15 Area Students Join the Music Academy’s MERIT Extended Program
For Immediate Release November 13, 2007
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA— The Music Academy of the West’s MERIT Extended Program has accepted 15 young classical musicians for nine months of study and performance under the guidance of local professionals. Ranging in age from 12 to 18, this year’s MERIT Extended students are: Kelsey Beisecker, flute (Santa Barbara); Kelly Bold, French horn (Goleta); Leland Hsu, violin (Santa Barbara); Oige Keane, violin (Los Olivos); Fillip Kozachuk, piano (Santa Barbara); Jessica Kozuchuk, flute (Santa Barbara); Elisabeth Linn, piano (Goleta); Oriane Mathys, cello (Santa Barbara); Camille Miller, violin (Santa Barbara); Seth Noorzad, viola (Goleta); True Randall, clarinet (Ventura); Lila Reynolds, cello (Santa Barbara): Rishika Singh, flute (Santa Barbara); Cam Tran, violin (Santa Barbara); and Cameron Wray, French horn (Ventura).
MERIT Extended students, who are selected upon auditioning for the nine-month enrichment program, participate in one of five chamber ensembles, receive coaching twice a month, and take part in masterclasses and performances at the Music Academy throughout the school year. The aim is to provide promising students with an opportunity to expand their chamber music education.
Inaugurated in 1998, MERIT (Music Education Reinforces Intellect and Talent) provides musicians ages 12 to 18 with an intensive two-week immersion in the Academy’s Summer School and Festival and mentoring from Academy Fellows. Directed by Linda Holland and supported by gifts from the Bank of America Foundation, the Henry E. and Lola Monroe Foundation, and United Way of Santa Barbara County, the program operates from September through May as MERIT Extended.
Applications for the 2008 Summer MERIT Program will be available in February. For more information, contact Ms. Holland at 687-6875.
Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation’s preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and frequent performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, as well as guest conductors and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and Fellows receive full scholarships (tuition, room, and board). Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many enjoy careers as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 175 public events annually, including performances by faculty, visiting artists, and Fellows; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and fully staged opera. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
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