Piasco, (Cuneo) Italy – The Museo dell’Arpa Victor Salvi (Piasco, Italy) is proud to announce that noted American harpist Susann McDonald, distinguished professor of music and chair of the harp department at Indiana University, will be teaching a series of masterclasses at the Conservatorio “G.F. Ghedini” in Cuneo (Italy). This new series is offered in collaboration with Salvi Harps. McDonald will be assisted by Adriana Horne, assistant instructor and graduate student at Indiana University. Classes will take place at the conservatorio June 1-9, 2007.
“The program is designed to provide technical information for harpists interested in perfecting their overall performance abilities,” says Julia Salvi, president of the museum’s board of directors. “We are honored that Professor McDonald will be heading the faculty at the museum’s first international harp masterclass this summer. Susann is recognized worldwide for her enormous contributions to the harp world, both as a remarkable artist and as an educator. Her students at Juilliard and Indiana University have gone on to achieve prized positions in the world’s leading orchestras, succeed as soloists, and win major international harp competitions.”
Professor McDonald was the first American to win the Premier Prix in harp at the famed Paris Conservatory of Music. Her teachers included Marie Ludwig, Lily Laskine and Henriette Renie. She made her concert debut at Carnegie Hall and subsequently toured cross-country for Colombia Artists. McDonald is a former faculty member and chair of the harp departments at the Juilliard School, the University of Southern California, the University of Arizona and California State University at Los Angeles. She is currently Distinguished Professor of Music at Jacobs School of Music and chair of the harp department at Indiana University. McDonald has served as artistic director of the World Harp Congress since its inception and is honorary president of the Association International des Harpistes in Paris. She is the founder and music director of the USA International Competition.
“The masterclasses will be a particularly valuable experience for harpists considering future major harp competitions,” says Marco Ghibaudo, managing director of Salvi Harps. “Having the opportunity to study with Susann McDonald is a rare opportunity that should not be missed.”
Professor Anna Pasetti, harpist and curator of the Museo dell’Arpa Victor Salvi in Piasco, will give lectures on the history of the harp and its repertoire. Participants will have an opportunity to tour the museum’s extensive collection of rare harps spanning three centuries. 2004 winner of the USA International Competition, Emmanuel Ceysson, will give a recital and workshop during the week’s program.
The masterclasses are open to harpists of all nationalities. Tuition for the series is 1,000 euros.
Professor McDonald is available for private lessons by special arrangement.
For an application and further information including arrangements for accommodations nearby, please visit: www.museodellarpavictorsalvi.it.
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Applications must be received by May 1, 2007.
