Performance Opportunities
Master Classes
The Performing Arts Center and the Music Department play host to a number of concert artists each year. Visiting artists often give master classes at UNLV and the Music Department has a special program called Artists in Residence, through which artist teachers and performers get a chance to work with all the students enrolled in the piano area. Since Las Vegas is on a Western Crossroads for traveling musicians, the list of artists who worked at UNLV is lengthy and impressive: Pascal Roge, Robert Taub, Boris Slutsky (Peabody Institute), Reena Berger (Pittsburg State University), Jerome Rose (Mannes College), Gianluca Luisi (Accademia delle Marche, Italy), Dr. Daniel Shapiro (Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, OH), Dr. Donna Lee (Kent State University, OH), Dr. Kent McWilliams (St. Olaf College, Northfield MN), Dr. Michael Injae Kim (Lawrence University, Appleton, WI), James Bonn, and Dr. Stewart Gordon (USC), Fei Xu - to cite a few. All the artists above have worked with the UNLV piano students in a master class setting. Each year, the piano area invites up to nine artist teachers to work in a master class
UNLV Concerto Competition
Each year the Music Department holds a concerto competition open to all full-time music majors. The winners perform as soloists with the school orchestra in the next concert season.
UNLV Chamber Players
Each year Dr. Mykola Suk organizes several concerts in various venues of Las Vegas, including churches, small theaters, and the like. Students may perform in several group recitals or give a solo recital. These opportunities to perform represent a wonderful experience for the preparation of other performances, competitions, juries, and they are helpful to the students' development.
Music Among Friends
This series of concerts takes place up to eight times a year on the third Friday of each month at UNLV. While the series is designed mostly for faculty appearances, students are often involved as soloists or with faculty members.
Piano Club of Las Vegas
Dr. Enrico Elisi coordinates a number of events in several piano stores of Las Vegas as well as other venues. Students from the community join UNLV students in performance of solo music, as well as four-hand, six-hand, and two-piano repertoire. Chamber music is often part of this series too. For more information, see PCLV.
Green Valley Chamber Music Festival
Press Release: February 20, 2007
Chamber Music Festival Coming to UNLVIn 2006, Enrico Elisi held a festival at UNLV for about 35 students who play string instruments and piano. "It's as if people have been waiting for this for a long time, and finally they have the opportunity," Elisi said. This year, the pair is looking for musicians age 14 through college to participate in the festival in August. The application is due March 1, with an audition on March 25. Ghoukasian explained that unlike other music festivals in the valley, the Green Valley Chamber Music Festival focuses on duets, trios and quartets rather than a large group. "It takes students from different levels and gives them the chance to get started," she said. Elisi said the students learn to listen to others more than they would in a solo situation or large group. "A lot of festivals are oriented toward private lessons. We really stress ensemble music," Elisi said. Ghoukasian said that in addition to a concert and rehearsals, the students learn music history and the technical side of music. Students had the opportunity to work with four faculty members last year. This year, Ghoukasian said a musician and professor from Utah State will be in Las Vegas to work with the students. She said the level of responsibility among the students was impressive. "When you see a group of teenagers who can really rise above the norm, I really think it's wonderful to know there's more than just the bad things about teens you see in the news," she said. Elisi said that he felt a vibe of excitement at last year's final concert. "They were all so engaged. You could feel the vibes. You could see it physically, not just by looking," he said. By the end of the week, Elisi said the group had developed a sense of camaraderie. Last year's festival carried over throughout the year, resulting in more performances from the various groups and a mailing list with which they kept in touch, networked and sent out job opportunities. The festival is now offering assistantships and scholarships based on merit. For more information and application, see Green Valley Chamber Music Festival.
Las Vegas Music Festival
Each year the LVMF based at UNLV, brings to Las Vegas renowned artists such as Jerome Lowenthal, Nelita True, Gabriel Chodos, Ursula Oppens, for example. Students can apply and participate in master classes and recitals.
Chamber Music
UNLV offers young pianists a chance to perform chamber music during the regular school year. Some of the classes involving preparation of chamber music literature for performance are as follows: Accompanying class (graduates and undergraduates take part and collaborate with instrumentalists and singers), Piano Ensemble (Students rehearse and perform chamber music for various instrumental combinations), Special Ensemble (Students rehearse and perform chamber music for unusual instrumental combinations. Groups are formed involving voice, strings, woodwinds, brass or percussion.
Orchestra
Preparation and performance of orchestral literature involving piano or harpsichord. Provides experience in blending with a group and following a conductor. Several opportunities occur each season.
Community Concerts
There are several venues in Las Vegas for pianists to perform their recitals. Several retirement homes have grand pianos available for in-house concerts; these are greeted with enthusiasm and gratitude by the retirees and staff.
Other Sources of Income
Many pianists find employment in the numerous places of worship in Las Vegas. Some have become choir or musical directors, while others play for the services and choir rehearsals. Community Musical Theaters and high schools often call upon our pianists to rehearse and perform in their productions. A majority of our piano majors earn additional income through private teaching. Many of our pianists are in demand as solo performers playing for parties and dinners both on and off campus.