Music InstituteAnnounces Inaugural Recipients of Academy Fellowships

The Music Institute of Chicago, recognizing extraordinarily talented pre-college musicians, has announced six recipients of its inaugural Academy Fellowships. The prestigious Fellowships are named for the generous benefactors who have provided full underwriting for the new program.

The Kathy and Gerhard Bette Academy Fellowship was awarded to violinist Laura Park. The Susan and Richard Kiphart Academy Fellowships were awarded to pianist Kate Liu, violinist Alexandra Switala, and violinist Gallia Kastner. The Betsey and John Puth Academy Fellowship was presented to cellist Johannes Gray. Finally, The Sage Foundation Academy Fellowship was awarded to violinist Kelly Talim.

Chosen from a field of 14 young students who auditioned before a distinguished panel of internationally recognized music educators and performers, each Academy Fellow receives a scholarship covering 95 percent of tuition for a year of study in the Academy, exclusive opportunities to perform and coach with an array of world-class guest artists, and complimentary sessions of professional recording and piano accompanist services for competitions and conservatory auditions.

The Music Institute of Chicago established the Academy Fellowship program to serve pre-collegiate students of the absolute highest talent level, offering the tools and opportunities to pursue and fulfill their professional aspirations. The Academy Fellowship recipients have a promising chance at professional solo, chamber music, or orchestral careers. Academy Fellows must exhibit an uncommon level of dedication and work on the most advanced repertoire.

Founded in 2006, the Music Institute of Chicago Academy has established itself as one of the most respected pre-collegiate conservatory programs in the United States. The Academy’s internationally recognized faculty, rigorous curriculum, and instructional model, as well as the program’s highly gifted students, have solidified its preeminent reputation. Students in this prestigious program have come from throughout the United States, as well as from Central and South America, Europe, Japan, China, and Korea. The very selective program focuses on providing an intensive and comprehensive musical education and significant performance opportunities for developing musicians. The carefully assembled faculty represents teachers and performers with a passion for developing young talent and an established reputation for student achievement.

Approximately 50 young musicians participate in all aspects of the curriculum, including private lessons with Academy artist faculty, a rigorous chamber music component, a stimulating chamber orchestra, and accelerated music theory classes. Pianists additionally study keyboard literature and skills in an intimate group setting. A hallmark of the Academy is the weekly master classes with some of the world’s most celebrated artists and educators. The Academy introduces students to a vast music community of peer musicians, pedagogical styles, and the rigors of conservatory training. The nation’s most elite college and university music conservatories, including The Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, the Eastman School of Music, and the New England Conservatory, actively pursue graduates of the four-year program.

About the Fellowship Recipients

Laura Park, age 17, home-schooled, Des Plaines
First laureate of many competitions, including the Chautauqua Music Festival’s Sigma Alpha Iota Concerto Competition, Walgreens National Concerto Competition, and the Lipizer International Violin Competition in Gorizia, Italy, where she won fourth prize in 2010: “I have met so many mentors, colleagues, and friends through the Academy. Thanks to an unprecedented number of master classes and enrichment opportunities, I have not only learned the fundamentals like theory and ensemble work, but also discovered there are many layers to music—and it requires all of the heart, mind, and soul.”

Kate Liu, age 17, New Trier, Winnetka
One of 150 National Finalists performing in 2012 YoungArts Week, won first prize and best performance of commissioned work at 2010 New York International Piano Competition, performed with Lang Lang at Chicago’s Symphony Center in 2008: “Music has always been the center of my life ever since I first sat down at the piano and played. I started piano when I was four years old and have been at the Music Institute for seven years now. The Academy was one of the driving forces that encouraged me to pursue piano as my future career.”

Alexandra Switala, age 17, home-schooled, Evanston/Texas
Winner of the Sphinx Competition Junior Division in 2011, leading to engagements with orchestras across the nation, including the New World, Buffalo, Cleveland, Ann Arbor, and South Bend symphony orchestras and the New York Philharmonic, and took second place in the 2011 Cooper International Competition: “Music is as important to me as breathing, and I cannot imagine living without it, or not being able to share it. I also feel very fortunate to have found the perfect program to nurture my development. The Academy surrounds me with other like-minded and hard-working musicians that keep me motivated and focused.”

Gallia Kastner, age 14, John Hersey High School, Arlington Heights
First place winner of the 2010 Walgreens National Concerto Competition Junior Division: “Without the Academy, I would not be where I am now. I believe in the beauty and all of the advantages music can bring to the world. I look forward to giving back my gift of music to the community whenever I am needed.”

Johannes Gray, age 14, New Trier, Wilmette
First place winner of the 2011 Crain-Maling Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Auditions: “As a Fellow, I would like to encourage young musicians the same way other musicians have inspired me, including the Music Institute alumni and faculty. No matter what career path I decide to take later in life, I will always play the cello.”

Kelly Talim, age 16, Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire
First prize at the 2011 Blount-Slawson competition in Alabama and a laureate at the 2011 Cooper International Competition and 2011 Crain-Maling Foundation Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Auditions: “Music has been a part of my life since I was born. As I developed, I realized that music is a very powerful force; it can make one laugh or cry, and when one really connects with music, it’s a wonderful feeling. The Academy is a vigorous program that is challenging but fun. With so many talented individuals, we can grow as people and musicians.”

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