Published: May 02, 2008 06:50 pm         

USAO Summer Workshop

‘Fiddle Fun' set for summer

String players of all ages get another opportunity to work one-on-one with one of the world's premiere violinists at "Fiddle Fun" this summer at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Internationally known violinist and conductor Yuval Waldman will teach the violin, viola and cello camp, scheduled June 16-21 at USAO.

The weeklong camp runs daily, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with no lunch. Registration $300 per students of all ages, and participants can now register up to the morning of the event.

"Fiddle Fun" is designed as a "total immersion program for violin, viola and cello students of all ages and levels: beginner to advanced," planners say. Waldman serves as guest director for the program.

The Russian-born Israeli musician has performed across the globe as a soloist with major orchestras in concerts and on radio and television. Following his New York debut in the International Series of Carnegie Hall, Jeunesse Musicales, Waldman has made appearances across the United States, Canada, Europe and Israel.

Last summer, Waldman directed the first Fiddle Fun string camp. In the fall, he unveiled the first Festival of Music and Ideas, five events celebrating the lives and music of history's most famous composers. The festival runs through spring 2009 at USAO.

Information about the Fiddle Fun program and registration is available from the USAO Office of Academic Affairs at 574-1221 or from Rhenada Finch, event coordinator, at 278-1584. A nonrefundable $75 deposit is due June 1, with the balance due June 16. Families with more than one child participating in the camp will receive a 10 percent discount.

A brochure for the event is available or download online at www.usao.edu/news under Upcoming Events.

In addition to acclaim for his performances of standard repertory, Waldman is well known for his thoughtful and stylish performances and recordings of Baroque music, both as a violinist and as a conductor. He has championed rarely performed 19th century masterpieces and has commissioned and premiered numerous works by contemporary American and Israeli composers.

Waldman currently directs the World Bank Mozart Festival in Washington, D.C., New American Chamber Orchestra in New York City and is first violinist of the Kinor Quartet.

Joining Waldman are Heather Busch, director of the Overture String Orchestra and the Oklahoma City Summer Strings Camp, and Angela Krieger, a cellist and elementary music teacher in Rush Springs.