In cooperation with Great Lakes Performing Artists Associates (GLPAA), the Lincoln Trio visited Kerrytown last weekend (Nov. 21-22, 2015) for a Saturday afternoon performance and for a masterclass (Sunday) featuring young musicians from local studios.

Listening to the students playing was a real joy and it is truly an inspiration to watch first class musicians engage wholeheartedly in the teaching of young musicians. As if this was not already enough, in the middle of the master class, the Lincoln Trio – Desirée Ruhstrat (violin), David Cunliffe (cello) and Marta Aznavoorian (piano) – gave us a passionate and splendid rendition of Otoño Porteõ (Buenos Aires Autumns) by Astor Piazzolla. What a treat!

Lincoln Trio MC1Setting up this type of events requires hard work and persistence from all parties involved: students, teachers, parents and organizers. It also takes long range planning. The Ann Arbor Area Piano Teachers Guild was able to accept Great Lakes Performing Artists Associates’ offer to co-produce the master class because the Guild has been promoting ensemble playing for the past two years. Without this long-term commitment, we would not have been able to present five groups (with students age 9 to 16,) and, I should add, five groups who were very well rehearsed, ready to play and ready to learn more.

This type of events would not happen without a strong financial commitment and I am very grateful to GLPAA, and its Director, Aileen Rohwer, for reaching out to us and offering to share with us the artistry of the musicians they represent.

Here is a list of the pieces performed:

  • Sonata Op. 1 #3 in A major, III. Adagio; IV. Allegro – A. Corelli
  • “El Choclo” – S. Villoldo (arr. M. McLean)
  • “Swing Your Partner!” – E. R. Rocherolle.
  • Violin duets: I. Praeludium in B minor – D. Shostakovich
  • “Caro Nome” – G. Verdi (arr. D. Kelley)

Students playing were from the studios of Sara Cleveland (cello); Carolyn Lukancic, Diana Longu, Barbara Sturgis-Everett, Anne Ristich, Anna Weller (violin); Jeannette Faber, Aya Higuchi, Veena Kulkarni, Renée Robbins (Piano). Some of these students are currently enrolled in the chamber music program at the Ann Arbor Community Music School, and some have participated in the AAAPTG Piano Ensemble camp last June or the PhoenixPhest in the past.

Lincoln Trio MC3

Indeed, I spent a lot of my time setting up this master class but it was well worth it!

Béatrice Ellis
AAAPTG President