For the fourth consecutive year, the New York Philharmonic hosted a group of fellows from Music Academy of the West selected to participate in the New York Philharmonic Global Academy Fellowship Program — an immersion in the life of an orchestra musician.
From January 18 to 29, ten fellows, selected by audition, came to New York as Zarin Mehta Fellows, working closely with Philharmonic musicians in one-on-one lessons, mock auditions, and chamber music coaching. They even rehearsed and played alongside Philharmonic musicians in selections from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet for the Orchestra’s January 25–27 subscription concerts conducted by Stéphane Denève. “Different musical tableaux sprung vividly to life bringing to mind choreographic images,” concluded the review in Bachtrack. “One couldn’t ask for much more.”
After the January 25 concert, the Zarin Mehta Fellows enjoyed a champagne reception in David Geffen Hall. Above, the Zarin Mehta Fellows pose with guests including violinist James Ehnes (third from left); New York Philharmonic Global Academy Director Michèle Balm (center); conductor Stéphane Denève (center right, behind Balm); Chief Operating Officer Bill Thomas (rear, third from left); and Music Academy of the West CEO Scott Reed (to Thomas’s left).
1. At the reception, Zarin Mehta Fellows with violinist James Ehnes, who performed Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in the concerts:
2. During the January 25 concert, Zarin Mehta Fellow Michael Cox chats with Principal Trombone Joseph Alessi:
3. Yuan Qi performs in Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet:
4. New York Philharmonic Assistant Archivist Gabryel Smith shares some treasured documents with the Zarin Mehta Fellows:
5. In the David Geffen Hall Green Room, conductor Stéphane Denève meets with the Zarin Mehta Fellows:
(Photos: Chris Lee except 4,5: Ken Yanagisawa)
