From Brazil to Cleveland, CIM Student Builds Confidence Through Music

Cleveland Institute of Music student Felipe Brito (trombone, La Rosa) spends his Wednesday afternoons 10 miles down the road at Euclid High School where he teaches a group of teenagers in the school’s marching band. As Brito snaps his fingers along with a metronome, the brass students work through each of their parts, Brito leading the way. He’s a natural, having been teaching since 2006 in a similar community outreach program in his hometown of Itu, Brazil.

Robert Vernon to Teach Students at CIM Exclusively

When Robert Vernon announced he was retiring from The Cleveland Orchestra after 40 years serving as principal viola, he made one thing clear: he would continue to teach. For the 2016-17 year, his first year not with The Orchestra, Vernon will maintain a teaching studio exclusively at CIM—remaining co-chair of the viola department. Vernon has had an exceptional track record of getting his students placed into the world’s top orchestras. His successor, taking over as principal viola in The Orchestra is Wesley Collins, who was once his student at CIM.

Pierre van der Westhuizen, President of the CIPC, to Give Lecture at CIM

When acclaimed South African pianist Dr. Pierre van der Westhuizen took over as President of the Cleveland International Piano Competition (CIPC) in 2013, he spearheaded the successful turnaround of the competition; as it now stands as one of the top competitions for pianists in the world. This Thursday, September 15, at 12:30pm in Mixon Hall, Dr. van der Westhuizen will lead a lecture entitled, “Navigating the World of Competitions” open to the CIM community.