Strings workshop eat. Drink. Breathe music.

CEBU, Philippines - Eat, drink and breathe music with Tatyana Ivanova Todorova, Dulce Marinela Balagtas, and Teodor Zdravkov Izmirev of Singapore’s Mandeville Conservatory of Music from May 10-13 for Omnilogy’s first “Strings Workshop” this year.

Todorova has had over 20 years experience in teaching violin, this was learned through an Omnilogy packet sent to The FREEMAN.

“She has a Masters Degree in Music major in Methods of Violin Instruction and Conducting from South-Eastern University in Bulgaria, has organized various concerts and performances in Bulgaria and in Singapore, and has trained over 17 prize-winning students in various national and international violin competitions. Her experiences and talents have made her a sought-after guest in numerous Strings conferences around Singapore,” it added.

Currently, she is the lead of Strings at the Mandeville Music School – Conservatory of Music in Singapore.

Like Todorova, Dulce Marinela Balagtas teaches at Mandeville. She holds a Diploma in Performing from Trinity College of London and has attended several String conferences such as the Suzuki Conference in Singapore and the Singapore International String Conference from 2004 to 2010. Internationally, Balagtas participated in the Suzuki Intermountain Camp in Sandy, Utah in June of 2004, the American String Teachers Association Conference in February of 2008, and the Colorado Suzuki Institute and Chamber Music of the Rockies in June 2009. She was a regular performer at the Ritz-Carlton Millennia Singapore from January 1997-2002. For several years now, she has been part of a string group that plays for five-star hotels.

As for Teodor Zdravkov Izmirev, who has over 20 years of violin teaching stint including that of his current post in Mandeville, it was learned that he completed his professional training at the State Academy of Music (Pancho Vladigerov) in Sofia. He has taught, as well, numerous students that have gone on to participate and win in many national and global violin tilts. He was a conductor of a students string orchestra called “Young Virtuosos” from 2000 to 2005, and has performed all over Europe as a member of the Chamber Orchestra. 

All three will be brought in by Omnilogy, Inc. which will host the event at the Rizal Library and Museum here in Cebu City.

Omnilogy expressed that this activity is open to everyone interested to develop their skills and learn more about Strings training, as it is its primary organizational aim to get people involved in its initiated classical music and art activities. “This is intended for people affected with ‘learned helplessness’ so they may be able to recognize their full potential beyond their limitations,” Omnilogy emphasized.

“One of our methodologies in achieving this end is the “Bridging the Gap Series” which is a series of concerts and workshops aimed at breaking down the barriers dividing society through Classical Music and music education,” it further said.

“We use music as the non-obtrusive language to communicate the need for mutual and collective respect between societies, and inspire the best from within the individual.”

On this note, the goal of the Strings Workshop emphasizes in fostering cultural exchange and promoting excellence in String pedagogy and performance. The workshop aims to develop a culture of professionalism among teachers and students, to inspire values that promote respect, tolerance and camaraderie; and to expand diversity through musical exchange.

“We endeavor to make this activity serve as an eye-opener to the engaging and variety-filled world of music and provide an intensely dynamic musical environment where musicians (young and old) will desire to “eat, drink and breathe music” on a conscious level through the study of different techniques in classical training. Its exchange, infusion of ideas and knowledge in such environment is nothing less than inspiring.”

Workshop Outline

Technique Class: A set of repertoire of different levels will be given in advance for the participants to prepare and memorize. Participants will learn the technical aspects of instrumental playing, and techniques on how to improve their skills to a higher level. The activity will end with a culmination concert performed by the participants.

Master Classes: Participants will prepare one or two pieces and receive individual coaching from the faculty. The Master Classes may be observed by the rest of the conference participants.

Chamber Music: Selected participants will be grouped into duos, trios, quarters or small chamber ensembles. These chamber groups will be coached by the chamber music faculty and will present their performances in concerts during the conference.

Showmanship Classes: Participants will be taught on how to prepare themselves prior to a performance, and to present themselves in their outmost best on stage.

There will also be faculty concerts wherein invited professors will perform for the participants and the public; talks for students and parents; movie time, lunch and gala concerts, final rehearsal and lunch/dinner.

As for the curriculum, workshop participants are strongly encouraged to attend the following classes that are pegged at their skill levels: Beginner level (Twinkle); Primary level, Elementary level, Intermediate level, and Advance level.

Registration and orientation happens on May 9 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Classes are to be conducted from May 10 to the morning of May 13, wherein final rehearsal for gala concert will take place before its 7:30 p.m. sked.

For course rates (vary for residents and non-residents), complete schedule of activities, and the registration sheet, log on to www.omnilogyinc.org or email: [email protected].