YOCJ will need to reschedule our Ensemble Master Classes for the Fall 2020. We are still excited about our brand new format for our annual Master Class!
We will run separate but simultaneous Master Classes this year for the different instrumental families, bringing in many professional clinicians to work with ALL of the small ensembles and the 3 string orchestras.
Our goal is to still provide these top notch clinicians for the Fall 2020! We will keep you posted once we have a new date!
5pm Master Class:
- String Preparatory Orchestra ~ Robert Peterson
7pm Master Classes:
- Pro Arte Orchestra ~ Ruotao Mao
- Symphonic Orchestra Strings ~ Nell Flanders
- Brass Ensemble & Brass Choir ~ Dr. Stephen Allen
- Symphonic Woodwinds & Woodwind Choir ~ John Frazier
- Percussion Ensemble ~ Angela Zator Nelson
- Flute Ensemble ~ Sue Gillio
- Saxophone Ensemble & Saxophone Choir ~ Dr. Lois Hicks-Wozniak
Our featured soloist this year, Angela Zator Nelson, The Philadelphia Orchestra Associate Principal Timpanist, will work with the Percussion Ensemble. Ms. Zator Nelson performed the Jennifer Higdon Percussion Concerto with our Symphonic Orchestra at our January 19, 2020 concert at Kendall Hall, TCNJ.(Photo credits: Paul Arnold)
Dr. Stephen Allen, a renowned music history professor from Rider University, will be working with the Brass Ensemble and the Brass Choir. Dr. Allen is a euphonium artist, and obtained his doctorate degree at Oxford University. He is a recognized world authority on the music of Benjamin Britten, and initiated and co-designed a new BA in Popular Music at Rider University.
Nell Flanders, Assistant Conductor of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra will be working with the Symphonic Orchestra. Ms. Flanders also leads the Symphony Orchestra at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-college Division, where she teaches conducting and violin lessons and coaches chamber music. She is a doctoral candidate at Peabody Conservatory.
John Frazier, Clarinetists, will be working with our Woodwind Choir and our Symphonic Woodwinds. A native of Philadelphia, he holds a Master of Music degree in clarinet performance from Temple University where he went on a full scholarship. Mr. Frazier held positions at Ursinus College as well as Temple University and currently is an affiliate artist with Cairn University.
Sue Gillio, Principal Flute of the Illinois Valley Symphony, will be working with our Flute Ensemble. Ms. Gillio is on faculty at Illinois Valley Community College. She was a guest clinician at the Western Illinois University “Living Legacy” tribute to Gerald Carey (2006) presenting a lecture on “Developing a Successful Music Studio” and has been published in Flute Talk Magazine.
Dr. Lois Hicks-Wozniak, who is currently an adjunct professor of music at Marist College and SUNY New Paltz, will be working with the Saxophone Ensemble and the Saxophone Choir. Dr. Hicks-Wozniak was previously a visiting instructor of saxophone at Susquehanna University and on the faculty at the New England Music Camp.
Violinist Ruotao Mao will be working with the Pro Arte Orchestra! Mr. Mao is an active soloist, chamber musician while holding numerous concertmaster posts in the tri-state area. A native of Beijing, China, Mr. Mao graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music with “distinction in performance” award. He also studied with Dorothy Delay, Paul Kantor and Masuko Ushioda.
Robert Peterson will be working with the String Preparatory Orchestra! He is currently the orchestra director of West Windsor Plainsboro High School South. Mr. Peterson performs professionally as Principal Bass: Bohéme Opera of New Jersey and Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey; Assistant Principal Bass: American Ballet Orchestra and also performs in many other orchestral freelance Stage Shows, Operatic and Ballet venues.
