Thanks to all who helped make the recent
Masterclass in Napa with Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway
such a wonderful experience for flute enthusiasts! Flutists who enrolled in Sir James' adult class and Lady Galway's Teen Event came from 24 California counties, plus four other states, Puerto Rico, and three foreign countries.
Sir James was introduced to the stage by Isabelle Chapuis Starr, whose charming remembrances of encounters with a young James Galway reminded
all that he had been classical music's iconoclast, before becoming one of its reigning icons. She later watched her own student perform for him.
The event was fully subscribed with 235 in attendance. Over 100 of the flute players brought their own flutes to participate in group exercises led by Sir James, focusing on his famous "investigative method." Sir James also worked with six individual performers across the day. Approximately 30 students participated in a separate masterclass for teen flutists that was taught by Lady Galway, who in addition led a flute choir session for them in the afternoon.
The classes ended with a concert for all by the teens ~ joined in moments
by Sir James and Lady Galway, who afterward played an excerpt
from the Cimarosa concerto for a most enthusiastic audience.
Performers in Sir James' masterclass were Michelle Caimotto, Frieda Chan, Ai Goldsmith, Alice Kaplun, Taryn Richards, and Lisa Schroeder. For Lady Galway's teen masterclass, performers were Corey Cassell, Angela Douglass, Kaili Masamoto, and Elena Pinderhughes.
Accompanists for the masterclasses were two Bay Area favorites, pianists
Miles Graber and Irene Gregorio. In addition, Barnaby Palmer, artistic director and conductor of S.F. Lyric Opera, and Carol Alban, director of the Fluteville Flute Choir, assisted Lady Galway in coaching the Teen Event
participants for their flute choir performance.
The day also included two Atrium Concerts for all visitors to COPIA.
Multi-instrumentalist and composer John Calloway partnered with 12-year-old student Elena Pinderhughes to provide a lively performance of improvisational jazz at noon. Performing an early morning concert of Baroque music were
soloist Elizabeth Gaston, just back from Keowee where she was the festival's principal guest artist, and the duo of Carol Alban and Nancy Tyler, of the
Bay Area Chamber Symphony.
This inspirational and enjoyable day was made possible first and
foremost by the Galways' extraordinary kindness and their
unwaivering commitment to educational outreach.
Flute Bay Area extends warmest appreciation as well
to the following contributors, supporters and volunteers,
who also made possible The Masterclass in Napa:
The Galway Network and Galway Junior Network
Festival del Sole
COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts
Nagahara Flutes/NNI, Inc.
A&G Music/House of Woodwinds/Union Music
California Music Educators Association - Bay Section
The Flute Network
Hal Leonard, Inc.
J.L. Smith & Co.
The Musical Offering
Plus The Following Individuals:
Velma Bogart, Robert Calonico, Mallory Craig-Karim, Norman Dea,
Tom Driscoll, Camille Fischer, James Fidelibus, Anne Harris,
Felix Karim, Melanie Keller, Mary McDonald, Forrest Merrill,
Barbara Ogar, Hal Peterson, Nancy Quinn, Ann Rasmussen,
Mark Richter, David Stier, Jacob Stier, Amanda Wadleigh
Special thanks and recognition are also due to our
Masterclass Advisory Board members,
who so generously donated their expertise and efforts
to make the event memorable:
Amy Likar, Carol Alban, Daryn Stier, John Calloway
Karen Van Dyke, Kathleen Craig, and Libby Craig (ex officio)
Napa Masterclass Photographs Copyright Flute Bay Area, 2007. Photographer: James Fidelibus.
