Faculty Friday with Stephen Czarkowski
Introducing: Conductor Stephen Czarkowski!
Happy Faculty Friday, everyone! Each Friday we will feature one of our many amazing faculty members at Luzerne Music Center. We asked all of our instructors to tell us a little bit about themselves, and to share their favorite things about LMC.
Luzerne Music Center has an extremely vibrant youth orchestra, and needs conductors who are equally as vibrant. That is where Stephen Czarkowski comes into play: our new senior session conductor. To give everyone an opportunity to learn more about our new faculty member, we decided to ask Stephen a few questions.
How did you first hear about LMC?
My dear friend Maxim invited me to conduct the Gala concert several years ago and then I was invited to conduct the final weekend of concerts. I had a great time with the students and faculty!
What areas of LMC's mission statement really resonate or align with your own?
Making music at the highest possible level is of the utmost importance to me. I strive for excellence from all of my orchestras I conduct.
Besides practice, what is the number one piece of advice that you would give to aspiring young musicians?
Learn everything you can about the piece you are playing; the history, the background, theory, different performance interpretations etc... Study with as many different teachers as possible, get new perspectives and ideas!
What was the most meaningful music learning experience you had as an adolescent?
I had the honor of seeing Leonard Bernstein lead a rehearsal of Mahler 3rd Symphony with the New York Philharmonic when I was eleven years old. It was the most incredible sound I ever heard! From that moment on I was hooked on classical music and Mahler!
Other than classical music, what are some bands or musicians that you enjoy listening to?
I love listening to Jazz and Rock and Roll. Some of my favorites groups include U2 and The Beatles. I played in a music video with Rascal Flats and had a great time!
When you're not conducting or playing cello, what might we find you doing?
One of my biggest joys is working out, I usually go to the gym before work at 8am and swim at night time. Fitness is very important to me as I just finished running a 10k last weekend across the Bay Bridge and will start training for a half marathon in NYC in March 2018.
Snack-wise, salty or sweet?
Always love Salty snacks!! Don't get me started on chocolate chip cookies!!
If you would like to learn more about Stephen, check out our faculty bio page!
