizing/performing concerts for military general’s meetings, as well as doing military training aside from performing duties. Dr.Yu is also a regular performer for Boston University Off-campus outreach concert, where it connect musicians to give free concerts with nursing homes, public schools, elderly home care in Boston area.


As a frequent music festivals visitor, Dr.Yu was invited to give solo concerts in Italy Bardonecchia music Festival, New York Summit Festival, Manhattan School of Music Festival, France Music Alp Festival. As a guest artist, he was invited to give solo concerts in Milan, Italy by Fazioli Pianoforti.


In addition to solo performance, Yu also performs extensively for chamber music. Performing experience includes: Appointed Artistic Director for the Summer Vocal Festival in Manhattan School of Music in 2014, performed opera scenes and Broadway Music with faculty member of the festival; Department Chamber Pianist of Manhattan School of Music Preparatory School.


In 2014, Yu was invited to gave lectures and master classes in JiangXi Province, China. In the summer of 2018, Yu was appointed the Principle Judge Member for 2018 XinHai National Piano Competition and 2018 First China- US International Youth Music Competition. in Summer of 2019, Yu joins the faculty of Music camp Encore/Coda held in Maine.


His upcoming events including 2019 Art&Science Multiverse project in Planetarium of Boston Museum of Science, Faculty Pianist of 2019 Boston Violin Intensive Music Festival, Judge Board of 2020 China-US International Youth Music Competition in Beijing.


Yu was a former Assistant Piano Instructor in Music Department of Boston University, he also teaches piano in YAMAHA Music School of Boston.


Jentao Yu received his Master of Piano Performance degree from Manhattan School of Music under pianist Jeffrey Cohen, Doctoral of Musical Art degree from Boston University under Pavel Nersessian. Yu has received piano master classes from pianist Martha Argerich, Stephen Hough, Nelita True, Jeffrey Swann, Arkady Aronov.



Matthew Vera, violin



Violin, ORCHESTRAL SKILLS



Violinist​ ​Matthew​ ​Vera​, is known for his versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral leader and teacher. A member of the Boston Philharmonic’s first violin section since 2010, he recently stepped in as guest concertmaster to perform Ein Heldenleben to critical acclaim: “​Playing with pure tone, terrific character, and not a bit of hesitation, Vera delivered an account of the solo part that was wholly captivating”. (Boston Arts Fuse); “​Matthew Vera projected non-stop, drop-dead gorgeous tone, alternately flippant and ravishing, as directed. A virtual golden spotlight enwreathed him in laurels.” ​(The Boston Musical Intelligencer) Matthew is a violinist with Castle of our Skins, a concert and educational series dedicated to celebrating Black artistry through music. Chamber music and orchestral leadership are majors parts of Matthew’s career, performing at festivals including The Tanglewood Music Center, The Heifetz Institute, The National Symphony Summer Music Institute, The Brevard Music Center, The Green Mountain Music Festival and more. He has performed in many prestigious concert venues including The Royal Concertgebouw, Boston’s Symphony Hall, NEC’s Jordan Hall, and Carnegie’s Weill Hall. In his early years, Matthew was featured on the PBS radio show “From the Top” where he played Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with the Buffalo Philharmonic. Matthew made his solo debut on the viola with the Tucson Philharmonia at age 14. He has appeared as soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic, The Tucson Philharmonia, The Tucson Symphony, The World Youth Symphony Orchestra and The New England Conservatory Symphony. A native of Tucson AZ, Matthew is a graduate of The New England Conservatory where he studied with James Buswell, Lucy Chapman, and Donald Weilerstein.



Constantine Finehouse, pianist



Musicianship



Praised by Rhein Main Presse Allgemeine Zeitung for his "interpretations of depth and maturity,” Constantine Finehouse has performed extensively in the US and abroad. His album with cellist Sebastian Baverstäm features music by Brahms and Boston composer Tony Schemmer. His 2009 solo release, "Backwards Glance," interweaves works by Brahms and Richard Beaudoin. “The Bolcom Project”, made in collaboration with with his American Double partner, violinist Philip Ficsor, included an Albany Records 2-CD album and a national tour with concerts in Boston, New York, Denver, Santa Barbara, Spokane and at Yale University. Fanfare praised the recording as “indispensable to any serious collector with an interest in later 20th-century duo repertoire for violin and piano.” 2018 will see the premiere of Bolcom's Horn Trio with Ficsor and Steven Gross, a work commissioned by the group. Finehouse's recording of Bolcom’s piano solo works for Naxos Records was released earlier this year to excellent reviews. During the recent seasons Finehouse has performed at the Mozarteum (Salzburg), Miaskovsky Hall (Moscow Conservatory), Merkin Recital Hall, Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall) and Jordan Hall (Boston), as well as at Harvard, Yale, and Emory universities, and St. Vincent's and Elmira colleges, among others. With degrees from Juilliard and Yale, Finehouse teaches at New England Conservatory, and serves as Visiting Artist/Faculty at Westmont College, CA.



Lisa Sailer



Alexander Technique Instructor / Violist



Lisa Sailer is a violist and certified Alexander Technique teacher living in Boston, MA. She received her BM in violin performance from SUNY Purchase, and her MM in viola performance and Alexander Technique teaching certification from The Boston Conservatory. She currently directs several young string ensembles, teaches private and group violin, viola, and cello lessons, and gives Alexander Technique lessons around the Boston area. Her music teaching emphasizes a wholistic Use of the self and the ease and joy that is the side-effect of that improved Use. Lisa was a Teaching Artist Fellow in the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s META (Music Teachers/Teaching Artists) Fellowship from 2016-2018. She has been a guest Alexander Technique teacher and Teaching Assistant at Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music in New Hampshire, and has run Alexander Technique for teachers workshops in Boston, MA and Juneau, Alaska.



The Kurganov Method



I received my master’s degree in 2012, with distinction, from the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) and had opportunities to create a serious teaching strategy while assisting my professor, violinist Rudolf Koelman. I developed a reputation for coaching fellow students in preparation for orchestral auditions. Some of those colleagues went on to win major jobs such as positions in the Zurich Chamber Orchestra, The Gulbenkian Orchestra of Portugal and the Israel Chamber Orchestra. By merging my extensive knowledge of the Russian, European and American violin traditions, analysis of all major violin studies, and values derived from HIP (historically informed performance) practice, I have been able to construct a method that is centered around problem solving techniques, creating the efficient workflow, and fostering an understanding of how technique and musical expression are inevitably connected. Having started playing the violin at age 16, I have excellent recollection of my intense studies during those years. I remember all of the mistakes and the experimentation -- what works and what doesn't. I believe in a very organized methodology and have compiled my own progressive technical manual for advanced violinists. Related to my teaching practice is my constant exploration of style and rhetoric in musical performance. I was privileged to study intensely with emissaries of the “golden era” of violin playing, and this sparked a greater interest in how style functions in music, and if cross-fertilization exists across musical techniques of various aesthetics and even national traditions.