We are proud of our alumni...

Getting Results. Perhaps the successes of the students of our acclaimed faculty are the best examples of their ability to achieve excellence.

David Chan: Laureate of the IX Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow, the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition in England, the Bronze Medal in the 1994 Indianapolis International Competition, Concertmaster at the Metropolitan OperaOrchestra in New York, Faculty at the Juilliard School of Music.

Frank Almond: Laureate of the Paganini International Competition in Italy and the VIII Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow, former concertmaster of the Dallas/Fort Worth Symphony and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and current concertmaster of the Rotterdam Philharmonic and London Philharmonic.

Igor Gruppman: Former concertmaster of the London Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, and the Miami Symphony and the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Professor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and current Concertmaster of the Rotterdam Philharmonic.

Soo Young Yoon: Concertmaster of the Korean Radio Orchestra and a professor at the National University of Seoul, Korea.

Nokuthula Ngwenyama: Internationally acclaimed soloist, Laureate of 1993 Primrose Memorial Competition and 1994 Young Concert Artists Audition. Recipient of the 1997 Avery Fisher Career Award.

Susan Dubois: Professor and Chair of String Department at the University of North Texas; Principle Viola, Dallas Opera.

Tiffany Modell: Former Concert Mistress of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Professor at the California Institute of Music.

Yurika Mok: First violinist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City.
Debbie Buck: Violinist with the Lark Quartet.

Erik Ulman: composer,and violinist, has served on the faculties of Stanford and the`University of Illinois at Urbana. A winner of a commission from the Fromm Music Foundation at Harvard, Erik has directed the POTO Festival in the Bay Area since 2004.

Many of our graduates have continued their study at the Juilliard School of Music, Curtis Institute, UCSD, Oberlin Conservatory, Indiana University, Bloomington, New England Conservatory and Eastman School of Music, among others.

What critics say about our students’ performances

"Magic music...skilled chamber orchestra...played (in both senses of the word) with wit and feeling...soloists trilled through the score with clarity andirresistible rhythmic drive." San Diego Union-Tribune

“The fascinating a ccuracy with which he played vehement octave runs, jumps, and spooky hunts demonstrated that he need not fear his competitors.” Allgäuer Zeitung, Germany
“With his astonishing technical accuracy, yet at the same time bewitchingly lyrical softness as well as a wonderfully lucid tone, the 8-year old pianist convinced the audience that there still are child prodigies.” Allgai Kultur, Germany

“Immersed, with his eyes closed, the 11-year old violinist played Tchaikovsky’s Waltz-Scherzo with such stimulating dance-lightness, with such precious and tense melodiousness, that the spellbound audience held their breath.” Füssener Blatt, Germany
How to Get to Carnegie Hall

There is an old joke: A little boy asks older gentleman, “Excuse me sir, could you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?” The older man replies, “Practice, practice and practice my boy!” One of our graduates David Chan knows it very well. David performed Brahms’Concerto with Metropolitan Opera Orchestra under the baton of James Levine.at at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall in 2003 and since then appears regularly there. In fall 2005 David Chan was invited to join faculty of the Juilliard School of Music.

Pasha Tseitlin, Whittney Thomas and David Mayer were chosen to work with Midori on chamber music repertoire and perform with her at public concert (date, time and venue to be announced).

Pasha Tseitlin won 2nd prize and $2,500 in Pasadena Instrumental Competition. Pasha Tseitlin performed with St. Petersburg Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra Mozart Concerto No.5, Bottesini "Grand Duo" and Bach Violin & Oboe Concerto. The performance was recorded and will be available on CD.

David Chan had another highly acclaimed performance (see NY Times review) at Y Hall in NYC. David also gave a master class at CIM on May 14.
 
Debbie Buck was in town the week of March 14th. Her "Lark Quartet" performed at Poway Performing Arts Center and at California Center for the Arts. They also gave a master class at Rancho Bernardo High School. Keita Ishibashi participated in the master class.

Susan Dubois is Chair of String Department at North Texas University.

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