6 minute read
Chords of Collaboration
Kansas City Young Chamber Musicians emphasizes teamwork and fun
During his toddler years, Nicholas Dold (Omega Omega, Kansas City Alumni) sang anything and everything — TV show theme songs, jingles on the radio. He spent hours a week at the upright piano in the living room, plunking out tunes by ear. He constantly found ways to make music any way he could.
When he turned 4, his parents enrolled him in piano lessons. He was fortunate to have supportive piano teachers who both pushed him to master technique and encouraged him to explore his own interests in repertoire. He remained consistent with weekly lessons and daily practice sessions throughout his training.
He loved piano. He just didn’t seriously consider pursuing a career in music until a violinist friend in his high school orchestra approached him about collaborating on a piece together. Then, he began accompanying friends who sang in choir. Through collaboration, Dold found his passion for a career as a musician.
“I had all this very serious and consistent solo piano training growing up,” Dold said. “But it was through collaborating with others that I realized I wanted to become a serious professional musician. That’s what enticed me to become a collaborative pianist specializing in instrumental chamber repertoire.”
To instill a similar passion for chamber music and collaborative performance in youth, Dold, now an adjunct professor in keyboard arts, collaborative piano, at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, founded Kansas City Young Chamber Musicians in fall 2022.
The nonprofit organization serves as a year-round young person’s classical chamber music program for intermediate through advanced students ages 13 to 18. Young musicians in violin, viola, cello, piano and all wind/ reed instruments are placed in duets, trios and quartets for the season. Members of the KCYCM coach students weekly. Although many of these coaching artists have their own private teaching studios, KCYCM does not offer solo private lessons and instead focuses only on chamber music and small ensemble instruction.
“I wanted to start a precollege chamber music training program because a pianist can go through 18 years of lessons without once playing with another musician,” Dold said. “But string players typically start with orchestral and collaborative repertoire at a very young age. “In the Suzuki method, for example, students learn their instruments while simultaneously learning collaboration skills. By learning chamber music repertoire at a younger age, students begin learning the skills necessary for playing in an ensemble sooner.”
Prior to relocating to Kansas City, Dold ran a similar program in Santa Clara, California. The program was very popular in Silicon Valley where a number of arts organizations promote chamber music. When he began establishing his studio in Kansas City, he realized that there were multiple youth symphonies and high school bands, but not a lot of opportunities for students to play in chamber music ensembles.
“The Midwest culture is very different from California but we have many talented instrumentalists in Kansas City,” Dold said. “Students are committed to performing classical music in the Midwest because they want music to be a long-term fixture in their lives. I think that dedication to learning an instrument stems from the Midwestern work ethic.”
Dold prides himself on playing musical matchmaker as he places students in their ensembles at the start of the season. The students’ families get excited about the ensemble experience, hosting additional practice sessions in their homes outside of the weekly coaching sessions. For some students, the experience of playing in an ensemble together leads to close-knit friendship.
“Nick has a talent for matching students in both skill level and personality,” said Ashley Wood White (Epsilon Xi), one of KCYCM’s coaching artists. “He truly wants to provide students with the best possible opportunity to flourish and grow as musicians. Whether they end up majoring in music or not, they can look back on this experience as a wonderful time in their lives when they matured both as a person and a musician.”
As a clarinetist, White always played chamber music growing up. Working with KCYCM students as a coaching artist recalls her own wonderful memories of past collaborative ensembles. When Dold initially approached White about coaching, she was initially hesitant because she was already busy with her own private studio. But after watching her clarinet student develop as a musician during KCYCM’s first season, she plans to stay involved and encourage more of her private students to participate.
“Nick has created an environment that’s all about finding the fun in chamber music,” White said. “As the program continues to grow, I envision the application process will become much more competitive. Not only did I see students improve their musicianship, I watched them develop skills for teamwork, conflict resolution, time management and communication over the course of the season. These are skills that will serve them in any profession.”
KCYCM enrolled 15 students during its inaugural season in 2022-2023. There are three terms each season with each term lasting 11 weeks. In addition to the eight coaching artists, there are four masterclass faculty who work with the students during week 10, one week prior to the final recital. During the masterclass, students have an opportunity to practice their repertoire in a constructive educational setting with a professional performing musician or college professor.
“It’s a very methodical sequence so the students’ first exposure to chamber music is really supported,” Dold said. “The entire process is very nurturing with encouraging instruction from the coaching artists so that by the week of the formal recital, the students feel prepared to perform at their best.”
As KCYCM enters its second season, enrollment has more than doubled. Dold has nothing but appreciation for how the Kansas City community has embraced the program. Members of the Kansas City Symphony and faculty from area colleges and universities participate as coaching artists. Generous donors have provided financial support, enabling KCYCM to provide scholarship assistance for students who need it. Local artist Sister Caroline Neal attends the students’ recitals with her sketchbook and produces paintings from the sketches in her studio. A portion of her art sales benefit KCYCM’s student need-based scholarship fund.
“I’m thrilled that our chamber music community has brought together all these young musicians, families, teachers, artists and supporters,” Dold said. “We started the program very quickly and it’s been exciting to see how much we’ve grown as an organization. Of all the things I’ve done throughout my career in music, working with these students, families and teachers has been my most artistically fulfilling endeavor. I couldn’t be happier with the community we’ve built in Kansas City through chamber music.”
