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Itzhak and Toby Perlman have created a unique summer program for young string players
Although soloist Itzhak Perlman is known to millions of listeners and viewers around the world as a virtuoso violinist, a conductor, and an eloquent spokesman for cultural and humane causes, few are aware of the scope of his work as a teacher and mentor for a new generation of young musicians.
Perlman, who has given master classes for nearly three decades, joined the faculty of the Juilliard School in 1999. But despite the growing demands on his time-including his recent appointment as principal guest conductor of the Detroit Symphony-Perlman also finds time to coach and mentor 35 young musicians, ages 11-18, enrolled in the Perlman Music Program.
Cofounded in 1994 by Toby Perlman, a former violinist, and Suki Sandler, a friend, the program offers a unique musical opportunity to young string players and pianists with exceptional talent. I recently met with the Perlmans to discuss the program. "It is the realization of a dream-a dream that came from my own life experience, and my experience as a parent with children who are serious musicians," Toby revealed. "It wasn't that there weren't good programs-there are some very fine programs-but I wanted to do something different." The Perlman program is unusual in that it emphasizes solo playing and is intimate, with a very high faculty-to-student ratio. But it is the luminous presence of Itzhak Perlman that makes this program unique.
Another interesting aspect of the current program is its continuity. It has grown from a summer program to one that goes on throughout the year. As Itzhak Perlman explained, "What we are really doing is giving the kids a chance to perform and have new and varied experiences. It is so important at this early age not to perform in pressure-filled `professional' venues, but just to perform, which is pressure enough."
The Perlman program sponsors events at least once a month with participating students in the New York metropolitan area, and occasionally with some from out of town and abroad. Not only do these events take place all year, but students are in constant communication with each other and with their coaches from the summer. This spring, program participants provided an evening...