Leah Ferguson, 16, Viola

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Listen to our clip of the week, Leah performing the Sarasateana transcribed by William Primrose:


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Watch this video profile of Leah produced by the Flashpoint Academy for Media Arts and Sciences:


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Fifteen year old violist, Leah Ferguson, a sophomore at New Trier High School began her music studies at the Music Institute of Chicago as a five year old Suzuki student, and is currently a member of the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy program for gifted pre-college musicians where she studies privately with MIC artist faculty member Roland Vamos.

Leah has spent summers studying viola and chamber music with Mark Jackobs of the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Cleveland Orchestra. She has attended summer programs: ENCORE School for Strings, Astona International Summer Music Academy in Switzerland, and the Rocky Mountain Conservatory. In the spring of 2009, Leah will be featured on the 98.7 WFMT Radio “Introductions”. In 2008, Leah performed recitals on the Young Steinway Concert Series, and in Owensboro, KY.

Recently, Leah was selected as Semi-finalist in the 2009 Johansen International Competition - the competition for 13-17 year old string players occurs every three years and will be held in Washington D.C. in March 2009. Additional awards include being chosen from the state of Illinois to advance to the junior semi-finalist round 2009 National ASTA Solo Competition; Winner of the 2008 Wendell Irish Viola Award for the North Central United States; Winner of the 2008 James Glacking Young Musician Competition sponsored by the North Suburban Symphony; Alternate in the 2008 Illinois Senior String Competition sponsored by MTNA.

Leah particularly enjoys playing chamber music and has performed in both string quartets and piano trios. She is a member of the Academy Chamber Strings of the Music Institute of Chicago. Away from the viola, Leah’s interests are languages, film, and opera.

She has participated in master classes with Jeffrey Irvine, Michael Strauss, and Joel Smirnoff.

Program:

W.A. Mozart – Trio in Eb K. 498 “Kegelstatt”
a. 3rd movement - Rondo Allegretto

J. S. Bach 2nd Suite – selected movements
a. Allemande
b. Courante

Johannes Brahms Sonata in Eb Major Opus 120, No. 2
1st movement – Allegro amabile
2nd movement – Appassionato ma non Troppo Allegro

Sarasateana (Transcribed by William Primrose)
a. Tango – Allegro Moderato

Leah Ferguson, viola
Kirsten Ahnell, clarinet
Alicja Basinska, piano