Friday, May 31st, 2019
2:00pm-4:00pm Hudson, OH 44236 University of Northwestern
FREE for NEOMTA members $20 for non-NEOMTA members
Dr. Paul Wirth is a prominent figure in our national piano teaching community. With his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Temple University, and his Master and Doctorate degrees in Piano Performance from Indiana University, he co-founded and is now the Artistic Director of the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts in St. Cloud, MN, a bustling performing arts center with over 350 students taught by a faculty of twenty. Since 2015, he has also been on the faculty of the University of Northwestern, MN as Artist in Residence. Chosen as the 2004-05 Teacher of the Year by Thursday Musical, Wirth has taught numerous first prize-winning students of regional, national and international competitions - with thirty-six of his pre-college students having performed over eighty solo performances with orchestra, including appearances with the Minnesota and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestras. In addition to his presentations at conventions and conferences, Dr. Wirth’s GRAVI-DVD - a cutting edge DVD on teaching piano technique to children - is available on Youtube, with the Gravi-DVD II now in production.
His masterclasses, most recently at the University of Minnesota are always well received, and his presentations, drawing upon 37 years as a pre-college specialist teaching advanced concepts to 4 -18 year olds, often elicit further engagements. He is also an avid supporter of young performers, having co-founded the Salon se Lève concert series in Minneapolis and the internationally recognized Young Artist World Piano Festival at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. Dr. Wirth maintains four studios: at the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts in St. Cloud, MN, at the Schmitt Music Center in Brooklyn Center, MN, at the University of Northwestern MN, and at his home in St. Joseph, MN where he lives with his wife and greatest support, Kathy Wirth.
Pre-College students of NEOMTA members wishing to be considered for participation in this master class are required to submit:
1) An online application form. for form.
2) An unedited video recording (either Youtube link OR DVD is accepted)**
** If you are submitting a YOUTUBE LINK, please ensure that the video is "Unlisted" (before uploading the video, select "Unlisted" under Privacy settings). Paste the URL onto the online application form.
If you are submitting a DVD RECORDING, please ensure that the DVD you are mailing includes the following information:
1) the name and age of the student 2) name of teacher 3) name of the work being performed 4) a contact email address and phone number.
Please mail your DVD recording to:
Andrew Focks 4146 Bayard Road South Euclid, OH 44121
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION AND VIDEO RECORDING IS MAY 10TH! Late submissions will not be considered.
An adjudicator will be appointed to review the recordings and select the master class performers.
Notification of accepted students will be made via email on or before May 15th.
All questions can be addressed to NEOMTA President Andrew Focks (andrew.focks@gmail.com). |
2019 Spring Master Class
with Dr. Paul Wirth
