(BDC K-10 from 2010 to 2019)

“I am writing this newsletter from Serbia, while attending a fantastic 3 week masterclass programme at The Stefan Milenkovic Music Institute.

I have been living in Austria for 7 months and I find delight everyday in learning new things about the culture, the music scene and of course discovering new desserts in the bakeries…

I am studying at Kunstuniversität Graz (KUG), a prestigious university in Austria's second largest city. I study violin under Professor Vesna Stankovic (Concertmaster of Vienna Volksoper) and chamber music under Professor Alexander Pavlovsky (First Violinist of Jerusalem String Quartet).

A highlight of the semester was performing 4 sold-out concerts of "The Merry Widow" with the uni opera orchestra. I've enjoyed enrolling in subjects that are new to me, including conducting, aural training and weekly group classes dedicated to learning orchestral excerpts. The university cohort is very international; I have made friends with so many fantastic musicians from all over the world.

I am lucky to be living quite close to Vienna, where I often go to watch concerts. I have fallen in love with Austrian cities. With practically every street boasting a grand cathedral overflowing with angelic choir music and cafes with more cake varieties than I could list in a lifetime, it might be hard to tell the difference between Vienna and heaven! I have also had a chance to explore the beautiful Alps during a weekend trip to St Anton am Alberg.

Earlier this year, I auditioned for the Domaine Forget Academy (Quebec, Canada) and the Stefan Milenkovic Music Institute (Novi Sad, Serbia). I was delighted to be accepted for both, as they are very competitive summer music intensives. These programmes are designed to give university age players opportunities to study under some of the top professors in the world and to play chamber music with peers.

I have been writing this newsletter during my practice breaks at the Stefan Milenkovic Music Institute in Serbia. I will be here for 3 weeks. The programme includes 3 lessons a week with Professor Stefan Milenkovic and his teaching assistant Una Stanic, as well as chamber music, exercise classes and performance opportunities. I am feeling so inspired by the professors' teaching and watching the other students perform.

This programme is designed to support the development of well-rounded musicians. We've had fantastic group conversations about keeping a healthy lifestyle outside of music and learnt about exercise and breathing techniques. Many musicians at this level are practicing their instruments at the same hours and intensity as the training of an Olympic athlete. This is a very demanding lifestyle for young adults who are full time students and often working in orchestras or teaching. Coming to the Institute provides an opportunity to improve instrumental playing, as well as to receive support and guidance for future careers.”

Congratulations Rose on such an outstanding adventure in the world of music!