March 5, 2003

Contact:
Jennifer Meriam, Director (954) 262-5355
Mike Laderman, Associate Director, (954) 262-5354
Mara Kiffin, Coordinator, (954) 262-5350

NSU Hosts Young Japanese Violinists for U.S. Cultural Exchange Program

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—Nova Southeastern University is hosting the second U.S. Cultural Exchange, which will feature performances by nine Japanese violinists, ages 8-18, on Friday, March 28, 7:30 p.m., in the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center of the NSU Library, Research, and Information Technology Center.

The event is free and open to the public.

The children -- two girls and seven boys from Japan's Ishikawa Violin Institute -- will be joined by children musicians who attend the Suzuki Music Academy in Davie, to give presentations and concerts at schools and other venues in South Florida, including University School at NSU. The performance, which is commemorating the 150th anniversary of relations between the U.S., and Japan, is sponsored by Suzuki Music Academy.

Japan's Ishikawa Violin Institute is located in Miyazaki, Japan. Established in 1984, the school of music uses Suzuki's ideas and techniques to train children, as young as 3 years old, to play classical violin. The Ishikawa Violin Institute children musicians perform concerts in Japan and have made several visits South Korea to give performances. Founder and director of the Ishikawa Violin Institute, Satoshi Ishikawa, and violin teacher, Young Chun Kim, will accompany the children for this visit to the U.S.

America's Suzuki Music Academy specializes in the Suzuki method talent education approach, and has provided formal classical music training for children as young as 2 years old. The academy offers Suzuki training in violin, viola, cello, and piano.

For more information about the U.S. Cultural Exchange, please visit the website at http://suzuki-violin.com/2003tour/