The Hartt School Community Division June Newsletter
June 19, 2019
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"Oh the places you'll go"
Special Senior Edition!
A heartfelt congratulations to the HCD Class of 2019!
Here is a look into where they are headed next!
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Graduating From:
Northwest Catholic
Area of Study:
Voice
Private Lesson Teacher:
Dana Kephart
Ensembles:
Connecticut Children's Chorus Women's Choir
Additional HCD Involvements:
Musicianship Classes
Destiny will be attending Southern New Hampshire University to study Psychology!
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Graduating From:
Loomis Chaffee
Instrument:
Violin
Private Lesson Teacher:
Donna Ngai
Christiana will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to study Architecture!
More about Christiana:
Christiana has been studying violin at the Hartt School since the age of four. She has been a member of the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra for the past seven years. Christiana plays field hockey, and is the captain of the golf team. She is also a member of the Shultz Fellowship and Christian Fellowship. Christiana is also an active member in her church, Saint Thomas the Apostle.
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Graduating From:
Central Christian Academy
Instrument:
Viola
Private Lesson Teacher:
Melinda Daetsch
Ensembles:
Opus '89, Chamber Music, Viola Tour Group
Jennah will be attending Pensacola Christian College to study Physical Therapy and Music!
More about Jennah:
Jennah began studying viola at age six with Liz Faye, later transferring to Melinda Daetsch. Jennah has a love for viola and has enjoyed being a part of the Suzuki orchestras through the years as well as chamber music this year. Her other music training has included piano and voice lessons. In 2016, she placed 3rd in piano, and in 2017 she placed 2nd in viola, at the New England Association of Christian Schools' Fine Arts Competition. Jennah is regularly involved in the music ministry at her local church as well as various choirs and ensembles at school. Her other hobbies include soccer, volleyball, and basketball.
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Graduating From:
Kingswood Oxford
Area of Study:
Mezzo Soprano
Private Lesson Teacher:
Nancy Anderson
Additional HCD Involvements:
Vocal Honors
Katie will be attending the Boston Conservatory at Berklee to obtain her BFA in Musical Theatre!
More about Katie:
At KO, Kate is a member of the Outlook ensemble, Oxfordians a cappella group, and concert choir. Some of her favorite roles she has played include Velma Kelly (Chicago), Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), Izzy (Rabbit Hole), Loggaine Schwartzandgrubenierre (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and Gayle (Almost, Maine). She is currently cast as Serena Katz in Wethersfield Teen Theater Company’s Fame.
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Graduating From:
Cromwell High School
Instrument:
Bb Clarinet
Private Lesson Teacher:
Curt Blood, Adam Berkowitz
Ensembles:
Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble
Additional HCD Involvements:
Hartt Preparatory Academy, Philharmonia Winds (principal clarinet)
Megan will be attending the University of Hartford's The Hartt School to study Instrumental Music Education!
More about Megan:
Along with performing at Hartt, Megan is the principal clarinetist of her school band, a member of concert choir, historian of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and participates in many other school activities. She has played in the CMEA Northern Regionals and All-State Bands. Megan has also studied classical piano with Richard Donohue at the Donohue Studio of Music in Cromwell since kindergarten. With Mr. Donohue, Megan has gained valuable knowledge in both classical music theory and piano, and has been an accompanist for recitals for various vocal students at the studio. She has also played piano at the Cromwell Historical Society for many of their events, including their Christmas Open House.
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Graduating From:
Classical Magnet
Instrument:
Cello
Ensembles:
Connecticut Youth Symphony
Additional HCD Involvements:
Chamber Music
Nevan will be attending the University of York to study Archaeology and Heritage Management.
More about Nevan:
Nevan has been a cellist for 13 years and plans to continue playing cello in the future. He will be attending the University of York in the U.K with a keen focus in traditional timber framing and architectural conservation.
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Graduating From:
Miss Porter's School
Instrument:
Piano
Private Lesson Teacher:
Maggie Francis
Additional HCD Involvements:
Chamber Music, Connecticut Children's Chorus, Summer Programs, Music Theory Lessons
Marisol will be attending Yale University to study Philosophy and Economics!
More about Marisol:
Marisol has been playing piano for 12 years. She has studied under Barbara Johnson and Maggie Francis. Along with that, she has participated in multiple choirs and chamber music. Music has taught Marisol the joy of connecting to others through art and has given her a sense of discipline and drive. At school, she enjoys learning French and Chinese and running cross country and track. She is planning to continue piano lessons and study philosophy and economics at Yale next year. She is grateful to those who have motivated her, especially her family, and is excited to take the next step in her future.
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Graduating From:
Tolland High School
Instrument:
Trombone
Ensembles:
Connecticut Youth Symphony, Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble
Benjamin will be attending Purchase College to study Theatre Design/Technology!
More about Benjamin:
Benjamin has been playing trombone for the past eight years. He has played in ensembles at the Hartt Community Division for six years. He has also taken private lessons with Gary Kirsch for the past six years. Ben has been participating in CMEA festivals for six years, including All-States for four years. He has also played with the Tolland High School Jazz Band for four years.
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Graduating From:
Homeschool
Instrument:
Cello
Private Lesson Instructor:
Rajan Kapoor
Ensembles:
Opus '89, Men's Choir, Chamber Music
Peter will be attending Wyoming Catholic College to study liberal arts!
More about Peter:
Peter Gedicks has participated at the Hartt School Community Division since the age of 4, when he began his Suzuki cello study with Carlynn Savott. Upon her departure, Peter studied with Katie Kennedy, Susan Robison, and Rajan Kapoor. Peter has enjoyed his work in chamber groups and orchestras throughout the years. Peter has also participated in the choirs of the Connecticut Children’s Chorus, beginning at age 6 in Overture, through Men’s Choir, including a performing tour to Disney World in 2017. As a member of the Cathedral Youth Choir (CYC) of the Archdiocese of Hartford for 6 years, Peter also participated frequently in Roman Catholic liturgies of the Cathedral of St Joseph in Hartford. In 2017, he and the CYC enjoyed a 10-day residency and tour of Spain with Escolania de El Escorial, the boys choir of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain. Peter has performed lead and supporting roles in numerous drama and musical theater productions since 2013, as a member of the drama group AMDG2, based in Avon. Homeschooled, Peter also has been a student of the German School of CT for many years and has completed two summer Great Books programs in New Hampshire and Wyoming. A current member of the West Hartford Blackhearts rugby team, he enjoys sailing, snowboarding, outdoor adventure, and musical jam sessions with his friends on his cello, and, most recently, bass guitar.
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Graduating From:
Ellington High School
Instrument:
Clarinet
Private Lesson Instructor:
Curt Blood
Ensembles:
Connecticut Youth Symphony, Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble
Elizabeth will be attending the University of Chicago to study Public Policy and Sociology!
More about Elizabeth:
In addition to her clarinet lessons with Curt Blood, Elizabeth has enjoyed playing tenor saxophone in jazz band, serving as the pianist for the Ellington LDS Church, and leading her school's chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society throughout her high school career. When she's not practicing music, Elizabeth can be found at her job scooping ice cream or building her cactus collection with her little brothers. Elizabeth is also passionate about politics and criminal justice.
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Graduating From:
Hall High School
Instrument:
Cello
Private Lesson Teacher:
Laura Kane
Additional HCD Involvements:
Stringendo, Sinfonia, Opus '89, Connecticut Youth Symphony, Summer Master Classes
Sasha will be attending Yale University to study Statistics and Data Science!
More about Sasha:
Sasha Lioutikova has been playing the cello since the age of nine. She was introduced to HCD through Stringendo at age ten and worked her way up to CYS in her junior year of high school. She first studied under Emily Wolfram and has studied at HCD under Laura Kane for five years. Sasha played in Bristow Middle School’s honors chamber orchestra, Bristow Bows, in seventh and eighth grade and is currently a member of I Giovani Solisti, West Hartford’s selective high school chamber ensemble. In addition to playing the cello, Sasha has been dancing for 14 years and has participated in Pops n’ Jazz, West Hartford’s annual grand production that showcases musicians, singers, and dancers, throughout her four years of high school. Sasha will attend Yale University in the fall, where she will study Statistics and Data Science while participating in a few of the many instrumental and dance ensembles.
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Graduating From:
Hall High School
Area of Study:
Ballet
Activities:
Pre-Professional Program, HarttWorks, Spring Festival, The Nutcracker
Additional HCD Involvements:
From Studio to Stage summer program, Youth American Grand Prix (top 12 in Senior Division, finalist ensemble), Connecticut Classic Ballet Scholarship Competition (Bronze in Senior Division)
Susannah will be attending the University of Oklahoma to study ballet!
More about Susannah:
Susannah started dancing when she was seven and has been with HCD's pre-professional division for the last three years. She has attended several prestigious summer intensives, including American Ballet Theatre (New York) and Ellison Ballet. This summer she will be with Bolshoi Ballet Academy. She has performed featured roles in numerous ballet and modern productions with Hartt Community Division, Ballet Theatre Company, and Exit 12 Dance Company.
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Graduating From:
Canton High School
Area of Study:
Soprano Voice, Clarinet
Private Lesson Teacher:
Nancy Anderson, Alan Francis
Ensembles:
Primi Voci
Additional HCD Involvements:
Harmony Winds, Philharmonia Winds, Greater Hartford Youth Ensemble, HarttWorks, Performer's Certificate, Connecticut Children's Chorus for 12 years, Vocal Honors
Sarah will be attending the University of Connecticut to study Voice Performance, and hopes to add on a second major in Music Composition!
More about Sarah:
Sarah began her vocal studies with Louise Fauteux.
She is a fellow of the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship at the Bushnell and a Vocal Honors participant at Hartt. She has won First Place Voice in the Hartford Musical Club Competition, First Place Classical the CT NATS Competition, and placed as a finalist in the NYC Schmidt Competition. Last summer, she attended the Washington National Opera Institute and performed at the Kennedy Center. She has been a member of Regional and All-State groups for chorus, band and orchestra. At Canton, Sarah has enjoyed being a teaching assistant for the Freshman Chorus and music directing two children's musicals, as well as writing the music for a one-act musical called "College Road Trip: The Musical." She is also an avid composer and was so excited to have a choral piece premiered by Primi Voci at their 2019 concert. Sarah wants to thank HCD for making a career in music seem perfectly natural. She still remembers her first CCC audition with Mr. Rhone in the summer before first grade. That day started everything, and then she just fell in love with music more and more.
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Graduating From:
South Windsor High School
Instrument:
Piano
Private Lesson Teacher:
Kamilla Mammedova
Nicholas will be attending Boston University to study Biomedical Engineering!
More about Nicholas:
Nicholas began studying piano in 2010, and has since performed in numerous recitals. He has also played trumpet in multiple ensembles at South Windsor High, including Spectrum Band accompanying the competition show choir, SWHS Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Ensemble. He was selected several times to perform as a student musician by both the New England Music Festival and the Connecticut Eastern Region Music Festival Jazz Ensemble. In addition to music, Nick has been a Boy Scout for many years and recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a member of the South Windsor High School Varsity Swim Team and the South Windsor Seals Swim Team. He is also an avid skier.
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Graduating From:
Northwestern Region 7
Instrument:
Oboe
Private Lesson Teacher:
Charles Huang
Ensembles:
Connecticut Youth Symphony, Chamber Music
Additional HCD Involvements:
Hartt Preparatory Academy
Oslo will be attending the University of New Hampshire to study Music Education!
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Graduating From:
Avon High School
Area of Study:
Voice
Private Lesson Teacher:
Craig Hart
Bridget will be attending Houghton College to study Music Industry!
More about Bridget:
Bridget is a senior at Avon High School where she sings in the select Camerata Choir. She enjoyed participating in the AHS production of Seussical. She has also participated in the CMEA Northern Regional Music Festivals and the All-State Festival Women's Treble Choir.
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Graduating From:
Simsbury High School
Area of Study:
Soprano Voice
Private Lesson Teacher:
Nancy Anderson
Additional HCD Involvements:
Primi Voci (2 years), Musicianship, HCD's Performance Certificate Program
Emily will be attending Brigham Young University to study Vocal Performance!
More about Emily:
Emily is a member of the theater department, the tennis team, National Honors Society, Tri-M, Simsbury Singers, and the student leader for No Fella’ A Capella. She has performed in the CMEA Honors Choir, OAKE Youth Choir, CT Northern Region Choir, and the CT All State choir. Emily has enjoyed performing in many theatre and opera scene productions. Emily is a fellow with the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT. She is the recipient of the Bel Canto award, first place in the High School Competition of the Musical Club of Hartford, a semi-finalist at the Orpheus Vocal Competition, second place in the CT NATS Vocal Competition, second place in the Schmidt Vocal Competition, recipient of the Elizabeth Carlson Performing Arts Scholarship, and first place winner of the National Federation Martha Mack Vocal Award. Emily has enjoyed singing at the Berkshire Choral International, and attending vocal programs at Miami University and Westminster Choir College. She has attended the Washington National Opera Institute and the NYC Metropolitan Opera High School Intensive. Emily has a deep love for singing. She will be attending Brigham Young University this fall, where she will study vocal performance and pursue her goal of singing opera professionally.
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Thank you to all of the chamber ensembles who performed at the Honors Chamber Music Competition. The adjudicators commented on how beautifully all ensembles performed. All groups demonstrated a high level of musicality and professionalism that epitomizes the chamber music program here at The Hartt School Community Division!
We are pleased to announce this year’s Honors Chamber Ensembles:
16 Strings String Quartet coached by Teri Einfeldt
Lauren Gauvin, Samantha Kramer, Anna Gedicks, and Maggie Slap
The Brass Quintet coached by Cay Cummings
Vigil Brandon, Aaron Ouellette, Kim Manchester, Chanjoo Kim, and Eric Venables
Past Chamber Honors Recipients Include:
2017-2018
The Sprucetops Guitar Quartet coached by Daniel Hartington
The Dvorak Piano Quintet coached by Sima Brodsky and Emlyn Ngai
The Bass Quintet coached by Steve Larson
2016-2017
String Quintet coached by Mickey Reisman
The Fibonacci Trio coached by Sima Brodsky
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On May 18, Esther Shuyue Cao led the Chinese Music Tradition's Student Showcase. All students performed beautifully to
a full-house!
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Mindy Zhao and
Julia Zheng, from the studio of Sima Brodsky, participated in the Young Artist Piano Competition in Westfield, Massachusetts
on April 27.
Mindy won first place in grade 6, and
Julia won first place
in grade 8!
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Julia Zheng went on to win first place in the 2019 Connecticut Junior Piano Competition. She won the title after performing in the final round in New York City on April 28.
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On May 18, several students took part in the Jr. and Sr. Division
HCD Vocal Honors Recital.
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Participants from left to right:
(First Row)
Jenna Ptachcinski, Erin Goodridge, Kate Sorensen, Matthew Bussell, Silvan Friedman, Ilana Brown
(Second Row)
Eva Kristianova, Katie Brough, Sarah Yeisley, Paige McHenry, Callista White, Victoria Boustani, Kayla Resnisky, Emily Steele, Sarah Marze, and Bridget Sobolewski.
Missing from group photo:
Jr. Division students Calleigh Fucci, Alice McClure, and Amy Song and Senior Division students Alba Clarke, Avery Coe, Emily Cubbage, Danielle Golden, Yumelo Stern, and Charlie Uthgenannt.
Congratulations to these students and their teachers:
Nancy Andersen, Danny Brevik, Michelle Fiertek Jennifer Fijal-Brevik, Craig Hart, Dana Kephart, Susan Mardinly, and Janelle Robinson!
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Congratulations to our Bel canto Award recipients! This scholarship award is given in support of students who have excelled in classical singing at the Vocal Honors Adjudication.
Left:
Charlie Uthgenannat and Alba Clarke - Bel canto Award Recipients 2019, students of Nancy Andersen and Jennifer Fijal-Brevik
Center:
Eleanor Caplan, Benefactor
Right:
Eva Kristianova - Bel canto Award 2018, student of Susan Mardinly
Emily Steele - Bel canto Award 2017, student of Nancy Andersen
Congratulations to these students and their teachers!
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The 2019 American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition was held in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Su Li, violin student of Melinda Daetsch, along with Jade Wong, violin student of Mickey Reisman, and Alexander Cooke-Politicos, piano student of Barbara Johnson, performed Piazolla’s “Libertango” as a result of having been awarded third prize in their division of the competition!
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Six of Teri Einfeldt's students were chosen as finalists in the Connecticut Chapter of the American String Teachers' Association Competition. All entrants had to submit videos of two contrasting pieces, and then prepare one piece to perform at a recital in Founders Hall at CCSU.
From left to right:
Lauren Gauvin, Hannah Adler (winner, Senior Division), Willa Brasch (winner, Junior Division), Mindy Zhao (Honorable Mention, Junior Division), Teri Einfeldt, Samantha Kramer, and John Kramer.
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HCD students participated in the Virtuoso Pianists Competition organized by the Hartford Music Teachers' Alliance. The competition took place on April 28th, with the Winners' Concert taking place on May 4th in the Trinity College Austin Performing Arts Center.
The following Community Division students received prizes:
- Brady Xu and Jane Xue, students of Malgosia Lis and Nina Miller
- Alice Li and Summer Wang, students of Malgosia Lis and Nina Miller
- Chloe Song, student of Sima Brodsky
- Jimmy Dong and Jason Nguyen, students of Maggie Francis and Malgosia Lis
- Liya Tang, student of Malgosia Lis
- Honorable Mention: Drew Addo and Audrey Zhang, students of Liz Seidel and Arthur Villar
- Thomas Carty and Anthony Luo, students of Pi-Hsun Shih
- Vien Le, student of Malgosia Lis
- Honorable Mention: Logan Yuan, student of Pi-Hsun Shih
- Andy Dong and Grace Nieh, students of Maggie Francis
- Ethan Florian, student of Maggie Francis
- En-Hua Holtz and Marwynn Somridhivej, students of Maggie Francis and Dina Simanovich
- Christina Henares and Tina Ma, students of Dina Simanovich and Maggie Francis
- Julius Shieh and Ivy Nguyen, students of Maggie Francis and Malgosia Lis
- Honorable Mention: Marisol Carty, student of Maggie Francis
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Flutist Barbara Hopkins and violinist Debby Tyler will be performing on July 18 as part of the Hop River Chamber Music Series.
The Thursday evening concerts (July 11, 18 and 25) are at 7:30 P.M. and are held at the First Congregational Church (
359 Route 6, Andover, CT
). Admission is free! Suggested donation $10.
On July 18, the second concert, the program is:
Dvořák – Terzetto in C Major, Op. 74 for two violins and viola
Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050 for flute, violin and harpsichord with strings
Franck – Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34
We hope to see you there!
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Have a wonderful summer!
The newsletter will not be distributed during the months of July and August, but will pick back up again in September! Our weekly Monday Mailer will continue on, delivering HCD updates each week.
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