A Conversation With Argine Safari NJ 2017 Teacher of the Year Marjorie LoPresti 732-613-6969 marjorielopresti@gmail.com
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rgine Safari teaches vocal music at Pascack Valley High School. In addition to her role teaching choirs and music theory, Argine is an accomplished conductor, pianist, vocal coach, and clinician. NJMEA could not be prouder to have one of our own representing and advocating for all New Jersey educators and their students as New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. In addition to receiving a six-month paid sabbatical, use of a rental car for official travel, a new laptop, and a Smartboard, Argine has been nominated for 2017 National Teacher of the Year. Recently, Argine generously made time for an extended conversation about what makes the difference for her as a music educator, and how she makes a huge impact on her students and colleagues. ML: In your acceptance speech in Trenton, you spoke about the impact that seeing a performance of La Traviata with Placido Domingo had on you. How old were you then? Was that the moment when you got hooked on vocal music? AS: Absolutely. I was 13 years old. I cannot ever forget the feelings, the emotions that I felt when I first saw La Traviata. And the acting, the singing, were just superb. I think what helped the experience was just that--the quality of the performance. It’s not just about listening to any music, but listening to a masterpiece of music performed by top-notch performers. I think the combination of all of that plus the acting is an incredible experience. ML: You described that moment at the opera as being filled with awe and wonder. How do you pass that on to your students? AS: There are three things that I really make sure that I share with my students to help create a special atmosphere: • Big masterpieces--real music that is not only well written but meaningful in many ways--historically, or by great composers. • I show them quality performances--things that they probably don’t get to see or hear on their own. Teenagers these days don’t
really turn on the radio and listen to opera or symphonic music, or anything like that, but they don’t know what they’re missing out on. That’s one thing I try to open the doors on, so they can hear real music, and masterpieces they are missing out on. • I always prepare the students to hear the performance by making a connection to what they know and feel passionate about already. I always tell them what the story is about, who the composer is, and a little story from the composer’s life. I use anything like that to get them hooked and make a connection with them. When students hear a performance like that because you created a special atmosphere, it has a lasting impact. Right now, for instance, I’m collaborating with the English and Theatre teachers on Romeo & Juliet. When I heard that the Metropolitan Opera is doing a new production of Gounod’s Romeo & Juliette with world class performers, I knew I had to do this crossdisciplinary project! We hope to craft something really special for the students by making connections between Romeo & Juliet and West Side Story so the students can relate to it. The theatre class will perform some of the original Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet, and my students will perform some of West Side Story. In addition, there will be a workshop and a master class with the professional tenor James Valenti. The project will culminate with a trip to the Met to see the performance of the Gounod Romeo & Juliette featuring Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolio. I think it’s the projects like this that get the kids hooked: they get the connection and they feel it, and all preparation also gets them ready to handle an opera in five acts. Most importantly, the connections they make along the way make the whole project come to life and leave a lasting impression. ML: Your resume shows that you were a devoted music student in Armenia, then went on to conservatory in Moscow. But then you ended up in Brooklyn and got a business degree. Tell me the story of how you came to America, and where the business degree fit in. Or did it? AS: When I emigrated, I was in the middle of a doctorate and had a young child. Things happened really fast. Everyone around me was telling me I was crazy for wanting to do music. Not that I was really influenced by the people around me that much, but I knew that I needed to improve my language skills. Being someone who wants to get the best opportunities out of whatever I do, I decided to go to college and study language. I was always taught to finish what I started, so getting a degree came logically. Everyone was talking about finance, business, and management, and I was good at that. While I was in school, I started music gigs at night--teaching privately, play-
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JANUARY 2017
