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BUILDING A BRIDGE TO BEIJING Jessica Stark Media Relations Specialist Email: stark@rice.edu "You have to listen to this," said Kathleen Winkler, Rice University professor of violin, as she quickly moved across her music studio to her computer. "You'll never believe how old the musicians are."
"Their playing isn't just technically correct; they play with such feeling, such depth," Winkler said. "It's amazing that they are able to channel and convey that level of emotion at such a young age." She has worked with the students for less than a year, but already she has developed a deep rapport with them as a visiting professor of violin at the middle school of the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music (BCCM). Worldwide, BCCM is considered to be the major training ground for China's finest musical talents -- its graduates fill the ranks of U.S. music schools and orchestras, and it is responsible for producing many internationally recognized concert artists. Inspired by Rice University's Vision for the Second Century and with the support and encouragement of Shepherd School of Music Dean Robert Yekovich, Winkler began building a partnership between the music school and BCCM two years ago during the time she was in residence at the Beijing International Music Festival and Academy (BIMFA). "The Shepherd School has become seriously interested in expanding our outreach in China," Yekovich said. "With Kathy’s expert assistance, I am confident we will have a successful collaboration that benefits both schools' students and faculty." As Yekovich and Winkler considered mutually beneficial projects between the two music schools, an invitation was extended to Winkler to be a visiting professor. Winkler's visiting professorship will initially include three visits per year to the BCCM. An unforgettable week Only recently has BCCM opened its doors to the outside world. Though the conservatory has long been admired internationally for the highest degree of perfection displayed by its students, few Western artists have had the opportunity to be in residence to see how this was accomplished.
"It was a week I will never forget with people I will always remember," Winkler said. During her time at BCCM, she befriended Lin Jao-ji, a professor known as the greatest master teacher in China. Lin has been recognized both nationally and internationally and honored by the Chinese government for his accomplishments in teaching and performance. Winkler also met Tong Weidong, the chairman of the String Department at BCCM, who asked her to return to China. "I think Professors Lin and Tong appreciated a Western perspective of music," Winkler said. "And that I could offer them a bridge to some of the best music training in the U.S. through the Shepherd School." Winkler said that already two of the BCCM students have contacted her to find out how to pursue undergraduate degrees at Rice. While there is no simple solution to bring the students here -- the language barrier, financial considerations and course credits are a few obstacles -- Winkler and Yekovich are hoping to find ways to offer a Rice education to the most-deserving BCCM students. They are exploring the possibility of arranging informal preliminary auditions with Winkler while she's in China. Then she could directly assist selected students during Rice's formal application and audition process. "Bringing the top conservatory students will complement the educational experience and professional training of our students in the Shepherd School as well," Yekovich said. Rice student opportunities Shepherd School students will benefit from the partnership with BCCM. While the language barriers make it unrealistic for them to study in China during the academic year, in the summers they could attend BIMFA, be in residence for two weeks at BCCM and work with both Lin and Tong. "We always encourage our students to have musical and personal interactions with international faculty and students," Yekovich said. "Such educational experiences during BIMFA or a residency would be particularly beneficial for their professional development and personal growth." A pioneering international program in Beijing, BIMFA brings together established performing artists and teachers from around the world in a unique collaboration through music. Open to pianists, string players and selected wind instrumentalists, it aims to promote cultural understanding for the benefit of the next generation of young musicians. The two-week program was established in 2004 by Ming Yong '93, a former piano student at the Shepherd School. "This festival presents the extremely rare opportunity for our students to access these great artists and teachers," Winkler said. "We are extremely proud of Ming for his creation of BIMFA and for his assistance in facilitating the collaboration between our schools. " A long-term partnership Eventually the Shepherd School hopes to bring some of the teachers from BCCM to Rice and expose the students to a wide array of musical and philosophical ideas. "I think the BCCM faculty will be impressed by the artistry of our high-caliber students," Winkler said. "I hope that once they are introduced to our stellar students, the conservatory will be even more excited to continue in a long-term partnership." BCCM faculty members are planning a visit to Rice next fall. They will attend performances, sit in on classes and tour the campus. Following their visit, Winkler and Yekovich hope to make a similar trip to Beijing. |
