Strings

Faculty Profile Bebo Shiu

Bebo Shiu joined Longy’s faculty as a double bass instructor last fall. He draws on his experience as both a freelance musician in Boston and a member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra to help Longy musicians find their voice and career path. When I was working as a freelance musician in Boston, I kept meeting people who were surviving and thriving in the Boston freelance scene—which can be really challenging to do. These same people were winning local auditions and expanding their networks, and I could tell there was something unique about them. When I’d look up their bios, I’d find out they went to Longy. Students around the country are demanding a rebranding of education for classical musicians, and that’s what Longy’s career-based Catalyst Curriculum provides. It takes street smarts and an entrepreneurial spirit to thrive as a musician today. Music education is endangered in our current climate and economy, but Longy has its priorities straight and prepares musicians to be entrepreneurs. There’s not a minute to waste anymore as a musician, because it’s not a brave new world—it’s a tough new scene. That’s how I decided that Longy was the place to be.

Our Strings Department faculty are active performers and dedicated teachers, encompassing a wide range of styles and repertoire, from early music to new compositions. We emphasize individual attention from faculty mentors, ensemble playing, small classes, crossdepartmental collaboration, and frequent performance opportunities, to create a uniquely inspiring learning environment. Students will also have the opportunity to work with partners like A Far Cry, Horszowski Trio, Palaver Strings, or the Du Bois Orchestra.

Course Highlights

21st-Century Strings

Survey and perform string music written since the year 2000. You’ll study its compositional influences, extended techniques, and the technology used to create it, as well as trends in programming and key performers.

Musical Crossroads: An Intercultural Journey

Investigate and perform new compositions that combine Western and non-Western elements from musical cultures around the world, focusing on unconventional instrumentation, artistic integration, and musical idiosyncrasies.

Degrees & Diplomas

Master of Music Degree Graduate Performance Diploma

Bachelor of Music* Undergraduate Diploma*

*Longy will accept an undergraduate class of students to begin in Fall 2023. We will suspend undergraduate applications beyond that date.

Your Faculty

Andy Kozar, chair

Violin

Gabriela Diaz Josh Henderson Solomiya Ivakhiv Mark Lakirovich Paula Majerfeld Jesse Mills Karla Donehew Pérez Alexander Velinzon Anna Marie Williams

Viola

Sarah Darling Ralph Farris Mario Gotoh Mark Lakirovich Paula Majerfeld

Cello

Ole Akahoshi Terry King Christine Lamprea Nick Photinos Mikhail Veselov

Double Bass

Pascale Delache-Feldman Ian Saunders Peter Seymour Bebo Shiu

Guitar

Christopher Ladd | 23 Will Riley Rebirth | Horszowski Trio Jesse Mills, violin; Ole Akahoshi, cello; Rieko Aizawa, piano Watch Learn more about Orchestra FLEX >> Versatility in your career is key. Check out Longy’s crossover options in Historical Performance or Jazz & Contemporary Music departments.