CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAM - The String Connection

THE STRING CONNECTION is offering a new chamber music program generously hosted by Violin Outlet. Inviting all middle and high school string players who are interested in playing chamber music with likeminded peers. Chamber Music study opens a window into an interesting and rich world of music, one in which many famous composers made their most profound and important contributions to the repertoire. Chamber music training teaches essential extra instrumental skills. One must hear and play one’s part in the context of the whole. Very much like living one’s life as part of a community. These communications skills, uniquely learned through immersion in chamber music, translate directly into skills young people need to succeed in any field – science, medicine, law, and many others. The combination of talent, discipline, grit, and collaboration are critical success factors. Thousands of career professionals in fields other than music spend their lives playing and enjoying chamber music as amateurs.

SHAKEH GHOUKASIAN

Shakeh Ghoukasian is the founder of two pioneering music initiatives launched in 2021: The String Connection, a violin, viola studio for advanced students, and The String Connection Virtual Violin Festival, transformational approach to musical training for advanced students ages 15-20. Along with these programs The String Connection has established Chamber Music and Suzuki Talent Education Programs for very young and budding young musicians. Connecting world class artist teachers to the students in an intimate and engaging manner. Shakeh is an accomplished chamber music and orchestral musician, as well as a distinguished teacher and adjudicator. For the last 13 years she was the driving force behind the Nevada School of the Arts. As NSA’s executive/artistic director through 2020, she shaped the school’s vision and launched program initiatives and community partnerships that benefited both students and Las Vegas community. She launched the school’s Jazz Initiative, modeled on the ground-breaking prototype at Lincoln Center, as well as the Musical Crossroads program, that showcases classical guest artists crossing over into Latin and Jazz genres, performing in schools throughout the Clark County School District. Her passion for film music evolved into Kids2Kids concerts performed by students for students, wildly embraced by school administrators and young audiences alike. Ms. Ghoukasian received her early music training at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Music School in Armenia, a country at that time “behind the Iron Curtain.” After immigrating to the United States in 1979, she received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She studied with such string notables as Lori Ulanova, Haik Balian and John Kendall. Since 1998 Shakeh has held the position of Principal 2nd Violinist of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and performs with the Philharmonic’s Principals Quartet, to present educational outreach and chamber music concerts in the community. She also plays regularly in orchestras supporting ballet and opera performances, as well as in recording sessions with jazz and pop musicians. She has performed with a vast array of classical artists and celebrity entertainers, including Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Boccelli, Placido Domingo, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, Itzhak Perlman and others on and off the Strip. Her solo performances include appearances with Henderson Symphony and Las Vegas Philharmonic. Shakeh is an established master teacher and adjudicator. She has been invited to present master classes and workshops in Arizona, Utah, California, Idaho, South Dakota, Alaska, Oregon, New York, Washington and Las Vegas Summer Music Festival. She was a featured presenter at the American String Teachers National Conference, and is a recipient of ASTA’s Studio Teacher Award in Nevada. She was the Founder and Program Director of the Green Valley Chamber Music Festival from 2006-2014. Her students have garnered top awards at numerous local and national competitions and have been chosen to participate in prestigious summer music festivals and camps, such as the Interlochen Summer Music Camp, Indian University Summer String Program, Tanglewood Summer Institute and National Orchestra Summer Institute. Ms. Ghoukasian is dedicated and passionate about working with young musicians and guiding their musical and artistic development. Many of her violin students have graduated from universities and conservatories around the country. With her as a mentor, they have become accomplished professional musicians and, most importantly, beautiful human beings.

PRINCIPAL 2ND VIOLIN OF THE LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC, CONCERT ARTIST, MASTER TEACHER, PEDAGOGOUE

FORMER EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE NEVADA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (NSA), FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE STRING CONNNECTION, Virtual Violin Festival and THE GREEN VALLEY CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

FERENC CSESZKO

Las Vegas-based professional violinist/violist and educator/mentor, Dr. Ferenc Cseszko is currently performing with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Las Vegas Sinfonietta, Nevada Ballet Orchestra, Opera Las Vegas, Vegas City Opera, and other local groups and touring artists. He was an Associate Professor of Violin/Viola and Director of the Orchestra Program at the University of Idaho (2003-2018), an Assistant Professor of Violin/Viola at Fort Hays State University (Kansas, 2000-2003), as well as an Artist-in-Residence at the Universidad Juan N. Corpas in Bogotá, Colombia (2003-2009). Dr. Cseszko presented solo/chamber music recitals and/or masterclasses in Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Mexico and Colombia.

Trained under the rigorous Eastern European system, Dr. Cseszko has acquired superior expertise and teaching experience, and is deeply committed to providing world-class training to younger generations. He earned a Conservatory Diploma from the prestigious Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary, a Master of Music degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. As a dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Cseszko possesses an extensive and cherished record of accomplishments, with his students winning competitions, successfully passing auditions into major universities and music conservatories, and acquiring employment in performing groups, K12 and higher education.

OMAR SHELLY

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, throughout the US as a touring member of the Sphinx Virtuosi, Davies Symphony Hall and the Philharmonie Berlin as principal violist of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Sydney Opera House as assistant principal violist of the YouTube Symphony 2011 and most recently as violist of the Equitas String Quartet at both the National Orchestral Institute and Festival and the Pacific Music Institute of Hawaii. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music studying with Jodi Levitz and his Master’s degree from the University of Michigan studying with Yizhak Schotten. Omar is currently a section violist with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and has been a member of the orchestra since 2014.

SVETLANA GARITSELOVA

Svetlana Garitselova is a versatile cellist, who especially enjoys performing chamber music. She has performed with Slavia piano trio, string quartets and as a soloist throughout North America, Europe, Russia and Japan.

Svetlana has been a principal cellist of Galina Vishnevskaya Opera center orchestra, Chamber orchestra “Gnessinsky’s Virtuoso”, member of Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra in Moscow, Eastman Philharmonia Orchestra in Rochester NY, University of North Texas Symphony Orchestra, Odysseus Chamber Orchestra, Roberts Wesleyan College-Community Orchestra and Oswego Opera Ensemble. She was a member of Symphoria, Syracuse Symphony orchestra. Svetlana was an Adjunct Professor at the Roberts Wesleyan College.

Currently, she is happy to be a part of Las Vegas Sinfonietta orchestra, has a private cello studio and enjoys playing in the “Cello and Keys” duo.

Ferenc Cseszko, violin, viola

FACULTY

Shakeh Ghoukasian , violin

Omar Shelly, viola

Svetlana Garitselova, cello

Tuition: $295 7 ninety-minute sessions and a recital.
Mondays: 6:00-7:30 PM every other week based on the published schedule.
Location: Violin Outlet 900 E. Karen Ave. A-122 Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tuition can be paid via Zelle or Venmo
Zelle: The String Connection
Venmo: The String Connection @quartet4

This program is for students (typically ages 12 +) interested in gaining chamber music experience. Depending on instrumentation available from the applicant pool, students will generally be placed in string trios, or quartets. Students will also have the opportunity to perform with faculty members as the opportunity lands itself for a specific repertoire. Students will be placed carefully in terms of playing level, age, experience, and temperament. Students will receive one hour of coaching every other week with an experienced faculty member and guest artists. The ensembles will have an opportunity to perform in a recital in a concert hall, participate in CCSD Solo and Ensemble Festival, and local and national competitions as the maturity of the group advances.

Open to anyone by audition or a teacher recommendation.
Please fill out and submit the registration form below and email a recommendation letter from your
teacher to sghoukasianmusic@gmail.com

If you have any questions please reach the program director Shakeh Ghoukasian.

CALENDAR FOR THE CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAM 2022

6:00-7:30 pm

September 12, 26
October 10, 24
November 7, 21, 28
Concert November 30, 2022 6:00 pm Southern Nevada Music

CHAMBER MUSIC PROGRAM REGISTRATION FORM

Download Teacher Recommendation Form