PLATTEVILLE – In April, Eugene Alcalay, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, was invited to perform a recital and master class entitled “Relaxing and Enjoying Performing in Public” for aspiring piano students in the Madison area. The success of the first event led to a second invitation from Grant Billings, executive director of the Steinway Piano Society of Madison, to do a Part II event following a teachers appreciation breakfast on July 28.

“Eugene’s compassionate and energetic approach made the students at ease and focused at the same time,” Billings said. “Just as his first Master Class in Madison last spring, all of our attendees appreciated Eugene’s style and would recommend his classes to others.”

“I am so happy to collaborate again with Mr. Grant Billings and the Steinway Society of Madison,” Alcalay said. Alcalay had first worked with Billings in 2007 when he was recording his “Lyrical Liszt” at the UWP’s Center for the Arts.

The master class, which took place at the Madison Club, was meant to help students with challenging pieces. According to Alcalay, five students from middle school to college age participated in the master class. The master class lasted two hours with 20 minutes of instruction per student.

“We did some instant evaluations of the class with comments from the teachers,” Alcalay said. “I greatly enjoyed working with the kids and spending a bit of time with their teachers afterwards.”

For more information regarding the event, contact Alcalay at (608) 342-1292 or alcalaye@uwplatt.edu

posted by Lee S. Jadaan @ 10:12 AM