References
July 14, 2009.
Hi. I'm Manami's father. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience you gave to Manami. She came back from the camp today, and all she has been talking about was how wonderful you were and how much help you have given her in identifying what was holding her back - the bow arm. We listened to some of the recordings she brought back, and she sounds like a different player!
In any case, my wife told me about your making some of the pictures available in facebook. As none of us have opened a facebook account, I decided to open one. So, if you don't mind, please accept me as a "friend" so I can share them with Manami and Ikuko. Thanks!
Shoji Mizumoto.
July 14, 2009.
The St. Petersburg Academy is one of the most incredible experience in my life! If it were not this program, I probably would have given up the viola. For years I struggled with playing the insturment because I always expereinced such extreme physical pain when playing and since I had not been given a solid foundation, I winded up figuring out how to play the instrument myself. After calling Alla and having a deep conversation, I decided to go; The two weeks were incredible and filled with intense rehearsals, quartet coaching, and amazing private lessons. Thank you Boris, for teaching me how to play the viola and giving the foundation that I've never had, and thank you Alla for encouraging me, and thank you everyone for bringing me back to Music. I now play without pain and the tension in my left arm is nearly all gone. I can look forward to pursuing a Music degree once more.
Li-Ping Mai
July 16, 2009.
Xeno had an incredible time. He learned a great deal from studying with and playing alongside world class musician. The small personalized classes were great - lots of attention compared to the big camps. Being in an orchestra with the pedagogues was just wonderful. Xeno played elbow to elbow with Boris! I also thought the celebrations and social gatherings were nice to build camaraderie. Xeno made many friends. We were all very pleased and if we are back in the states in time both Xeno and Yuma will be there next summer!
Mother of Xeno Carpenter-New,Liz Carpenter
July 21, 2009
"I wanna say something!!!
This was the first summer camp that I have gone to that was solely based on orchestra. I was nervous at first because I was a bass player and for the fact that I was nervous I wouldn't know anyone as crazy as I was. I was excited that i got to play with people who are world famous! it was an amazing experience that i would love to do again and again to further my musical abilities and meet new people that share my interest in music and love playing as much as I do. I learned more about my bass and had the time of my life playing with everyone! Its an experience that I will never ever forget!
~MAY~"
Maylia Long, Bass player
Dear Ms. Aranovskaya! My name is Lauren Nichols; you gave me a lesson when you and the St. Petersburg Quartet traveled down to Texas here at Trinity University.
First of all, thank you so much for you amazing comments and help on my technique, especially dealing with my bow-hand. It was so incredibly beneficial for me, mainly because no other teacher has really been able to point out the cause of my shoulder tension or some may not even notice it.
I feel that your teaching techniques match my learning preferences, enabling me to reach my full, potential capacity as a violinist Thanks so much for everything!
Lauren Nichols
Dear Maestro Proskurnya,
I just want to express my sincerest thatnks for your work with me at the International conducting Workshop 2004. I really appreciate the honesty and generosity of your feedback. I found myself challenged to rethink some fundamental assumptions of conducting technique, and I know that I am better for it. In fact last evening I had a rehearsal with the orchestra I conduct in Pennsylvania and I was constantly working to incorporate the Musin techniques which you taught me throughout the workshop. I must say, I experienced a palpable sense of control over the flow of the orchestra to a degree that was new to me; a huge breakthrough. I have much more work to do to make this habit, but ? I got it!!! I want you to know that, having been through two degrees in conducting and several other workshops, I have learned more about how to conduct in the past several days than I have in the past several years.
Timothy Dixon
Director of Orchestral Activities, Messiah College
Music Director/Conductor, West Shore Symphony Orchestra
This was the third time I have attended this workshop. It has been a marvelous experience each time. This past summer, I spent two weeks with 5 other conducting students in the workshop. We each had a minimum of 30 minutes of podium time each day, which we could videotape, and there were 2 to 4 hours of tutorial time each day away from the podium. The quality of the instruction was superb, including instructors from the St. Petersburg Conservatory, who, among other strengths, were able to teach the methods of Ilya Musin. We each conducted one piece at a concert at the end of each week, which also was videotaped for later review. I can, therefore, attest to the quality and credibility of the workshop this group is offering again this year. Please feel free to contact me, if there are further questions.
Michael Hemphill
These sessions have been nothing short of revelatory: conducting an
orchestra involves a lot more than just beating time and showing entries.
The teachers - Proskurnya, Gribanov and Korchmar - are dedicated
practitioners of the art, and even more dedicated as teachers. They spend
every minute making sure that no detail is left out and each participant
receives the proper guidance. The emphasis is on technique and how to use it
true to the famous Russian-St. Petersburg School, and as such differs from
other courses where you are taught only how best to beat in four, three,
etc. Definitely a new and eye-opening experience.
Darrell Ang