Through a masterclass initiative, local youth have learned from a roster of international stars including Stephen McKinley Henderson, Faizal Jayeeb, Judith Jamison, Momar Ndour, and Reggie Wilson. From music to sculpture, each of these events, spread across five exciting days, provided students with an extraordinary learning experience alongside masters of their creative discipline.
Yuja Wang, a celebrated pianist known for her dynamic performances, recently conducted a masterclass for students at the Royal College of Music. Her session was all about technique, yes, but mostly about interpretation. Young pianists were given the opportunity to study with one of the industry’s greats! Wang’s philosophy encouraged an emotional honesty that lends Wang’s own music warmth and intimacy, allowing her students to discover their distinct musical identities.
In the world of stage and screen, iconic actor Brian Cox presided over a masterclass for five aspiring actors. His years of experience gave participants real-world skills and advice on building their character and developing stage presence. Cox’s warm, inspiring, and “very cool” direction challenged the performers to push their limits and develop the confidence needed to shine on stage.
French tenor Benjamin Bernheim provided mentorship for young singers hoping to explore French opera. His masterclass gave each participant the opportunity to really dive into their own vocal technique and the specificity of the French repertoire. Bernheim’s passion for opera was palpable, and her fire inspired the students to fully embrace this amazing musical art form.
The Vienna Philharmonic is arguably one of the world’s best orchestras. In addition to being highly engaged educators themselves, they made meaningful connections to education by hosting an all-day masterclass for students. Performing with spirited artistry were a number of the orchestra’s distinguished musicians. Beginning instrumentalists had the chance to polish their musicianship and learn the secrets of great orchestral playing.
In another creative field, famous sculptor Antony Gormley mentored aspiring sculptors on how to model mud. His broad influence on their understanding of form and space had the effect of pushing students to break molds and expand upon his sculptural ideas. With Gormley’s encouragement and creative hands-off approach, the artists became some of the most innovative sculptors of an age.
Acclaimed cellist Steven Isserlis played a pivotal role in teaching young cellists how to navigate the complexities of Dvořák and Schumann’s works. His masterclass addressed technical mastery, emotional artistry and everything in between, bringing students the tools they needed to develop their performance skills.
In addition to these artistic endeavors, Sal Khan, an American educator known for his contributions to online learning, inspired students through discussions about education and personal growth. His vision served as a reminder that lifelong learning and the willingness to adapt are indispensable in the world we live in today.
British rock legend Paul McCartney took incredible interest in these young musicians, imparting wisdom from his storied career. His participation highlighted the importance of mentorship in developing the next generation of artistic talents.
All of these brilliant artists work as active mentors to emerging young talents. In doing so, they inspire personal transformation and deepen our shared education in culture. When you combine their informed expertise with the vision and energy of the next generation, you find an exciting intersection fertile for future innovation.