Musicians Of New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center & Broadway To Teach Select Teen Students For MCW Prep

The Music Conservatory of Westchester is honored to announce MCW Prep, a precollege training program for serious, advanced high school musicians and singers to study with master performers of the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Broadway.

"I am delighted and honored to be on faculty for this new exciting program. MCW Prep promises to explore and nurture the music and artistic voice inside the hearts and minds of their students. Whether one is seriously considering a career in the performing arts, or just there to experiment, the students will have an opportunity to train with some of New York's finest professional musicians, performers and teachers, watch each other grow, and have a wonderful time in the process. I wish I had MCW Prep when I was in high school!" - Randy Graff, Tony Award winner

Students will be selected by audition to enroll in an intensive program of private lessons with a master teacher, as well as chamber music, orchestra, theory, master classes, performance, audition preparation, and college advisement. As soloists and in ensembles with their talented peers, students will channel their musical aspirations to prepare for college studies and future careers.

"It is a privilege to have the opportunity to teach in this marvelous program. Many of my teachers were European refugees from World War II. Most of the great music we study was their vernacular, as it were. I feel an obligation to pass their knowledge and traditions on to the young musicians of today and preserve the language of music as I learned it from them." - Jerry Grossman, Principal Cellist, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Students accepted to MCW Prep by audition will have the rare opportunity to train directly with renowned faculty at the highest levels of performance:

• Ani Kavafian, violin (Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Yale University School of Music)
• Rebecca Young, viola (New York Philharmonic)
• Jerry Grossman, cello (Metropolitan Opera Orchestra)
• Mindy Kaufman, flute (New York Philharmonic)
• Pavel Vinnitsky, clarinet (New York Philharmonic)
• Korliss Uecker, soprano (Metropolitan Opera)
• Stefan Szkafarowsky, baritone (Metropolitan Opera)
• Randy Graff, musical theatre (Tony Award winner, Manhattan School of Music)

"I am very excited about the new program at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, the MCW Preparatory Program. I look forward to preparing gifted high school students to be the next generation of excellent singers. I am proud to be part of the tremendous faculty assembled for this program. Our work will include languages, musicianship, vocal technique, and preparation for conservatory/college. The complete singing actor!" - Korliss Uecker, Soprano, Metropolitan Opera

Scheduled to launch in September 2019, MCW Prep is open to violin, viola, cello, clarinet, flute, and voice (classical, musical theatre) students entering grades 9 through 12.

"The Music Conservatory of Westchester nurtured and prepared me for my job with the New York Philharmonic. Now, I'm excited to give back to the next generation of music students and to be part of this innovative new program." - Mindy Kaufman, Music Conservatory of Westchester alumna, Flutist and Solo Piccolo, New York Philharmonic

Auditions will begin in the last week of April and will continue by appointment through summer 2019.

For more information about MCW Prep, admission and audition requirements, contact Dr. Douglas Bish, Dean of Students & Faculty: doug@musiced.org and visit http://www.musicconservatory.org/programs/mcw-prep.

The Music Conservatory of Westchester was founded in 1929 by a group of community members and renowned artists. Today, the Conservatory provides the extraordinary benefits of music to all in our community, from absolute beginners to advanced artists, with one-on-one instruction, performing ensembles, theory, composition, early childhood classes, lifelong learning for adults, and free community performances, serving 2,800 students each year from 4 months to over 80 years old. As a not-for-profit organization, the Conservatory is dedicated to serving the community and reaching out to those who would not otherwise have access. Our Scholarship Program provides tuition assistance for financially deserving students. The Music Therapy Institute brings music into the lives of 2,000 children and adults with disabilities each year through on-site and outreach programs. Healing Our Heroes offers military veterans a specialized music therapy program to help with recovery after their service. The Conservatory has inspired generations of students, and contributed to a vibrant musical life in the county, the region, and beyond. www.musicconservatory.org