±ΖΑ¨±ΖΑ¨

November 7, 2016

James Ehnes Gives Master Class to Preparatory Students at ±ΖΑ¨±ΖΑ¨


James Ehnes Gives Master Class to Preparatory Students at ±ΖΑ¨±ΖΑ¨

Renowned violinist James Ehnes came by the ±ΖΑ¨±ΖΑ¨ on Saturday morning to give a master class for students in ±ΖΑ¨±ΖΑ¨β€™s Preparatory and Continuing Education Division. β€œKnown as a brilliant technician, thoughtful musician and all-around great guy, Mr. Ehnes spent his morning huddled in our President’s office with our talented young string players.  A standing-room only crowd laughed, applauded and cheered their way through the class,” said Cleveland Orchestra and ±ΖΑ¨±ΖΑ¨ faculty member Martha Baldwin, who organized the event. 

Ehnes worked with four students, ages 11-17, from a range of the Division’s programs including Suzuki, the Young Artist Program and chamber music. After witnessing a particularly innovative fingering from student Phoenix Avalon, Ehnes said, β€œYou and I could be good friends.”

The class concluded with a short Q&A and included probing questions such as, β€œHow do you deal with nerves?” and β€œAre you a Blue Jays fan?” which sparked honest conversation.  β€œThe Prep Division is honored to have had the opportunity to present our brilliant students with the chance to work with one of our generation’s best violinists,” says Baldwin.