April 19, 2019
CIM Faculty Hold Master Classes in China
Cleveland Institute of Music faculty who are also members of The Cleveland Orchestra (TCO) recently returned from a successful TCO tour of Asia. During the trip, the faculty also generously gave their time and expertise by holding several master classes in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. CIM is accomplishing its mission to empower the world’s most talented classical music students to fulfill their dreams and potential through several initiatives, including strengthening relationships with current partners in China – and develop new ones, too. That includes showcasing many of CIM’s world-class faculty during TCO’s first appearance in Asia in 21 years.
CIM faculty members and President Paul Hogle shared their photos and reflections on the trip.
CIM in Shenzhen
Yasuhito Sugiyama (right), head of CIM’s tuba department and principal tuba of The Cleveland Orchestra, works with students during his master class at Shenzhen Arts School on April 3. Sugiyama and five other CIM faculty held master classes at the school that day.
Stanley Konopka, CIM viola faculty and assistant principal viola of The Cleveland Orchestra, is all smiles as he works with two students during his master class at Shenzhen Arts School.
After a productive day of master classes, CIM faculty and President Paul Hogle pose for a photo with Shenzhen Arts School students and faculty. The school’s president, Qicheng Huang, is standing to President Hogle’s immediate left. CIM and Shenzhen Arts School have been working together during the last few years to provide visiting master classes, distance learning programs, admissions candidates and cultural exchanges.
Following a long day of performances and master classes in Shenzhen, CIM faculty Richard Weiss (middle), co-head of CIM's cello department and first assistant principal cello of The Cleveland Orchestra, and Mark Kosower (far right), CIM cello faculty and principal cello of The Cleveland Orchestra, along with President Paul Hogle were treated to dinner by the parents of alumna and cellist Fange Lisa Zhang (BM ’18, Kraut, third from left).
CIM in Shanghai
Richard Weiss and his cello students for the day take a breather after his master class at the Shanghai Conservatory.
President Hogle and Scott Dixon, head of CIM's strings division and double bass department and member of the bass section of The Cleveland Orchestra, held high level talks on the future of classical music with the leadership of the Shanghai Symphony Academy. Pictured with Hogle and Dixon is Fedina Zhou, director of the Shanghai Seven Academy. CIM faculty held private lessons and master classes at both the Academy and the preschool associated with the Shanghai Conservatory.
Cellist Mark Kosower works with a student cellist at the Shanghai Conservatory, guiding her through a process of improving all aspects of performance.
CIM in Beijing
Mark Jackobs, CIM viola faculty and member of the viola section of The Cleveland Orchestra, pauses to have a photo taken with students from his master class at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing on April 12.
Mary Kay Fink (center, back row), co-head of CIM's woodwinds, brass and percussion division, flute and piccolo faculty and member of the flute section of The Cleveland Orchestra, taught a very large master class at the China Conservatory of Music on April 12.
So long, China! CIM faculty who are also members of The Cleveland Orchestra have one last photo taken with their hosts and colleagues from the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing before returning to Northeast Ohio. CIM enjoys remarkable partnerships with several conservatories in China and continues to forge new relationships.
CIM faculty who gave their time leading master classes at Shenzhen Arts School, Shanghai Orchestra Academy and the China Conservatory: