If you're a musician who wants to be challenged to take your talents to the next level, master classes being offered by The Studio, Colonial's Arts Academy, are designed for you. For a few years now, Colonial has offered private instruction on various instruments including: piano, guitar, clarinet, voice and many others; offering master classes is a first.

"Master classes give people an opportunity to try on a music lesson in a group setting. For the cost of a dinner out, you can be with an expert, in a live setting, with other people of like interest and expand your musical knowledge," said Gary Hallquist, Director of The Studio. Instructors are masters of their instruments who have a wide-range of musical experience in performance and education. Sometimes it can be hard to maintain regular practice and focus during the summer months; the master classes are intended to encourage musicians to continue growing and learning throughout the summer.

This summer, The Studio will offer classes in voice, improvisation, drums, strings, piano and bass. Master Class instructors represent the top talent in their field. Adelaide Muir Trombetta is an internationally recognized singer who has performed leading opera roles. "God can speak to us through music; and sometimes He allows me to be the vessel," said Adelaide. She enjoys having the opportunity to help other vocalists hone their craft so that they can glorify God with their talents. Her husband, Domenico Luca Trombetta, is a classically trained violist who has played with orchestras and chamber ensembles all over the world. "I do all to the glory of God," said Luca, whether he's performing with Yo-Yo Ma or teaching students in his studio in Lynchburg, VA.

Dale Baker, a drummer who has worked with well-known artists like Emmylou Harris and Michael W. Smith, in addition to several years with the Grammy-nominated group Sixpence None the Richer, is uniquely equipped to encourage aspiring drummers to develop their talent. Music educators like jazz pianist Ernest A. Turner, II of East Carolina University's music program and piano instructor Robert Hallquist, recently director of the University of Northern Colorado's School of Music, bring a rich background of training young musicians to the master class program.

Gary Hallquist who directs the Colonial Celebration orchestra and who has four jazz-hymn albums to his credit will be leading classes on improvisation. "Master classes are a great way to expose the [triangle area] community to The Studio," said Gary. "Private instruction is the mainstay of what we do. It is the week-to-week lessons that really grow a student. However, the master classes are an opportunity to expose students to subjects they might not normally cover in their private lessons--stimulating their musical growth even further."

Each master class is designed in a workshop style and will include three hours of instruction. You may register online at thestudiocbc.org or contact Leslie Cooper at lcooper@colonial.org for more information.