Kimberly Nelson, a junior at Colleyville Heritage High School, has earned a coveted spot in The Philadelphia International Music Festival’s virtual Master Class, and she will perform for a worldwide audience this Friday, October 23.
The prestigious online Master Class series attracts auditions from gifted musicians all over the world, with only three being selected to participate in this particular performance.
Kimberly will play Vladislav Blazhevich’s “G Minor Etude - Lento” for Philadelphia Orchestra Co-Principal Trombone Matthew Vaughn and a worldwide online audience. After the performance, she’ll receive analysis and constructive criticism from the nationally-renowned, and Dallas-born trombonist, along with supportive running commentary from viewers in real time.
Kimberly is a member of the Colleyville Heritage instrumental program as well as the world-renowned Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra program. She was a 2019 and 2020 Texas Music Educators Association All-State musician.
“This piece is Blazhevich's most dramatic lyrical etude, and I love the romanticism and expressiveness I can portray through it. I am drawn to lyrical music, as I feel it best demonstrates my passion for playing the trombone,” Kimberly explains. “I am preparing by practicing the piece every day and reminding myself to play from the heart. I find that I enjoy music the most when I am focused on expressing myself, not just playing the right notes.”
The Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF) is a summer music program directed by Kimberly Fisher, Principal Second Violin of The Philadelphia Orchestra, offering student musicians from around the world the unique opportunity of spending one, two, or four weeks immersed in music education and performance training with members of the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, traditionally on the campus of Bryn Mawr College but this year online at VirtualMusicCamp.org.