Harmonizing Summer: WAU’s Vibrant Music Camps Foster Global Connections
While much of the WAU campus was dormant during the summer months, one corner of the campus was alive with music through July and August. From July 8 – 19, Flute-a-rama, run by WAU flute instructor Melissa Lindon, was held in the Peters Music Center. Designed for students from grades 6-12, over 30 students took part in the events that included ensembles, music classes, yoga, and games, and culminated with a concert at the end of each week. About Flute-a-rama, a local Band Director said, “Flute-a-rama is one of the best music summer camps in the state. I have had many students tell me it is their favorite part of the summer!”
From July 22-24, the DMV Brass and Winds Academy, led by WAU French horn instructor Larry Williams and WAU bassoon instructor Cheryl Nkeba, was held on our campus. WAU instructors, Melissa Lindon and Miriam Friedman, were also on the faculty. Twenty-two high school aged students took part in this festival which featured ensemble playing, mindfulness workshops, masterclasses, and a performance workshop.
Finally, from August 5-9, the ASME@WAU Summer Music Festival was held on our campus. Students from China, locally, and throughout the United States spent the week at WAU attending music lessons, music classes, chamber music rehearsals and coachings, and recitals. The students from China took English classes each day with Professor Richard Grant.
The week culminated with a special event at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC that celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the United States. This event featured speeches by Minister Jing Quan, Deputy Chief at the Chinese Embassy, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, and Maryland Senator Clarence Lam. The music portion of the event featured selections by both Chinese and American composers and highlighted over 40 young musicians sharing the stage. Among the performers were WAU students: Lysle Follette (who sang in both English and Chinese!), Gabriella Apola, Drusilla Apola, Rachel Helm, Angel Contreras, Sofiia Yatsyshyna, Niamh Sheridan, and Veronica Anzola. WAU was also well represented among the festival faculty: Daniel Lau, piano; Preston Hawes, violin; Dan Zhang, viola; Shawn Alger, bass; Deborah Thurlow, voice; and Kay Lim, piano.
Co-directors Daniel Lau and Dan Zhang sought to create an environment where the highest level of music making could be achieved in a joyful fashion. Dr. Lau stated, “Seeing young people from the United States and China making beautiful music together highlights the commonalities of the human experience and serves as an inspiration for future relations between the two countries.”
Elizabeth Davis, a 16-year-old piano student from New Jersey, wrote this to her festival teacher, “Thank you so much for all you’ve taught me during my week at the festival. Whether it was fingerings and additional advice for Mamma Mia or the help with passion and hand positions, I really felt like I’ve improved so much. I’ll put all you taught me into the pieces I do in the future. I hope to see you next year!”
Ziyu Zhao, a 15-year-old double bassist from Beijing China, said, “My favorite thing this week was making friends with the American students and sharing the stage with them! I hope to have more opportunities like this.”
Fourteen-year-old pianist Erhan “Jagger” Zhang from Beijing China said, “I really enjoyed my time at the festival. I learned a lot from the professors and from my new American friends!”
“Deep appreciation to Dr. Lau and the Music department faculty for hosting the Music Festival,” said the President of Washington Adventist University, Dr. Weymouth Spence.
Many thanks to the American Society of Musical Excellence, Montgomery Sister Cities, Inc., the Mei Tang Sheng Yue Studio, WAU Facilities, Transportation, Residence Halls Deans, and Music Department, and the Chinese Embassy, all of whom were key partners to this week’s success.