Illuminating the Arts

University’s

Park University’s International Center for Music will soon celebrate its vicennial anniversary, and has achieved extraordinary success in a relatively short span of time. Just a quick glance at some of our students’ and graduates’ accolades – a finalist and a silver medal in the Van Cliburn Piano Competition; a first prize finish in the 2009 London International Piano Competition; an appointment as concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra; a bronze medal in the Elmar Oliveira Violin Competition; an American Pianists Award – and I’m sure you will agree: their achievements are nothing short of inspiring.

The Center’s artistic triumphs on concert stages across the globe reflect countless hours of hard work behind the curtain. Students’ diligence and dedication to their artistry, combined with tailored instruction from the Center’s world-renowned teaching faculty, and the meticulous maintenance of premium instruments, is the method behind the magic.

We need your help to continue producing artistry that illuminates the world. Endowing key International Center for Music faculty positions will build depth and sustainability in the program and encourage burgeoning musicians from across the globe to come to seek out the most personalized instruction available in the U.S. Ensuring that our artists’ tools are maintained in a standard worthy of their talent will continue to set our program apart.

Thank you for joining me, as well as the entire Park University community, in building a future that extends far beyond our present. Thank you for your investment into the future of Park University’s International Center for Music and by extension, the next 150 years of Park University.

Sincerely,

Shane B. Smeed President, Park University

In 2003, a global movement was sparked at Park University ... and since that time, it has continued to shine brightly for all the world to behold.

Students of Park

International Center for Music marched behind President Shane Smeed while proudly displaying the University’s banner at the opening of the annual Parkville Days Parade.

World-Class Masters Creating World-Class Masters

Through degree, certificate and diploma programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, Park University’s International Center for Music trains violin, viola, cello and piano students for successful careers in classical music on the world stage.

Modeled after the classic European master/apprentice system, Park ICM pairs world-renowned faculty with exceptionally talented protégés. Students receive a minimum of two private lessons per week under their professor’s tutelage, with more lessons offered during key times like auditions or international competitions. Through this relationship, the master and protégé develop a bond that continues far beyond graduation.

Through the years, Park ICM has strengthened its reputation as a unique blend of tailored teaching in a serene setting. Park University is nestled in quaint Parkville, Mo., a city close enough to big-city attractions, yet far enough away to reduce distractions. For practicing, students have 24-hour access to Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel, the facility on campus from which the program is based.

ARK UN IVERS IT Y

INTERNATIONAL CE NTE RFOR M USIC

with Ben Sayevich has been the most crucial factor in my development. Through his friendship and wisdom, I learned so much about the realities of life as a musician and a human being, which I will carry with me forever. In Ben, I found not only the best teacher, but also the best friend anyone could ask for.”

- David Radzynski, Concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra, Park University Graduate and Concert Violinist

- Kenny Broberg, Deputy Professor to Piano Chair, Reina Sofia School of Music, Park International Center for Music Graduate Student, 2017 Van Cliburn Silver Medalist and winner of the 2021 American Pianists Awards

- Laurel Gagnon, Candidate for Artist Diploma in Violin Performance at the Jacobs School of Music, University of Indiana, and Park University Graduate, Finalist 2019 Singapore International Violin Competition

- Behzod Abduraimov, Park International Center for Music Artist-=-Residence, Park University Graduate, Concert Pianist, and International Recording Artist

“I chose to study at the International Center for Music with Professor Ben Sayevich because of the intense environment Park ICM provided and the opportunity for so much one-on-one instruction from a world class faculty.”

“Park ICM combines a lot of practice time, peace and quiet, growing within yourself, and lesson time.”

“The best decision I ever made was to go to Park University, where I could study with Stanislav Ioudenitch at the International Center for Music. As I reflect on the many years of my study with Stanislav, his friendship, encouragement and mentoring have been crucial to my development as a musician and an artist.”

“Studying

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Daniel Veis, award-winning cellist and professor of the cello studio, coaches a student

Photo: Damian Gonzalez

Unique European Apprentice Model Lights Path to Student Success

When Founder and Artistic Director Stanislav Ioudenitch launched the Park International Center for Music twenty years ago, his immediate goal was to find incomparable musicians who are extraordinary teachers, and give them the resources needed to transform exceptional protégés into masters themselves.

Ioudenitch himself is an internationally recognized Van Cliburn Gold Medalist, and his vision began to take shape with the help of Park University in 2003. Since that time, he and his team have extended far beyond this initial enlightened vision. Other outstanding programs have great master instructors as well. But no other American program is designed to maximize time between student and teacher.

“There are many aspects needed to develop a great talent—not only classes,” said Stanislav Ioudenitch. “We are there to listen. We are there to help. Every single person in the department and the administration tries to do their best to develop our precious talents.”

“Besides the teaching, there is a very artistic environment here,” said Ben Sayevich, Professor of Music/Violin. “We want to make sure that, if you become a performer, your main focus is on your playing and everything connected to it. We’re outside of the box for an academic environment. You get what you need to become as good as you can be.”

Stanislav Ioudenitch Piano Studio

Ben Sayevich Violin Studio

Daniel Veis Cello Studio

Chung-Hoon Peter Chun Viola Studio

Endowing faculty positions to create teaching depth in each International Center for Music studio will help to secure the stability of the program for years to come.

Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich

Director of Collaborative Piano

Steven McDonald Director of Orchestral Activities

Center’s Artist-in-Residence Brings

Global Spotlight to Program

Envisioned in 2016, the Center’s Artist-in-Residence program was created to increase the awareness of the program’s amazing success and enhance the Park University and International Center for Music brands across the globe. By representing the University through public and private performances throughout the world, in some of the most renowned concert halls and with famed conductors and orchestras, the Artist-inResidence function has greatly benefitted the program, justifying the role’s existence long into the future.

Park University alumnus, Behzod Abduraimov, has served in the Center’s Artist-in-Residence role quite magnificently since both

winning the London International Piano Competition in 2009 and then gaining even greater attention after being chosen as an artist of the renowned international classical music management agency, HarrisonParrot. His skyrocketing rise to international stardom took the International Center for Music to prominence with him as his talent, reputation and charisma continued to shine light on the Center. Today, thanks in part to Behzod’s role as Artist-in-Residence, the International Center for Music commands the attention of the arts community’s patrons, donors and artists who now realize the magnificence of the Center’s training because they’ve born witness to Behzod’s rise to stardom.

“Playing an instrument, of course, is a huge challenge. It is a huge challenge to be able to go on stage and play professionally. But now I feel blessed to be able to do something that is not well realized. Music, no matter what happens in the world, music stays always innocent and something that human beings can offer to ourselves and to one another. I’m very lucky. Going back thinking, what if I went to another place to study like New York, or London, or Moscow? I had opportunities. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to achieve all the things that I have now.”

- Behzod Abduraimov

Behzod Abduraimov, alumnus and Artist-in-Residence

Park accomplished certificate Center and Park University’s annual signature fundraising event, Stanislav & Friends, brings the Center’s biggest audiences each year. Patrons come to witness the professors, performing alongside their students present and past, at the world-renowned Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Pictured are Kenny Broberg, Maria Ioudenitch, Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich, Behzod Abduraimov, Ben Sayevich, Dilshod Narzillaev, Daniel Veis, and Stanislav Ioudenitch.

Photo: Evgeny Eutykhov

Photo: Larry F. Levenson

Maintaining the Tools of the Trade

Park University is an “AllSteinway School,” which demands that Park ICM’s uncompromising standards of quality extend to the instruments themselves. Park students not only perform on Steinway grand pianos, but also train on the highest quality Steinway pianos in the practice rooms of the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel on Park University’s home campus.

These instruments are subjected not only to the seasonal weather fluctuations of the Midwest; they are played, nearly non-stop, by driven pianists who pound away, hour-after-hour, perfecting their craft. Such intensity takes its toll on an instrument ... but ensuring that our artists’ tools remain in optimal condition is worth every bit of time and investment. Park ICM students – current, and future – deserve the best.

“We, as professional pianists, spend thousands of hours polishing our craft in order to achieve a total command of our instrument, which then gives us freedom and flexibility of our interpretations when we perform on stage. When we work on pieces, we imagine the sound in a certain hall with certain acoustics. It can be very frustrating when a piano is not maintained well and doesn’t allow you to achieve those sounds that you have planned and for which you have worked many, many hours.”

Behzod Abduraimov

“We are comparing our program with the greatest conservatories in the world. The talent and achievement of our students . . . it is worldclass. The instruments and equipment we use should align with our ideals. – Stanislav Ioudenitch, Founder and Artistic Director, Park University International Center for Music

Behzod Abduraimov (right) performs with his mentor Stanislav Ioudenitch (left) in the annual Stanislav & Friends, the University’s premiere fundraising event. Even the gala event requires tireless use of Park University’s magnificent Steinway grands.

Photo: Michael Regnier

Photo: Larry F. Levenson

How

International Center for Music

• retain and recruit top master faculty who create the world-class, intimate learning environment

• build teaching depth and sustainability within each studio

• encourage aspiring students from across the globe to continue to choose our unique boutique conservatory instead of a big-name university