KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2010 / NEWS
CAMPUS
23
Music camp brings kids from across the globe
Kevin Ahfat, 15, performs at the International Institute for Young Musicians Summer Music Academy piano competition winners concert on Saturday at Murphy Hall. The Academy draws students from various parts of the country as well as many international students for an intensive instructional program.
Ryan Waggoner/KANSAN
BY LUYAN WANG
lwang@kansan.com
Varria Diaz, a 10-year-old girl from Venezuela, decided to spend three weeks overseas without her parents. Diaz arrived at at the University, a completely strange place where she didn't really know anybody.
Diaz is staying in Hashinger Hall and eats at Mrs. E's with the friends she's made since arriving to Lawrence earlier this month. What she really looks forward to are her piano classes every day in Murphy Hall.
Diaz is on campus attending the International Institute for Young Musicians Summer Music Academy, which kicked off July 11 and ends July 24. The program, founded by KU piano pedagogy professor Scott McBride Smith in 1990, attracts young pianists from around the world.
Diaz loves playing piano. She started playing one year ago and since then has practiced four hours every day. Diaz said she really wanted to join the program after she heard about it from her piano teacher in Venezuela.
Diaz is shy. She said playing piano was the best way for her to tell people what she is thinking.
The program aims to improve students' mastery of performance with three weeks of intensive study, practice, recitals and work with professors.
"It's so pretty," Diaz said. "And it's a way to express your feelings without talking."
"It's so pretty. And it's a way to express your feelings without talking."
Diaz is one of the 75 talented young musicians between ages nine and 19 in this year's program. Students who are interested must submit high-quality recordings of two pieces when
VARRIA DIAZ Camper from Venezuela
they apply. The School of Music began hosting the program 12 years ago. Since then, about 70 students from around the world spend their July in Lawrence every year.
JackWinerock.
KU piano professor and a long-time friend of Smith, has been working for the program since it was hosted
by the University in 1998. He said more than 100 young musicians applied for the program every year.
"Most of the students who apply for the program are self-selected," Winerock said.
The average student spends about $2,000 for the course, housing and dining. Students can always apply for scholarships.
of the best music schools in China, is taking this program with a scholarship, which covered 80 percent of his total expenses.
"People who are not qualified don't really apply for it."
Yuan Wang, a Chinese student from Central School of Music, one
This summer is Wang's first time in the U.S. Before Wang arrived at the University, he attended two similar programs in June — one in Texas, the other in Florida. Wang said the University's program was his favorite among the three he's attended.
Many of the students have attended the camp several times. Albert Joo, a 16-year-old from South Korea, has attended the program since 2008. Joo said great musicians and the University's excellent facilities kept bringing him back.
Winerock said the camp's faculty consists of two KU professors and five others from around the world to maintain the program's international base.
"Even though I have been here for three years now, I learn something new every year."
"Even though I have been here for
ALBERT JOO Camper from South Korea
three years now, I learn something new every year," Joo said.
Quinn Gomez came here from Canada for the learning opportunities. Gomez said he loved music because he could express himself in a beautiful and universal way.
"I really want to get into that because I can see that as a potential career in the future," Gomez said.
Students will perform recitals every day during this week. Recitals are free and open to the public.
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