Aloha Friends!
After 20 wonderful years on Maui, an island I will always hold extremely dear to my heart, I am excited to begin a new chapter in the history of the class. This year's class will be held in the town of Kona on the island of Hawaii, commonly known as the Big Island. We are all sad to not see all of our friends and generous supporters on Maui this year, but thrilled to bring our guitars and music to the Big Island.
I am over the moon to tell you that this year's guest is the esteemed pedagogue and performer Julian Gray of Peabody Conservatory and Shenandoah University. Julian has been a dear friend and colleague from the very start of my career. He will be accompanied by his wife, guitarist Serap Bastepe-Gray, who is an Assistant Professor of Guitar and co-founder of the Center for Music and Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University.
We hope you will join us on this new chapter of what we now title the Ben Verdery Hawaii Masterclass. Read on for all the details.
As always,
Peace, Love and Guitars!
Ben
2020 Class Information
Benjamin Verdery is excited to announce his 21st guitar class in Hawaii, the first taking place on the Big Island, from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 12, 2020. Joining him as guest teacher this year will be Julian Gray of the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University and Shenandoah University. Joining again this year as guest ukulele teacher and ensemble assistant will be Hawaiian guitarist and ukulele player Ian O’Sullivan, who teaches at the University of Hawai‘i and the Kamehameha Schools. Guest lecturers include Serap Bastepe-Gray, co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Center for Music and Medicine, and Simon Powis, founder of Classical Guitar Corner.
Please see below for all the details, and for updated information visit benverderyhawaiiclass.com.
Class events
The class will include an opening faculty recital, masterclasses and lectures, and student recitals at beautiful locations on the Big Island.
Opening concer
Friday, July 3, 7:00 PM. Performances by Ben Verdery, Julian Gray, Serap Bastepe-Gray, Ian O’Sullivan, and special guests.
Classes
Beginning Saturday, July 4, and continuing through Sunday, July 12.
Student recitals
There will be 2–3 student recitals, to be announced.
Travel dates
Students should plan to arrive in time for the 7:00 PM concert on Friday, July 3, and depart no sooner than Monday, July 13. Class activities will conclude late on the evening of Sunday, July 12.
Class format
Each student will play three times during the class, receiving two 30-minute masterclass sessions with Mr. Verdery and one with Julian Gray. All students will perform in student concerts and also participate in the guitar ensemble. In addition, Mr. O’Sullivan will offer informal ukulele and Hawaiian slack key classes for interested class participants as part of the class activities.
The class is also open to auditors, who may attend all masterclasses, concerts, and other class activities.
Established ensembles, as well as individuals, are encouraged to apply.
Classes will be held daily for approximately three to six hours. In addition to the masterclass each day, there will be ensemble coaching and discussions of topics such as technique, practicing, posture, performance anxiety, career development, competitions, and recital preparation.
Mr. Verdery and Mr. Gray will teach any repertoire, including original compositions, and any aspect of playing that students would like to work on. By mid-June, a schedule for the week will be set, and repertoire will be announced so that participants will have the chance to borrow/buy music that will be studied. Ensemble music will be sent in advance so that students can be ready to start rehearsals when the class begins.
The atmosphere of the class is very casual but active. In the past there have been group trips arranged around the classes and concerts to other areas of the island.
Eligibility
The class is open to guitarists of all ages. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; no exceptions.
Tuition
Tuition, not including room and board, is $500 for individual participants, $375 per person for duos, $300 per person for trios, and $250 per person for quartets. Those registering as ensembles must take all of their lessons as an ensemble. The fee for auditors is $200.
Students accepted into the class will be asked to send a $200 deposit by March 15. The balance of the tuition must be paid by June 15.
Lodging
Most class participants will stay in condos at the Kona Reef Resort or at the adjacent Hale Kona Kai, on the water in Kona, Hawaii. All units have fully-equipped kitchens. Amenities include a pool, parking, and outdoor barbecues. Markets and restaurants are located nearby.
Students interested in sharing a condo should indicate that preference when applying to the class, and we will let you know what the options are. The shared housing option is open to class participants over the age of 21 only; no exceptions.
If you do not plan to stay in stay in a shared condo, you should arrange your own lodging by calling Kona Now Hawaii Rentals (800-421-3696) or visiting konanow.com to reserve. In addition to the condos managed by Kona Now, more condo units can be found by visiting vrbo.com and searching for either Kona Reef or Hale Kona Kai. Early reservations are advised.
You must make your own air travel and/or car rental reservations. If you will not be renting a car, we can arrange to pick you up from the airport. Transit from the condos to the class events will be provided by a class van as well as shared rides with students with rentals cars.
You must let us know your travel and accommodation plans, and whether you will be renting a car, by May 31, 2020.
Application procedure
To apply for the class, send an email to verderyclass [at] gmail [dot] com with the following information:
Your name
Your experience with the guitar (years playing, main teachers, schools, etc.)
Repertoire you propose to play (this can be changed later)
Recordings: Applicants who have not attended the class previously, or did not attend the class between 2013 and 2019, must submit an audio or video recording of two works in contrasting style and tempo. Recordings may be submitted as attached mp3s or as links to online video or audio files. The recordings do not need to be professional quality and should not cause stress!
Applications will be accepted until February 15, 2020. Students accepted into the class will be notified by March 1.
Important dates
February 15: Application deadline
March 1: Notification date
March 15: Tuition deposit due
March 31: Shared housing deposit due
April 30: Shared housing balance due, travel information due
May 15: Repertoire selections due
May 31: Travel plans due
June 15: Tuition balance due; ensemble music and schedule sent out
July 3, evening: Class starts
July 12, evening: Class ends
Further information
Please email John Olson (verderyclass [at] gmail [dot] com) for further information.