The Graduate Instrumental Arts Program, a Master of Music in Instrumental Studies, combines academic and practical studies of music, with a strong emphasis on music as a means of engaging with, and serving, the broader community beyond the campus. Through this degree program, students develop the core values of music and musicians in service of society.
Frank Corliss
Director and Faculty, Bard College Conservatory of Music
"The Instrumental Arts Program aims not only to deepen student's musical and instrumental skills but also to broaden their understanding of the role of music in civil society, and to develop their ability to connect with—and serve—the larger community through their art."
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Esteban Ganem '24Esteban Ganem '24
What is your current year of study?
Second Year
What is your primary instrument?
I play percussion!
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
I am currently studying with Eric Cha-Beach, Jason Treuting, and Jason Haaheim.
Where is your hometown?
I am from the Houston, Texas area.
Where did you study before Bard College?
I studied music education at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
What did you do this past summer?
I learned some music and I taught high school percussion.
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
My main reason for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard was the really great faculty here. As a percussionist with a new music and chamber music focus, getting to study with and be mentored by Jason Treuting and Eric Cha-Beach felt like a great opportunity. There was also something exciting about getting to be a part of the first Master's class here at Bard. I have really enjoyed the program so far and the flexibility to guide my study towards my interests as well.
What were the last three things you listened to?
Quiet the Room, Skullcrusher; The Mortal Coil, Polaris; Bathymetry, Matt McBane and Sandbox Percussion -
Maya Yokanovich '24Maya Yokanovich '24
What is your current year of study?
It is my second year in the masters program.
What is your primary instrument?
Clarinet
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
David Krakauer and Pascual Martínez-Forteza
Where is your hometown?
Stillwater, Minnesota
Where did you study before Bard College?
University of Minnesota School of Music
What did you do this past summer?
I taught private clarinet lessons and I was a waitress
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
The wonderful teachers were my initial draw to the school. Upon my first visit to Bard, the beautiful facilities and scenery captured my heart. I am so grateful to study at a place like Bard Conservatory.
What were the last three things you listened to?
Arensky Piano Trío no.1 in D; Chopin, Prelude No.17 in Ab; Borodin, In the Steppes of Central Asia (Eine Steppenskizze aus Mittelasien) -
Yuchen Zhao '24Yuchen Zhao '24
What is your current year of study?
Second year
What is your primary instrument?
Violin
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
Erica Kiesewetter
Where is your hometown?
Shandong Province, China.
Where did you study before Bard College?
Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, China
What did you do this past summer?
Applied for a Visa, practiced, gave some concerts in China, and visited my former teachers in China.
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
For the abundant performance opportunities here, my professor Erica Kiesewetter, and for the many possibilities in the newly opened program!
What were the last three things you listened to?
Brahms Violin Concerto, Beethoven Triple Concerto, and Brahms Double Concerto -
Francis Huang '25Francis Huang '25
What is your current year of study?
First year
What is your primary instrument?
Piano
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
Rieko Aizawa
Where is your hometown?
Yilan, Taiwan
Where did you study before Bard College?
I did the five-year double degree undergraduate program at Bard.
What did you do this past summer?
I went back to Taiwan to visit my family, last time I was there it was three years ago.
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
As an alumnus spent my past five years at Bard, I decided to stay for two more years not only because they have amazing faculty, but also because the Bard Conservatory is such a loving and caring place, as an international student I truly felt welcome and accepted at Bard.
What were the last three things you listened to?
1. Some Beethoven string quartets by Belcea Quartet, the complete string quartet album released in 2012
2. Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, and Leonidas Kavakos Trio album, released this year or last year, they played the Pastorale Symphony arranged by my former instructor Shai Wosner.
3. A random jazz album “Bewitched” by someone called Laufey, I listened to it while working and found it quite relaxing. -
Tori Conner '25Tori Conner '25
What is your current year of study?
First Year
What is your primary instrument?
Oboe
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
Elaine Douvas, Ryan Roberts, and Alexandra Knoll
Where is your hometown?
Katy, Texas
Where did you study before Bard College?
Louisiana State University
What did you do this past summer?
I went to the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival and the Mostly Modern Festival. I also was the Program Coordinator for the Seven Hills Chamber Music Festival.
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
The main reasons why I decided to go to Bard were due to the amazing Oboe faculty, beautiful campus, and top-quality orchestra program.
What were the last three things you listened to?
Beethoven Symphony No.6, Sibelius Symphony No.2, and Taylor Swift -
Luca Sakon '25Luca Sakon '25
What is your current year of study?
First Year
What is your primary instrument?
Violin
Who is your current instrumental instructor(s)?
Mira Wang
Where is your hometown?
New York City
Where did you study before Bard College?
Barnard College (and the cross-exchange program with Manhattan School of Music)
What were your main reasons for choosing to attend the Graduate Instrumental Arts Program at Bard?
Mira Wang introduced me to this program, and I was drawn to the program’s focus on performance and engaging with communities through music. I’ve already met wonderful people during my first few weeks here and I appreciate the emphasis on practical studies in the coursework as well as the openness toward various opportunities. I am looking forward to the rest of my time in the program.
What were the last three things you listened to?
Bartok Concerto for Orchestra, Brahms Violin Concerto, Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 1
