New Faculty Spotlight: Taylor Stobinski

Meghan Laska Conservatory News

Suzuki Cello Teacher Growing up, Taylor Stobinski always had a love and passion for music. His first experience with music was at an “instrumental playground” with all kinds of instruments from the viola and cello to the trombone and trumpet. However, he had a special affinity for the cello. After two years of playing, he started lessons at age 12. …

Conservatory Program Hires New Director

RSC Conservatory News

Matt Heck has only been at Rivers a few weeks, but he’s already developed a handy way to describe the school’s Conservatory Program: “It’s varsity music.” It’s a useful shorthand, and it’s only natural that Heck would have come up with it: As the  Conservatory Program director, a newly created position, Heck is charged with overseeing and coordinating all aspects …

Celebrating Faculty Excellence at RSC: Your Words of Gratitude from Faculty Appreciation Day 2021

RSC Conservatory News

Dear Mr. Sussman, I can’t believe a whole year has passed since this pandemic started.  Your uplifting and positive attitude over Zoom has been a bright spot in our week. Thank you for your continued patience and encouragement.   Best regards, Bettina Eikeboom ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ It has been great having Catherine as a guitar teacher and I look forward to having more …

2020-2021 In Review: Looking Back on a Memorable Year of Music-Making

RSC Conservatory News

The pandemic did not stop RSC from providing students with abundant educational opportunities in 2020-2021. In fact, the calendar was as packed as ever, with concerts, competitions, master classes, rehearsals, recitals, and more. Here are some highlights! Rivers Youth Orchestras Operated In-Person All Year Long The Rivers Youth Orchestra program was a trailblazer in the return to in-person ensemble playing. …

Bidding Farewell to Music Executive Committee Chair Bala Cumaresan and Welcoming Alison Hall

RSC Conservatory News

Did you know that The Rivers School Conservatory has an Executive Committee, made up of 15 dedicated community, staff, and ex-officio members who are instrumental in helping the organization to succeed? The committee functions as a governing body, meeting regularly to oversee the operations of RSC. Committee members also work with RSC Director Gabriella Sanna to institute goals and policies …

Tushman Siblings Earn Accolades from The American Protégé International Music Talent Competition & The AFAF Online Stay at Home International Competition

RSC Conservatory News

Siblings Audrey and Henry Tushman have been studying with RSC piano faculty member Sandra Hebert since they were about five years old. Together, this faculty-student trio has built a meaningful foundation for music education. Eighth-grader Henry says that he looks forward to every lesson because of Ms. Hebert’s positive and caring demeanor. “She knows all of her students really well,” …

Introducing This Year’s Commissioned Composer, Keeril Makan

RSC Conservatory News

The Rivers School Conservatory is quickly approaching its 42nd year of the Annual Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young, designed to introduce audiences and young musicians to music of our time, all composed in the past 25 years. Since its founding in 1978, the seminar has presented 3,107 pieces, representing more than 1,842 composers and 683 premieres, including 207 …

A Spring Snapshot of RSC Ensembles: Setting the Standard for Mid-Pandemic Musical Collaboration

RSC Conservatory News

289 students. 47 rehearsals. 14 performances. These numbers represent the scope of activities of the Rivers Youth Orchestras, Camerata Strings, Rivers Youth Wind Ensemble, and ChamberMusicLab in the 2020-2021 school year. Evidently, the ongoing pandemic hasn’t been able to stop them from continuing the art of musical collaboration. Keep reading to learn more! Rivers Youth Orchestras (RYO) From the emergence …