On Saturday, September 26, Nevada School of the Arts and The String Connection were thrilled to welcome Dr. Maureen Yuen, Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola at the University of Nevada, Reno, for a violin masterclass at the Fifth Street School in Downtown Las Vegas. Five talented young violinists, students of NSA faculty member Mary Straub and The String Connection’s Shakeh Ghoukasian, performed and then worked one-on-one with Dr. Yuen in front of an audience of fellow students, families, and teachers.
Dr. Yuen brought warmth, humor, and insight to every session. Instrument in hand, she demonstrated phrasing side by side with each performer, offered fresh ideas on bow technique, tone, and posture, and encouraged the students to bring out the character and storytelling in their music. It was a joy to watch each student respond in real time, and to hear how much their playing grew in just a few minutes of coaching.
The Program
Alice Johnson
Rondo from the Haffner Serenade, K. 250 — W. A. Mozart, arr. Fritz Kreisler
Ethan Almond
Symphonie espagnole in D Minor, Op. 21 — Édouard Lalo
I. Allegro non troppo
Mia Barbosa
Violin Concerto No. 9 in A Minor, Op. 104 — Charles-Auguste de Bériot
I. Allegro maestoso
Lucas Jiang
Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20 — Pablo de Sarasate
Alexys Espinoza
Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, K. 218 — W. A. Mozart
I. Allegro
Photos from the Masterclass
Congratulations to all of our performers on their beautiful playing and their courage in sharing their work. Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Yuen for her generosity and expertise, to Mary Straub and Shakeh Ghoukasian for preparing these students so well, and to everyone who came out to support them.
Interested in violin lessons or upcoming NSA events? Contact us to learn more.
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