To further implement the national initiative to enhance the practical and innovative capabilities of performance majors, meet the individualized and professional development needs of young musical talents, fundamentally improve stage performance skills, fully realize teaching outcomes, and lay a solid foundation for career development, the "LBM Education Group," "American National Classical Music Performance Arts Federation," "LBM International Arts Education," and the "Kaufman Music Center" have jointly organized the "2024 12th Annual MRL International Music Festival in New York, USA."
This festival integrates the MRL International Youth Music Competition & Showcase, the International Young Artists Opera Workshop, international music camps, Broadway musical theater workshops, Broadway show attendance, featured/graduation concerts, and in-depth visits to Ivy League and top international music schools. Aimed at promoting the globalization of Chinese musical talents, the festival provides a seamless international exchange platform and invaluable opportunities to showcase their artistry on the world stage.
Program Highlights
The MRL International Music Festival features specialized camps and workshops, including Opera Camp, Piano Camp, Musical Theater Workshop, Percussion Camp, String Camp, and Popular Vocal Camp, with masterclasses led by faculty and artists from:
The Juilliard School
Curtis Institute of Music
New England Conservatory
Berklee College of Music
Manhattan School of Music
Mannes School of Music
NYU Steinhardt (Music Department)
Metropolitan Opera conductors and coaches
Broadway stars
These sessions offer personalized guidance, helping participants align with international music education standards and gain rare professional growth opportunities.
MRL Festival Featured Concert: Wuhan Conservatory of Music Showcase
This concert, deeply rooted in Wuhan Conservatory of Music, features performances and creative direction by faculty and students from the conservatory’s National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center.
Artistic Vision:
Guided by the principles of creative transformation and innovative development, the concert leverages Hubei’s local cultural resources to present the distinctive flavors of Chu-style music. Blending modern and traditional musical forms, the program bridges the gap between classical music and contemporary audiences through timely, fashionable, and relatable compositions, while pioneering new dimensions for Hubei’s piano music evolution.
MRL International Music Festival - Musical Theater
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| Terrence Mann, Broadway Master Teacher (Les Misérables: Javert) | Diana Heldman, Professor of Musical Theatre, New York University Steinhardt | Liz Callaway, American Actress/Singer/ Recording Artist | Scott Murphy, Professor of Musical Theatre, New York University Steinhardt | Judy Kuhn, Tony Award-nominated Actress/Singer |
MRL International Music Festival - Vocal
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| Jake Heggie, Professor of Voice, Curtis Institute of Music | Cynthia Hoffman, Former Chair of Voice Department, The Juilliard School | Joan Patenaude-Yarnell, Professor of Voice, Curtis Institute of Music | Marlena Kleinman Malas, Professor of Voice, Curtis Institute of Music | Beth Roberts, Director of Vocal Studies, Mannes School of Music |
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| Karen Holvik, Chair of Voice Department, New England Conservatory | Bradley Williams, Chair of Voice Department, New England Conservatory | Mary Ann McCormick, Professor of Voice, New England Conservatory | Michael Meraw, Professor of Voice, New England Conservatory |
MRL International Music Festival - String Instruments
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| Richard Aaron, Pre-College Cello Faculty, The Juilliard School | Darrett Adkins, Pre-College Cello Faculty, The Juilliard School | Sophie Arbuckle, Pre-College Viola Faculty, The Juilliard School | Frank Huang, Professor of Violin, The Juilliard School | Gary Hoffman, Professor of Cello, Curtis Institute of Music |
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| Wolfram Koessel, Professor of Cello, Manhattan School of Music | Marion Feldman, Professor of Cello, Manhattan School of Music |