Ask a CIM Student
Tell us about a teacher that inspires you.
Karisa Chiu, MM2, Laredo/Lowe: "Every conversation I’ve had in which Jaime Laredo is brought up, someone always says something along the lines of “Oh, I just love Mr. Laredo!” For a person who has achieved as much as he has, I’ve never known someone to be so humble and kind. His generosity, dedication to his students, and sincere love for music will inspire me forever."
What is a benefit of CIM that people might not know about?
Colin DeMatteo, BM2, Kuznetsova: "One of the greatest parts of going to CIM that I’ve found is the process of getting to watch and work with my extremely talented peers. It was not something I considered when making my decision to come to CIM, but it is one of the things I love the most. I have learned so much from watching my fellow singers take the stage in the ways that they do. So much of what I try to implement into my own performances are things I saw one of my peers do, whether it be in studio class or opera rehearsals. Not only this, I am constantly amazed and inspired by them, and it motivates me to do my very best. I am a better person and performer because of them, and I am so grateful."
How do you handle nerves while performing live at a concert or audition?
Caroline Friend, BM4, Kuznetsova: "Focus the nervous energy into excitement, and always perform prepared. The sense of preparation does NOT mean perfection, but rather trust and self-reliance. I have found that my most confident performances came from this perspective. This itself requires time and practice, but once you allow yourself to live in the moment and trust in your hard work, it clicks. If you are just starting to work this muscle, that is okay! Something that helped me lessen my performance nerves was singing in studio and repertoire classes. So much of my performance strength came from using quality time in the practice room, working together with my teacher, and receiving feedback from supportive colleagues. If you are nervous to make mistakes in a performance or audition, be open to them. It sounds like the opposite of what musicians practice, but you must be gracious to yourself. Mistakes remind us that we are human, and that is the beauty of being a musician. We are constantly growing and finessing our craft, so savor the process and do not treat the audience as an enemy. Whoever is watching you play wants to hear you wholeheartedly, so offer them an honest performance they will remember. Be excited to tell your story to a judge panel. Be excited to heal someone's heart in the audience. Nerves will naturally appear and reappear, but you have the strength to change them into a remedy."
What is your favorite part of living in Cleveland?
Nolan Juaire, MM2, Vieaux: "Cleveland is my hometown, and after moving to LA for my undergraduate and returning I can honestly say Cleveland has a lot more going for it than it gets credit for. The city is home to great museums, performance venues, schools, and many other community spaces. Through these, Cleveland has really grown into a city receptive to and supportive of the arts, which I've certainly felt through all the performance and work opportunities available to me.
As a place to live, it's affordable, has a great sense of community (and some shared suffering in winter), and there's no shortage of amazing restaurants, local stores, parks, and other unique things to experience. The area around CIM (University Circle) is packed with restaurants from different cultures, many different museums, and concert venues from local grunge to Severance Music Center.
Cleveland might not be a giant metropolitan hub, but what it lacks in skyscrapers it makes up for in charm and opportunity."
How has your love of music grown during your time at CIM?
Alex Karstedt, BM1, Sullivan: My love for music has grown exponentially at CIM! I am a trombone player, so I have a course called “Low Brass Class” and in this class we play in sectionals on different pieces every week. This gives me a more diverse understanding of each piece, which makes them unique and exciting in their own way. I also learn so much from the conductors in Orchestra when they go into depth about specific parts of the music we are performing. When the conductor takes out a section of an orchestral piece, and gives us a visual representation of the music, it allows us to be more willing to go out of our comfort zone. This makes the music come alive and so much more enjoyable to play!
What is the best advice you've gotten from a teacher at CIM?
Jazmin Pascual Flores, BM3, Yusuf: "The best advice I have gotten from my teacher is to always look at my music and my clarinet playing through 'different lenses.' Having a different focus on every practice session and trying to find new and different ways of playing or discovering hidden messages on the pieces that I play has been extremely refreshing and rewarding. Studying with maestro Afendi Yusuf has been incredibly inspiring, and I will definitely cherish his advice as I continue my musical journey."
Is there anything you wish you'd known before going into your audition at CIM?
Ifetayo Ali, BM4, Kraut: “I wish I would have known how important it would be to embrace the moment! I know it sounds cheesy, but you’re surrounded by great musicians who are going through a very similar experience as you. These are people you will see again in the future, and now is the time to mingle and get to know everyone!
Trust that you’ve prepared to the best of your abilities, and live in the moment instead of stressing out about your audition/interview (easier said than done, I know). All of the faculty and CIM students are here to see you succeed, and we have all been in your shoes at some point, so think of us as your biggest cheerleaders. Ultimately, I wish I had more memories of my audition process; it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!”
What is the best thing you have learned so far while studying at CIM?
Jack Fischer, BM4, Damoulakis/Yancich: "I remember during my freshman year feeling the weight of what was being asked of me. You learn a lot from your teachers here and just as much from your peers. The experiences I’ve had at CIM have shown me that confidence is the strongest trait to possess, and to always maintain one's will in the face of opposition. It’s best to always take action, as taking action leads to confidence and high self-esteem."
How do you balance being in a conservatory with other hobbies?
Layan Atieh, MM2, Silberschlag: "I’m now in my tenth year of playing my instrument, and it’s been really interesting to reflect on how the role of music in my life has transformed throughout the years. For me, playing the horn began as a hobby, and practicing and going to a rehearsal was just a fun thing I did after school. When I went to Conservatory, this hobby transformed and was no longer just after school, but all of school. Now as I’m finishing up my second year of Masters, music is once again transforming beyond school and into what I do for work. Throughout these transformations from hobby to school to work, I’ve had to find ways to hold on to the “fun” as the stakes got higher, and one of the things that helps me maintain joy in horn is cultivating hobbies outside of horn.
Balancing hobbies and Conservatory is not just about finding the time to do so, but finding the right hobbies that compliment your music career and are flexible to its inevitable transformations. For me, that meant letting go of some hobbies, maintaining some in ways that I never expected, and always being open to trying new hobbies. One of the hobbies that I’ve had to phase out is martial arts, despite it being an integral part of my life growing up, because I could no longer risk injury to my face and I no longer lived by my martial arts school. I’ve since picked up some new forms of exercise that help me take care of my health, bring me joy and fulfillment, and allow me to engage in them wherever music ends up taking me, such as weightlifting, yoga, rock climbing, and even pickleball.
Sometimes my life needs a hobby that is physically demanding and mentally engaging, forcing me to invest a lot of focus and energy into it. Sometimes my life needs a soothing hobby that allows me to leave my striving in the practice room. Sometimes I need a solitary hobby, while other times I need a social hobby. Sometimes I need creativity, other times I need routine.
As the role of music in your life and your relationship with your instrument changes - even from day to day - so too will your needs. My advice would be to be open to adventure and to trying new things with new people in new places. Find a way to enjoy being an amateur and enjoy a hobby that you may never have the time to become excellent in. Be gentle with yourself when letting go of hobbies that do not align with your life at the moment, be grateful for how they have served you when you needed them, and be open to perhaps finding joy in them again at a different point in your life."
Where do you see yourself, career-wise, in ten years?
Katelyn Croft, DMA3, Kondonassis: In 10 years I hope to be a college professor with a large harp studio and split my time between the US and Asia where I will be helping US universities build music programs. I want to help grow the harp’s popularity and expand its reputation, taking it into new genres and spaces where it is not normally heard.
Tell us about your favorite performance experience at CIM.
Yumiko Yumiba, AD2, Ilya Kaler: "I have had many meaningful concert experiences at CIM, but one of the most special performances for me was the Sibelius Violin Concerto at Severance Music Center on November 15, 2023. The audience was so warm and the view from the stage with Maestro Parnther and my colleagues was just unforgettable. I am so grateful for the support of my teacher -- Professor Ilya Kaler -- my family, and my friends. I hope to come back to Cleveland to perform at Severance Music Center again and to leave an impact on my community as a professional violinist."
If you didn't play the instrument you do now, what instrument would you play?
Jonas Aumiller, AD2, Babayan: "Not exactly an instrument, but I hope this still counts: If I didn‘t play the piano I would have loved to go into conducting! I have always been fascinated by the orchestra and its literature, and I like the idea of a conductor leading a group of musicians to give their best, both individually and as an ensemble.
Since some of my favorite pieces of music are not written for piano but for orchestra, I like to play (and create) piano transcriptions — in fact, in this picture I am playing my arrangement of Liszt‘s Symphonic Poem "Orpheus.“ But of course, it would be even nicer to conduct the original works!"