I would like to share with you two exciting pieces of news. Great Wall International Music Academy faculty member Gao Can has been given the 1617 "Lobkowicz" Amati on loan from the Stradivari Society in Chicago. Below, you can see a photo of Gao Can, left, and a photo of Gao Can, myself, and Lang Lang in the center.
In Cincinnati, two of my talented young students, Christina Nam, 10, and Skye Park, 11, recently had the wonderful experience of performing the Bach Double Concerto with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under the baton on Robert Treviño. You may have also heard them perform on From the Top's broadcast from Great Wall International Music Academy this fall.
I hope the new year has treated you well in its first month. There has been a lot of exciting news in the violin world, including a new record holder for the world's most expensive violin, finding an excellent home in the hands of the incomparable violinist Anne Akiko Meyers. Read more about it here.
We were very saddened to hear the news of the passing of well known violin maker Carl Fredrick Becker from Chicago. Read a touching rememberance from Laurie Niles here.
West coast violin, viola, cello, and bass teachers now have a chance to earn certification in the Sassmannshaus Tradition close to home!
Kurt Sassmannshaus will conduct a 2 day workshop at Marylhurst Universitynear Portland, Oregon on Dec. 8 and 9 to provide teacher training in the popular pedagogical method. Space is limited, and can be reserved now by sending an email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and paying the training cost of $250 under the donation heading here.
Training takes place Saturday, Dec. 8 10:00-5:30, with a lunch break provided by Oregon ASTA, and Sunday, Dec. 9 1:30-5:00.
The complete line of Sassmannshaus Tradition materials can be found at Shar Music.
NPR's From the Top with host Christopher O'Riley will air two broadcasts from this past summer's Great Wall International Music Academy in November 2012. You can watch a sneak peek of the shows on YouTube now!
Check your local listings for dates and times, or listen at www.fromthetop.org after the broadcast.
