Masterclasses strengthen �� music students’ artistry

�� students received instruction from renowned guest artists during recent masterclasses. (Photo by Madeline Blackburn)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—With its new All-Steinway School designation and world-class facility, Mississippi State’s Department of Music is providing enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom to elevate students’ musical proficiencies.

One example is a series of masterclasses recently hosted on ��’s campus. Four renowned musicians of the Nashville Chamber Music Society shared their expertise with �� students in flute, piano and strings. The day of learning culminated with a concert by the guest artists including NCMS founder and cellist MaryGrace Bender, pianist Brendan Jacklin, violinist Charissa Leung and flutist Danielle Maeng.

“It was such a wonderful opportunity to participate in a masterclass with these musicians,” said Sabrina Francom, a junior music education major from Starkville. “Their insight on the violin was so helpful for upcoming performances and brought a new perspective to the music that I hadn’t thought of. I’m so glad I was given the chance to learn from them.”

The masterclasses were underwritten by Bob and Kathy Olsen, residents of Nashville and major �� All-Steinway Initiative donors. A two-time �� graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music and master’s degree in music education, Kathy Olsen was recognized as the College of Education’s 2024 Alumna of the Year.

STARKVILLE, Miss.—With its new All-Steinway School designation and world-class facility, Mississippi State’s Department of Music is providing enrichment opportunities beyond the classroom to elevate students’ musical proficiencies. One example is a series of masterclasses recently hosted on ��’s campus. Four renowned musicians of the Nashville Chamber Music Society shared their expertise with �� students in flute, piano and strings. The day of learning culminated with a concert by the guest artists includ — Mississippi State recently hosted a series of masterclasses with four renowned Nashville Chamber Music Society musicians who shared their expertise with �� students in flute, piano and strings. (Photo by Madeline Blackburn)

“I love chamber music and am involved with the Nashville Chamber Music Society,” she said. “I saw this as a great opportunity to bring in musicians from another area to give students exposure to something different.”

Dylan Hall, a sophomore music education major from Saucier, said, “It was a distinct honor to perform on the piano for these talented musicians. The experiences that present themselves in the �� Department of Music are first class, and I had the opportunity to learn valuable knowledge through this masterclass.”

��’s Department of Music is housed in a $21 million, state-of-the-art facility equipped with sound-proof practice rooms, a high-tech recording studio, an acoustically advanced lecture-recital hall, over $3.5 million in Steinway pianos and more.

��’s College of Education, home of the Department of Music, also includes four additional academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more at

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