Meet the Musicians of JOY

Meet the Musicians of

April 17-18

Givingday.UConn.edu

WHAT JOY! BRINGS TO ME

Shloka, 16

Ellington, CT - Piano JOY! Conservatory Participant

What does being a part of Jorgensen’s JOY! Conservatory Program mean to you?

Being a part of Jorgensen’s JOY! Conservatory Program is a tremendous honor and privilege for me. It signifies not just an opportunity to enhance my piano skills but also a chance to be a part of a community that values and promotes musical excellence and creativity. Being selected for this scholarship also helps with the financial needs of continuing with my piano education, and I am grateful for the support and resources provided by the program.

What has been the greatest lesson you’ve learned while in the JOY! Program?

The greatest lesson I’ve learned while in the JOY! Program is the importance of perseverance and discipline in pursuing my passion for music.

Through training, constructive feedback, and exposure to diverse musical experiences,

I have come to understand the value of consistent practice and continuous learning. The program has instilled in me a sense of resilience and determination to overcome challenges and strive for excellence in my musical journey.

What has been your fondest experience with the JOY! Conservatory Program?

My fondest experience with the JOY! Conservatory Program has been the opportunity to collaborate and perform with fellow musicians who share my passion for music.

Whether it’s participating in ensemble performances, attending masterclasses, or engaging in workshops, the sense of camaraderie and mutual support within the JOY! community has been truly inspiring. These experiences have not only enriched my musical skills but have also created lasting memories and friendships that I will cherish for years to come. I also found an exceptional piano teacher and mentor in Dr. Mo Tien through the JOY! program who has proven to be invaluable in my music journey. With his guidance and encouragement, I have learned a lot and grown as a pianist.

Special thanks to JOY! Corporate/Foundation Sponsors: SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc.

WHAT JOY! BRINGS TO ME

Nigel, 17

East Hartford, CT - Trombone JOY! Conservatory Participant

What does being a part of Jorgensen’s JOY! Conservatory Program mean to you?

Being a part of Jorgensen’s JOY! Conservatory Program has been an honor and a blessing. Through the generosity of the JOY! Program I have been able to learn from and study with some of the masters of my instrument.

What has been the greatest lesson you’ve learned while in the JOY! Program?

One of the greatest lessons I’ve been taught through the program is patience.

When playing an instrument, not just the trombone, you have to be patient with it and

understand that you will have off days where you won’t be able to play to your full potential.

However, this doesn’t mean you need to force anything; patience is an essential tool for enhancing your skills safely and efficiently.

What has been your fondest experience with the JOY! Conservatory Program?

One of my favorite memories is sitting alongside the great trombonist Steve Davis and dissecting different jazz standards such as On Green Dolphin Street and Nica’s Dream, figuring out ways to improvise through the chords swiftly. I would like to thank Dr. Burns and everyone involved with the JOY! Conservatory Program for allowing me to take part and be able to study with some of the finest trombonists in my field.

Special thanks to JOY! Corporate/Foundation Sponsors: SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc.

WHAT JOY! BRINGS TO ME

Emma, 17

Columbia, CT - Mezzo-Soprano JOY! Conservatory Participant

What does being a part of Jorgensen’s JOY! Conservatory Program mean to you?

To me, being part of Jorgensen’s JOY! Conservatory Program means learning how to use and develop my voice and share it with others.

What has been the greatest lesson you’ve learned while in the JOY! Program?

The greatest lesson I’ve learned while in the JOY! Program is that mistakes are okay. Throughout my voice lessons, during competitions, recitals, and everyday life, I want perfection or as close as I can get to perfection for everything. While in my voice lessons, I have learned that

mistakes are the reason how I am able to grow, and each experience is something to learn from. Even though I am still nervous to mess up an introduction for a song (or even the song itself), I now understand why mistakes are important and to not to be afraid of them. Now, I am working on public speaking so that I can announce pieces and their composers to the best of my ability.

What has been your fondest experience with the JOY! Conservatory Program?

My fondest experience with the JOY! Conservatory Program has to be the jazz singer, Samara Joy. I enjoy listening to Jazz, so when I saw her on Jorgensen’s website, I was very interested. Her performance was amazing, and I not only enjoyed every bit of it, but I learned many performance tips from her as well.

Special thanks to JOY! Corporate/Foundation Sponsors: SBM Charitable Foundation, Inc.