Classical Music Explorations: Hsing-ay and Friends

Music • Classical

Interactive Music Appreciation

Amid the noise of daily life, listening is a vital skill that fosters deeper communication and connection. But how can we truly attune ourselves to the music around us, and how might these skills transform our everyday interactions? Join us for an extraordinary journey of discovery through the art of Conscious Listening™.

This interactive workshop is led by internationally acclaimed Steinway Artist and educator Hsing-ay Hsu. With her unique 4-step method to unlock the secrets of classical piano music, she will perform one work live in the intimate setting of the Kaufman Music Center immediately north of Lincoln Center, UWS.

https://www.hsingayhsu.com/explorations

Format:

• Group warm-up exercise: Start by tuning into your listening potential.
• World-class live performance: Experience excerpts from Prokofiev's D major and Mozart's K.304 E minor violin and piano sonatas. Steinway Concert B.
• Interactive deep dive: Explore, compare, contrast melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, and how they combine to create emotional expression.
• Listen to a phrase multiple times to hear more details.
• Breakout discussions: Share perspectives in small groups to enrich your understanding.
• Q&A
  

New Skills Checklist

• Musical Growth: Gain insight into musical elements and styles.
• Emotional Intelligence: Enhance your capacity to listen with mindfulness and empathy.
• Critical Thinking: Develop tools for asking questions, exploring nuance, and diving deeper.
• Lifelong Learning: Cultivate curiosity and connect with a vibrant learning community.

Rediscover mindfulness, musical models, and personal meaning in this one-of-a-kind experience. We can’t wait to see you there!

About the Artists

Hsing-ay Hsu

A Steinway Artist, Hsing-ay Hsu is focused on the art of listening. Since her stage debut at age 4, Steinway Artist Hsing-ay Hsu (“Sing-I Shoo”) has been performing at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center NYC, and in Europe & Asia. International prizewinner, concert producer, teacher/educator, studio owner, adjudicator, she hosts a YouTube channel and Café webinars to help music- lovers process life through music. Born in Beijing, Ms. Hsu trained at Juilliard, and Yale University. A former faculty member at the University of Colorado, she teaches at her Nutmeg Studio, at Kaufman Center, Rocky Ridge in CO, and Chautauqua Institution adult programs, and is Artist-in-Residence at Klavierhaus NYC. Bio at hsingayhsu.com.

Anna Elashvili

Violinist Anna Elashvili, hailed as "riveting" by the New York Times, has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician and concertmaster around the world. Anna is a violinist of Decoda - an Affiliate of Carnegie Hall and also performs with the East Coast and Orpheus Chamber Orchestras, NOVUS NY, Musicians of Lenox Hill and the Mark Morris Orchestra. She also served as Co-Artistic Director of Decoda, first violinist of the Bryant Park Quartet, an Ensemble Connect Carnegie Hall fellow. Her international travels include concerts in England, Mexico, Germany, Canada, Israel, Iceland and Abu Dhabi. Ms. Elashvili received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from The Juilliard School. www.annaviolin.com

Testimonials

"Conscious Listening™ is about how we relate to music, how it is meaningful and expressive to me. This week I NOTICED music on the street - all the other noise faded into the background."

"Great vibe - we’re invited to ask and share and compare experiences."

"I love how you pull in different ideas, memories, stories, impressions, and layers of meaning."

"Wonderful tools not only to enhance their experience of music but also to help them have an experience of themselves."

"When you invite people to join you in taking time to breathe with mindfulness, you are helping them get back into their body with more curiosity and wonder."

"I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed YOU - and your course! How grateful I am that I have participated with you! You really are a delightful, engaging teacher!"

"Fascinating and engaging: creative programming, generous sharing of skills /colors /philosophic communications, all done with your unique & graceful style..."

"Hsing-ay took my appreciation of the classics to another level! I learned much from this change with Anna. As always, Hsing-ay's playing and her body of knowledge are unsurpassed!" -Francisco

"I had such an amazing time yesterday and there's been this wonderful residual effect of listening deeper and seeing more of the colors in the world." - Lisa

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Kaufman Music Center, 129 West 67th Street, New York, United States