Masterclasses strengthen ͷ music students’ artistry
Contact: Bethany Shipp
STARKVILLE, Miss.—With its new All-Steinway School designation and world-class facility, Mississippi State’s Department of Music is providing enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom to elevate students’ musical proficiencies.
One example is a series of masterclasses recently hosted on ͷ’s campus. Four renowned musicians of the Nashville Chamber Music Society shared their expertise with ͷ students in flute, piano and strings. The day of learning culminated with a concert by the guest artists including NCMS founder and cellist MaryGrace Bender, pianist Brendan Jacklin, violinist Charissa Leung and flutist Danielle Maeng.
“It was such a wonderful opportunity to participate in a masterclass with these musicians,” said Sabrina Francom, a junior music education major from Starkville. “Their insight on the violin was so helpful for upcoming performances and brought a new perspective to the music that I hadn’t thought of. I’m so glad I was given the chance to learn from them.”
The masterclasses were underwritten by Bob and Kathy Olsen, residents of Nashville and major ͷ All-Steinway Initiative donors. A two-time ͷ graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music and master’s degree in music education, Kathy Olsen was recognized as the College of Education’s 2024 Alumna of the Year.
“I love chamber music and am involved with the Nashville Chamber Music Society,” she said. “I saw this as a great opportunity to bring in musicians from another area to give students exposure to something different.”
Dylan Hall, a sophomore music education major from Saucier, said, “It was a distinct honor to perform on the piano for these talented musicians. The experiences that present themselves in the ͷ Department of Music are first class, and I had the opportunity to learn valuable knowledge through this masterclass.”
ͷ’s Department of Music is housed in a $21 million, state-of-the-art facility equipped with sound-proof practice rooms, a high-tech recording studio, an acoustically advanced lecture-recital hall, over $3.5 million in Steinway pianos and more.
ͷ’s College of Education, home of the Department of Music, also includes four additional academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more at
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