Masterclasses

Husband and wife flute duo Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway will perform in recital immediately following the conference’s Opening Session. The Galways recently concluded a 14-city American tour with the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Born in Belfast, Ireland, Sir James was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland. He began his career as a soloist in 1975 and has since sold more than 30 million albums. Known as much for his classic flute repertoire and as for his ability as an entertainer, he has performed for the Pope, presidents, prime ministers and royalty. Sir James launched the ground-breaking First Flute online interactive lessons series in 2013. He was honored with Knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II in 2001. Lady Jeanne is also an accomplished flutist, both as a soloist and chamber musician. A native of New York City and graduate of Mannes College of Music, she has toured across the United States, as well as internationally, and has recorded for RCA Victor, BMG Classics and Deutsche Grammophon. The Galways were honored by Irish America Magazine in 2008 with the “Spirit of Ireland” award in recognition for their roles as musical ambassadors. Along with performing together, they also founded and run the 10-day Galway Flute Festival each summer in Switzerland, where they offer classes and mentor students.

Intermediate Piano
Tuesday, March 24, 9:15–10:15 A.M.
Scott McBride Smith, NCTM

Scott McBride Smith, NCTM, is a visionary leader in music education. He is the Cordelia Brown Murphy Professor of Piano Pedagogy at the University of Kansas, a position he assumed in 2010 after teaching prizewinning students in Irvine, California, for 30 years. As CEO of the International Institute for Young Musicians, he leads a summer program that trains gifted young performers from around the world. His philosophical and cognitive approach to music has resulted in appearances before teachers groups across the United States, as well as in Europe, Asia and South America. Smith is co-author of the college text The Well-Tempered Keyboard Teacher and associate editor of Clavier Companion. He is co-author and editor of the groundbreaking series American Popular Piano and co-author of Christopher Norton’s Guide to Microjazz.

Advanced Piano
Tuesday, March 24, 10:30 A.M.–NOON
Lang Lang

Lang Lang is one of the most recognizable names in classical music today. Named by Time Magazine as one of its “Time 100” and cited as a symbol of the youth of China, and its future, he has played in sold-out concerts in every major city in the world. The first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and all the top American orchestras, Lang Lang broke into stardom at age 17. He performed at the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where more than 4 billion people around the world viewed his performance, the Last Night of the Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Liszt 200th birthday concert, broadcast live to more than 500 cinemas around the United States and Europe. In 2004, he was appointed International Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and he currently serves on the Weill Music Institute (WMI) Advisory Committee as part of Carnegie Hall’s educational program. He also developed the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, cultivating the next generation of young pianists.