In just over a month, young musicians will once again gather at Trykkeriet Kulturarena in Fagernes for the autumn Gnist Gathering. The application deadline is fast approaching – September 1st.
This time, the program brings several new opportunities. All participants will receive more individual lessons, giving them the chance to deepen their instrumental skills and develop further as musicians.
– We wish to give the participants closer follow-up and create an even stronger learning arena, say the course leader Alf Richard Kraggerud.
Changes to the teaching format are described in more detail on Gnist’s website.
One of the major highlights this autumn is the arrival of two new guest teachers from the USA: violist Sophie Arbuckleand violinist Arik Braude.
Arbuckle is a highly regarded violist who has performed at leading chamber music venues in both the USA and Europe. She is co-founder of the ensemble JVNY and has extensive experience as a contemporary music performer, educator, and socially engaged musician. She teaches internationally, gives masterclasses, and serves on juries. Many of her students have advanced to top orchestras and prestigious conservatories such as Juilliard and the Royal College of Music.
Braude has had a wide-ranging career as a violin soloist and chamber musician, with concerts in the USA, Europe, and Asia. He has performed at festivals such as Music @ Menlo (USA), Festival des Arcs (France), and Killington Chamber Music Festival (USA), as well as in numerous concert series across Europe and the USA. He is an Associate Professor at the Aaron Copland Conservatory at Queen’s College, and his students have won international prizes and performed with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and the Mainz KammerOrchester.
With guest teachers of this caliber, participants will have a rare chance to learn from musicians with extensive international experience. The Autumn Gathering is therefore both a meeting place and a springboard for young musicians who wish to grow artistically and professionally.
– We look forward to welcoming both new and returning participants, and to creating an inspiring community with music at its core, say director Mona Kleven Hagen.