YSM welcomes two artist diploma candidates to prestigious program
In the fall, the Yale School of Music will welcome two new artist diploma candidates to the program. Violinist Sirena Huang, who is currently enrolled in YSM's master of music program, will now pursue an artist diploma. Pianist Szymon Nehring will enter the AD program having previously studied at the Academy of Music in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Huang and Nehring will join pianist Vyacheslav Gryaznov in the program, whose curriculum was revised in 2014 to serve instrumentalists and vocalists who are on the cusp of major international solo careers.
"The artist diploma is our highest performance degree," YSM Deputy Dean Melvin Chen said. "The two entering the program in the fall exemplify the type of artist diploma candidate we are looking for -- bright, inquisitive, and unique artists who are gaining recognition through top prizes in major international competitions."
Huang, who studies with Hyo Kang, recently won the New York Concert Artists Worldwide Debut Audition for Violinists and the inaugural Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition. Earlier this month, Nehring won the 15th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition. He will study with Boris Berman at YSM.
The AD program at YSM accommodates candidates whose performing schedules take them out of New Haven for as many as four weeks per year. Artist diploma candidates, in fact, are expected to concertize and participate in competitions and festivals. To that end, YSM arranges for each AD candidate to present a concert outside the United States and provides enhanced professional development and support, including management guidance and personalized career services.
The program is a two-year course of study for external candidates, one year for internal candidates. A high-school diploma is a prerequisite. Admission to the program involves two rounds of auditions: one for YSM faculty and one for an external panel of distinguished professionals. As part of the program, candidates are expected to appear in two solo recitals (one for internal candidates), present a chamber music program, and give a concerto performance. They are also expected to participate in various YSM ensembles.
The first person to earn YSM's artist diploma since the program was revised in 2014 is mezzo-soprano Evanna Chiew '15MM '16AD, who studied with Doris Yarick Cross. Pianist Wai-Yin Wong, who has been studying with Prof. Berman, will earn her artist diploma next week, and Gryaznov, who also studies with Prof. Berman, is expected to complete the program in the spring of 2018.
Photo of Szymon Nehring by Bruno Fidrych.
