In summer 2003, Adjunct Professor Elise S.Sobol travelled to New Zealand and
Australia -- where our summer is their winter -- to perform and lecture. Engaged to make her formal professional piano debut on August 13, 2003 with the Melbourne Musicians Chamber Orchestra in Melbourne, Australia, Professor Sobol traveled first to New Zealand for a bit of 'holiday.' As guest of the ex-Chancellor of the University of Waikato she ended up giving a formal piano recital and a number of presentations on teaching music to children with special needs to
the university and community educators.
Before departing New Zealand, Professor Sobol was privileged to meet with the Director of Group Special Education at the Ministry of Education to share and exchange ideas and to develop training workshops for their teachers in the future.
On August 9, Professor Sobol was interviewed live on 3MBS l03.5 FM, Melbourne's Classical radio station, in anticipation of her upcoming performance as guest soloist with the Melbourne Musicians Chamber Orchestra. Music Director Frank Pam had heard her perform in Vancouver, British Columbia in July 2002 and invited her then to come to Australia to perform a concerto of her choice with the Orchestra. Noted for her ability to communicate with audiences, especially in her presentations combining commentary and concert on "Mozart, The Exceptional Child", Prof. Sobol chose the very popular Piano Concerto in G Major, K. 453.
Clive O'Connell, critic of The Age, wrote "Elise Sobol was soloist… her phrases emerged with fluidity... The Melbourne Musicians never sounded better." Sir Rupert Hamen and Lady April Hamen, former Prime Minister of Victoria attended the concert and expressed their delight in the evening's performance. The audience members exclaimed they were "over the moon!"
Interview and concert will soon be available on CD and plans are in the works for return engagements both in New Zealand and in Australia.
Elise Sobol has sustained a multi-faceted career in music performance, artist management and in special music education. She has studied with several renowned performers including Murray Perahia and the late Roslyn Tureck. Her influential pedagogues included Anita Gelber and the late Nadia Reisenberg. At 18 she toured as accompanist to the acclaimed double bass virtuoso, Gary Karr and as soloist, accompanist or chamber musician, she has performed in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Professor Sobol is author of An Attitude and Approach for Teaching Music to Special Learners (Pentland Press, USA 2001) and contributing author for two recent New York State Education publications: "Tools for Schools - Improving Student Achievement through the Arts" (2001) and "Music - A Resource Guide for Standards-Based Instruction." (2002). She has been the New York State School Music Association Chairperson for Teaching Music to Special Learners since l993. |
