Redefine Your Musical Horizons:
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for Young String Artists Rise as a String Star: Expert Coaching, Unforgettable Experience! Empower Your Music, Enrich Your Soul: Join Us This Summer June 3-8, 2024 Overview Gallery keyboard_arrow_down 0{{current_slide_index}} /0{{total_slide_count}} Faculty Home Details Eligibility Application Events Application The String Connection

Application Unleash Your String Potential: Join the Rising Stars Academy! Apply before April 26th, 2024 Space is limited, submit your application today to reserve your spot.

OVERVIEW JUNE 3-8, 2024 Desert Roots Rising Stars String Academy engages outstanding middle and high school violinists, violists, and cellists who are interested in expanding their chamber music training.

For a week, students will study with our guest faculty while actively collaborating with like-minded peers. Individual students and pre-formed chamber groups are welcome to apply.

Our artist faculty are young professionals, who have had their beginnings in Las Vegas and now are established and accomplished artists. They are very excited to share their knowledge and musicianship with you in private lessons, coaching and side by side performances. All accepted applicants will get a chance to work closely with them throughout the week.

Please join us for this fabulous music making experience at the historical: Christ Episcopal Church - 2000 S. Maryland Pkwy - Las Vegas, NV 89104 Overview Gallery Faculty Home Details Eligibility Application Events Application The String Connection

view video Liam Mansfield "Our last concert is going to be a side by side collaboration with these excellent young string quartets. I hope to see you there. It's going to be one of a kind and fantastic. See you this summer." view video Scott Jackson “it's an intense week of chamber music lessons, coaching and performances in small groups and one on one. You'll get to hear the faculty perform at different concerts. It's going to be a lot of work, but also a lot of fun, and I hope that you will come and join us and I'll see you there.” view video Omar Shelly “This program will feature faculty members who are all born and raised here in Las Vegas and aims to celebrate the unique culture of chamber music and string playing that we have here in the Las Vegas Valley.” view video Jeremy Russo "Music festivals like these, where you get to make music with other like-minded people and trained with really great teachers, really inspired me and formed a solid music foundation for me growing up." Shakeh Ghoukasian view video “You might be intrigued by the name of our festival. It has its roots in my 40 year journey, nurturing musical talent in the Las Vegas community, where I've had the honor of seeing many young musicians flourish and take the global concert stages by storm." What Our Guest Artists are Saying Rising Stars Faculty

FACULTY Read Full Bio Liam Mansfield (b. 1996) had always felt an inexplicable attraction to the violin, but he started his musical career playing the piano. That path came to a halt when his strict, elderly piano teacher insisted he wake up at 4 am to practice scales before elementary school. He picked up the violin at Hyde Park Middle School at the age of 11, and from then on has played with an almost obsessive fervor... Liam Mansfield violin, Creative Director Read Full Bio FACULTY Scott Jackson is a concert violinist that has performed with symphonies across the nation, including the St. Louis and Pittsburgh Symphonies. He was a fellow with the New World Symphony after completing his doctoral studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory from 2018 until 2022, during which time his modern music ensemble, All of the Above, released an album to critical acclaim featuring the music of two contemporary composers with the title “Double Portrait”. Scott Jackson violin Read Full Bio FACULTY Omar Shelly is a native of Las Vegas, Nevada and has performed in some of the worlds most famous concert halls as a violist in several international orchestral training programs, including several occasions at Carnegie Hall with The Orchestra Now at Bard College and the New York String Orchestra Seminar, the Benedict Music Tent with the Aspen Chamber Symphony, both the Royal Concertgebouw and Royal Albert Hall with the Britten-Pears Young Artists Programme BBC Proms 2012, Troesh Music Hall of Toronto with the Orchestra of the Americas... Omar Shelly viola Read Full Bio Jeremy Russo is passionate educator and versatile performer who has appeared on stages across the United States, notably Carnegie Hall in NYC, Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Smith Center in Las Vegas, as well as in Europe and Asia. A native of Las Vegas, he has shared stages as the core string member with world’s all-time favorite pop singers, namely Adele, Andrea Bocelli, and the Eagles... FACULTY Jeremy Russo cello Read Full Bio Shakeh Ghoukasian, a renowned violinist and educator, founded The String Connection and The String Connection Virtual Violin Festival in 2021, catering to advanced students. These initiatives, including Chamber Music and Suzuki Talent Education Programs, connect students with top artist teachers. Previously, as executive/artistic director of the Nevada School of the Arts for 13 years, she propelled the school's vision, initiating programs like the Jazz Initiative and Musical Crossroads, and establishing partnerships benefiting students and the Las Vegas community... FACULTY Shakeh Ghoukasian violin, Festival Director Rising Stars Faculty Liam Mansfield, violin
Creative Director Omar Shelly, viola Scott Jackson, violin Jeremy Russo, cello Shakeh Ghoukasian, violin
Festival Director

Shakeh Ghoukasian “Chamber music showcases individual’s musicianship through blending and mixing the sounds of different instruments. Chamber music is a music-making experience that brings people together by combining individuals’ strengths. It promotes independent learning, fosters collaboration between peers, vitalizes deep listening and score analyzing, engages students and increases music participation.”

DETAILS Classes: Each day will include chamber music coaching, individual lessons, individual practice time and more! The students will have lunch as a group and enjoy getting to know one another. Snacks and water will be provided for everyone.

Tuition: $440 includes all coaching, rehearsals, technique classes, master classes, and lessons at our 6-day Music Festival June 3-8 2024. 9:00 am to 2:30 pm daily. Additional activities and performances will be listed after the enrollment is closed.

Scholarships: To ensure that financial barriers do not hinder the development of promising young artists, the festival may offer scholarships to talented musicians in need of support.

Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $25
Submissions open January 18, 2024 and close April 26, 2024
Acceptance notifications by May 4, 2024
Tuition is due by May 11, 2024 Overview Gallery Faculty Home Details Eligibility Application Events Application The String Connection

Application Registration cancellation: In the event that you decide to cancel your registration after the deadline, please notify the String Connection in writing. There is a $100 non-refundable cancellation fee per participant. Due to commitments to faculty travel plans and to other participants we take your participation with great respect. Your pulling out of the program will affect everyone involved.

We strive to recognize the unique spirit of each student and eliminate barriers that hinder an individual’s growth potential. When students attend The String Connection Chamber Week they can be themselves – free of judgment, criticism, or fear.

Our campus environment is designed to eliminate racial, religious, sexual, and cultural stereotypes and to foster positive intercultural relationships. The String Connection Chamber Week does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical ability, or gender expression or identity in the administration of its programs and policies. Space is limited, submit your application today to reserve your spot. GENERAL INFORMATION

Daily Lunch: Students should bring their own lunch. Water and snacks will be provided during the day.

Scheduled Practice Time: We do set aside at a room for each ensemble to practice together every day.

Evening activities and concerts: There are multiple activities planned for the evenings that are wonderful opportunities for participants to get to know each other and enjoy making music and making wonderful memories together.

Last day of the week: In addition to the regular class schedule, all students will perform in the celebration concert with faculty. Detailed information about the time and location of Celebration Concert will be publicized on social media and sent to each participant via email.

Concert Attire: Please consider your audience when choosing your attire. Bare midriffs or shoulders, short skirts or plunging necklines are not appropriate. Details will be decided collectively during the week.

Application The festival’s program carefully balances beloved classics with contemporary compositions, offering a diverse and engaging repertoire.

The Desert Roots Rising Stars Festival is not just an event: it is a testament to the enduring power of music and the promise of a bright future for the performers and audiences of today and tomorrow.

ALL CONCERTS ARE OPEN AND FREE TO PUBLIC! In addition to the main stage performances, the festival provides a platform for the rising stars to interact intimately with the audience. The festival places a strong emphasis on outreach to the community and young musicians, recognizing the importance of nurturing the next generation of talent and fostering a deep appreciation for classical music.

The Festival is accompanied by the Rising Star Academy, comprised of accomplished music students ages 12-18 working and performing alongside featured Rising Star Musicians during the entire Festival week. The festival will hold daily workshops, masterclass and individual sessions led by the Rising Star guest artists tailored for aspiring young musicians. These sessions cover a wide range of topics from technical proficiency to musical interpretation and even valuable career advice. Individual lessons will allow students to gain insight into the artists’ artistic journeys, techniques and the intricacies of their chosen instruments. EVENTS EVENTS

Desert Roots Rising Stars is a week-long festival of extraordinary musicale feats from the classical and modern traditions – performed by four young “Rising Stars” professional musicians with roots in Las Vegas, once again in concert from all over the globe. Set against the backdrop of several locations, the festival radiates an atmosphere of passion and dedication of young talent.

FREE Rising Stars Concerts: The festival culminates in three concerts with The Rising Stars leading the way accompanied by 30 of Las Vegas next generation of exceptional young musicians.

Concert I – Tuesday, June 4, 2024 7:00 pm, Basner Fine Art Gallery, 400 S Rampart Blvd STE 150, Tivoli Village, Las Vegas

Concert II – Thursday, June 6,2024 7:00 pm Southern Nevada Music Steinway Hall, 350 N Stephanie St, Henderson

Concert III – Celebration Concert Saturday, June 8, 2024 3:00 pm, Christ Episcopal Church, 2000 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas

Attendees of events will be greeted with a blend of classical masterpieces and new works.

Application Join Us This Summer for 3 Free Concerts

Check Out Some Past Collaborate, Create, Connect Chamber Music Camps