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Medici Mondays: J Alexander Bennett By Charlie Snyder, Arizona Arts

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Thursday, November 7, 2024
College of Fine Arts, School of Music

J Alexander Bennett attended three orchestral conducting workshops, thanks to support from the College of Fine Arts Medici Circle.

Alex, a second-year doctoral student studying orchestral conducting, toured the West with stops at the the Oregon Conducting Institute, the Boise Baroque Conducting Workshop, and the Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute. 

“I worked closely with amazing professionals from the field, met old and new friends and colleagues, and made many breakthroughs in my conducting,” he said. 

Students: Become a Medici Scholar. | Supporters: Join the Medici Circle.

J Alexander Bennett conducting in Boise.
Alex with renowned teachers Diane Wintry and Anna Edwards.

This trio of conducting programs, offered intensive, hands-on training and insights from distinguished mentors. At the University of Oregon Summer Conducting Institute, he studied with master teachers, David Jacobs and Mark Gibson, honing both technical and interpretive skills with the University of Oregon Symphony and Oregon Camerata. In Boise, under Artistic Director Robert Franz and Boise Baroque Orchestra principal musicians, students were immersed in baroque and classical repertoire, with a focus on baroque-style technique. Finally, on Whidbey Island, Washington, Alex joined the Pacific Northwest Conducting Institute for an energizing six-day workshop led by renowned teachers Diane Wittry and Anna Edwards, gaining podium time, networking opportunities, and business insights essential for advancing in the field.

“These workshops are hotbeds of collaboration and creativity! I gained a great deal of experience joining forces with professional players and conductors alike and learned much about myself both on and off the podium. It was such an invaluable experience, and my conducting is better for it! 

“I am already implementing my learnings this fall in the School of Music, and I am looking forward to the year ahead incorporating these new insights.”

Students: Become a Medici Scholar. | Supporters: Join the Medici Circle.

At the University of Oregon Summer Conducting Institute, Alex studied with master teachers, David Jacobs and Mark Gibson.

Medici Circle Appreciation

“Thank you to Pamela Becker and Vincent Immordino for your precious contribution to my education. I could not have come this far without your help!”

Medici Circle support allows talented artists and scholars like Alex to pursue an educational summer project beyond the classroom. 

Previously on “Medici Mondays”