FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Nicole Gallego
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
(203) 865-0831, ext. 21
ngallego@newhavensymphony.org
New Haven, CT, September 8, 2009 The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) is pleased to announce a master class by internationally renowned violinist Kurt Nikkanen, Sunday, September 13, 2:00pm at the Guilford Recreation Center in Guilford, CT. The event is free and open to the public.
The master class will feature students of NHSO violinists Judi McDermott-Eggert, Artemis Simerson and Stephan Tieszen, all of whom who have teaching studios on the Connecticut Shoreline. The students will represent a range of age groups and levels of performance and will include: Mikkie Chu, 12, of Madison (McDermott-Eggert), Peggie Chien, 13 of Guilford (McDermott-Eggert), Lee Wagoner, 15 of Haddam (Tieszen), Hannah Schneider, 17 of Hamden (Simerson) and Chelsea Smith, 17 of Easton (Tieszen).
Ms. McDermott-Eggert noted, “The opportunity for our local students to participate in a master class with such an accomplished violinist as Mr. Nikkanen is a very special one. Not only will they benefit from his tutelage but their excitement level has inspired increased commitment by the students in preparation for the big day.”
Natalie Forbes, NHSO Executive Director added, “We are delighted to be able to support our musicians and their students through this master class. Master classes provide a unique connection to a soloist as we view their love of music through their ability to share their passion and insights with aspiring young musicians. The Shoreline communities are strong supporters of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to give back on many levels. The public is strongly encouraged to attend this event.
This master class is one of a number of community events in which Mr. Nikkanen will participate prior to his NHSO debut performing the Walton Violin Concerto for the opening concert of the 2009/10 season, Thursday, September 17, at Woolsey Hall in New Haven.
Kurt Nikkanen has appeared internationally on the concert stage for more than two decades. Born in Hartford, he began his violin studies at the age of three and at twelve he made his Carnegie Hall debut, performing Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo capriccioso with the New York Symphony. Two years later he was invited by Zubin Mehta to perform the Paganini Concerto No. 1 with the New York Philharmonic for a Young People’s Concert. In 1986 he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from The Juilliard School where he was a scholarship student of Dorothy DeLay.
Mr. Nikkanen regularly receives invitations from leading orchestras and recital presenters in the USA and Europe and has toured Japan and the Far East. In North America he has appeared with the Dallas Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Cleveland Orchestra and in Europe with the BBC Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Rotterdam Philharmonic and the Dresden Staatskapelle. He has worked with many leading conductors including Ashkenazy, Davis, Tate, Vonk, Wolff, Jarvi and Litton.
Other highlights have included a UK tour with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Libor Pesek, performances with the Gothenburg Symphony and Neeme Jarvi in Gothenburg and at the BBC Proms, and concerts with the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Prague Symphony, and RTE Orchestra in Dublin. He has also appeared with the Belgian National Orchestra, Trondheim Symphony and the orchestra of RAI Turin.
For more information please call Nicole Gallego at 203.865.0831, ext. 21 or ngallego@newhavensymphony.org or visit our website at www.newhavensymphony.org
