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Artwaves: Marimba Music on Campus

Marimbasolo.com

This week, Marimba music has echoed through the halls at Humboldt State, due to the International Katarzyna My?ka Marimba Academy. World-renown Marimba soloist Katarzyna My?ka and Marimba One founder Ron Samuels talk to Wendy Butler about the melodic percussion instrument. 

According to Marimba One:
 
The Academy is the brainchild of Mycka, long-time marimba soloist originally from Poland and now living in Germany. "My aim is to create an environment in which students have a chance to play with people who are active in the field," explains Mycka. "Rather than do a masterclass where you have a group listening to one person, I set up a schedule so that every single student gets an individual lesson every day."
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPl6vQ86un8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPl6vQ86un8
The faculty reflects the international exchange fostered during the Academy. In 2017, the faculty includes Katarzyna Mycka, Jean Geoffroy (France), Andreas Boettger (Germany), Juan Forero (Colombia) as well as composer Arkadiusz Katny (Poland). Staff includes Conrado Moya (Spain) and Filip Mercep (Croatia).Katarzyna Mycka, Jean Geoffroy (France), Andreas Boettger (Germany), Juan Forero (Colombia) as well as composer Arkadiusz Katny (Poland). Staff includes Conrado Moya (Spain) and Filip Mercep (Croatia).
 
Of special note is Vibraphone specialist and IKMMA Guest David Friedman (American, living in Germany). Friedman will offer private lessons and a vibraphone masterclass during IKMMA.
 
The participants' schedule is packed with private lessons, open lessons, several hours of daily private practice on 5-octave marimbas and two hours daily of chamber music rehearsal, as well as participation in eight concerts. But there will also be a day of sight-seeing the extrarodinary giant Redwoods that are unique to Northern California.

The excitement continues with a tour of Marimba One, maker of the world's finest marimbas and vibraphones. Marimba One, founded by Ron Samuels in 1986, crafts its instruments with a passion for acoustic perfection. "I'm super-excited that IKMMA will be in California for the first time. I can't wait to meet all these marimba and vibraphone players! It's the passion of musicians like these that inspires my work," says Samuels.
 
Humboldt State University is please to host the Academy on its campus.
 

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