ASHGABAT (TCA) — Four classically-trained American musicians and music teachers, Derek Beckvold, Kim Mai Nguyen, Peter Thoreson, and Avery Waite are visiting Ashgabat between December 14 and 24 to train students from the National Conservatory of Turkmenistan and perform a holiday concert, the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat said.
The teachers will hold workshops for students and staff from the classical, vocal, composition, and conducting departments. The American teachers will also hold a series of master classes on the American classical repertoire for program participants. Approximately 80 members of the choir, 80 members of the symphony orchestra, 20 conductors, and 20 composers are expected to participate.
In addition to continuing their work with the National Conservatory, the American music teachers will present American musical culture at a variety of public events:
Tuesday, December 20
18:30 – Christmas caroling at the Information Resource Center (IRC) of the U.S. Embassy
Thursday, December 22
19:00 – Holiday concert with the National Conservatory of Turkmenistan at Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theatre
Friday, December 23
15:00 – Presentation about American music at the IRC
17:00-18:00 – Live chat with the U.S. Embassy’s followers on the Line mobile application
18:30 – Christmas music jam session with amateur Turkmen musicians at the IRC
Admission to all events is free and open to everyone.
This program seeks to build on two previous collaborations between the American teachers and students and faculty at the National Conservatory, in December 2015 and March 2016. During their first two visits to Turkmenistan, Mr. Beckvold, Mr. Thoresen, and Mr. Waite offered master classes and worked with National Conservatory musicians to give a joint concert at the Magtymguly Theater. Now they return for a third program and concert, focused on the holiday season.
