IU String Academy boasts world-class experiences

IU's School of Music is hiding something right under students' noses -- literally.\nOne-hundred fifty students, all under the age of 18 make up IU's String Academy. Its first class, founded in 1972, was composed of six students under the direction of Mimi Zweig.\nThe academy has since grown exponentially, with graduates establishing branches of their own at Northwestern University, the Peabody Institute, the University of Wyoming and even in Geneva.\n"I see myself as a giant sponge who has been able to absorb information from the people who have influenced and enriched my life," Zweig said.\nCiting her influences from Louis Krasner at Syracuse University to virtuoso cellist and teacher Janos Starker to the principles presented in Timothy Gallwey's book "The Inner Game of Tennis," Zweig developed her teaching method, StringPedagogy.com.\nThe academy's resident cello instructor, Susan Moses, has also been around the block, having held positions as a cello professor in Europe and at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. She currently represents the United States in international cello competitions. \nDespite her impressive résumé, Moses still finds teaching at the academy is her most rewarding career.\n"I see teaching children as my mission," Moses said. "It doesn't supply me with the full prestige, salary or tenure of being a professor here, but it's really worth it. The way I see it, kids want to learn from someone who really wants to teach -- not someone just doing it because they need to for a little money."\nThe Violin Virtuosi, 12 of the most advanced violin students, are the poster children for the academy. The Virtuosi have been featured on the National Public Radio program "From the Top" and have played at Carnegie Hall, as well as at concert halls in France and Japan. In addition, a PBS documentary featuring the Virtuosi is scheduled to air mid-January.\nThe academy is a benefactor of the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation, whose mission is to "support and nurture gifted violin students and to help them fully realize their potential," according to an IU press release.\nThis has been the case with many graduates continuing their studies at IU, adding their talent to the already renowned student base in the School of Music. Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell is among those.\nMoses said she focuses on the grassroots purpose of the academy.\n"It's not only to have great students," Moses said. "It's to give the love of the instrument and music to students who, though they may not continue in their studies beyond a young age, may pass it on to their children."\nZweig, on the other hand, offers a more global perspective.\n"Think of all the politicians that spent 10 to 15 years practicing the violin or the cello," Zweig said. "Maybe their decisions would be thought of in a different perspective, and things would turn out differently." \nAs for the future, Zweig noted that as well as breeding great musicians, the academy breeds great teachers. \nRecalling the recent worries regarding the future of music in general, Moses offered her own philosophy.\n"We have to restore dignity to the idea of great artists teaching children," she said. "It's not only reaching those who are positive they want to be great cellists, it's about bringing the greatness of performance to young people ... maybe it will inspire them. That's the way we're going to ensure the future of music"