Making beautiful music in Greece
Bogdan Berindean, Margaret Townsend and Jonathan Vestal, who study violin performance with Ioana Galu, are among a select group of talented performers who will participate in a summer academy on the Greek isle of Corfu.
The Heidelberg students will join a small contingent from Bowling Green University and other notable musicians from Europe, Greece, the Far East and the U.S. at the academy, which will take place at some of Corfu’s most historical sites. The program is part of an exchange with Ionian University in Corfu and BGSU. In addition to performing, the students will participate in seminars, lectures, discussions and numerous concerts and performances.The students and faculty will be immersed in the Greek culture as they study and perform in venues such as the historic Ionian Academy, a former military barracks which later became the first Greek University.
It is through their professor’s connections that the Heidelberg trio was selected for the prestigious academy. Galu, who received her master’s degree from BGSU, invited her former professor, Vasile Beluska, to campus to participate in master classes with the students earlier in the academic year.
Galu has great confidence that her students – who she describes as “top notch” – will be comfortable with their peers. “I know the talent level in Europe,” said the Romanian-born Galu. “I’m confident they’ll be right up there.”
The Heidelberg students, all winners of the college’s concerto competition, will receive college grant funding to assist with their travels. They’re not only looking forward to the educational aspects of the trip, but to the cultural opportunities as well.
Vestal, a freshman from Fremont, Ohio, said, “I want to get more insight into what other kids our age are bringing to the table.”
Added Berindean, a senior from Romania: “I’ve been in Greece before, and it’s really beautiful. I love the country. Besides other teaching opportunities, it’s a good opportunity to see the sights in Corfu.”
Townsend, a senior who hails from Olympia, Wash., said she’s looking forward to experiencing different teaching styles and different technical advice.
As for their professor, she believes the multi-dimensional experience will benefit the students, who will be able to compare teaching and learning from another country. “They will see what level other people have, different kinds of instruction.
“It will be important to prepare chamber music pieces in less than a week – with performers they’ve never played with before. That’s how it works in the professional world,” Galu said.
Posted on April 30, 2008