Last Friday, Pao Middle School welcomed internationally recognized violin soloist, Kurt Nikkanen, who held a workshop and dazzled Pao students with his virtuoso performances.
American violinist Kurt Nikkanen is an international soloist of the highest order. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he began his violin studies at the age of three, later studying with Roman Totenberg and Jens Ellerman. At twelve he gave his Carnegie Hall debut, performing 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. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School, where he was a scholarship student of Dorothy DeLay.
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Kurt Nikkanen's visit to Pao School was a treat for all of our violinists. After three Middle School students performed solo pieces, Mr Nikkanen patiently explained to students different aspects of violin performance, such as correct rhythm and posture and also talked to students about how to strengthen their music appreciation skills.
Mr Nikkanen has a very interesting perspective on music education:
Things have changed a lot since I was a student. In those days, if you were a musically talented performer who wanted to study seriously, the only option was to go to a conservatory and spend all your time focusing on music. Today, the situation is quite different. For example, now in Julliard School, they have a dual-degree programme with Columbia University. Many students pursue both – an academic discipline and music on a high level. In fact, what some top universities are looking for more and more these days is an overlap between music and especially the technical professions.
Music education has always been an important part of studying at Pao School. The Middle School offers choir, strings and band courses (the latter divided into beginner and advanced levels) to Year 6 and 7 students. They can choose to take one of the three. In addition, our co-curricular program includes many music activities, such as stomp, jazz band, chamber music, music composition, string orchestra, English choir and more. Every semester, we have a fine art night in which students can showcase the music they've learned at school in live performances.
Music is such a great adjunct to education. I can think of no other activity that develops your brain and your personality in so many ways. It kind of encourages skills that are intergrown with diplomacy. It has the discipline and focus required for really any serious study, but in particular, it seems to apply very well to the sciences. More than anything else, it's really about communicating and sharing.
Kurt Nikkanen
Pao students can learn a great deal from visiting luminaries, who offer them valuable insights and advice. At the same time, guest lectures broaden students' horizons as they engage with people from different cultures, deepening their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
