As part of the Academy's initiative to foster and promote international collaboration, Academy musicians had the opportunity to perform at a series of classical performances hosted by The Frick Collection, home to art from the Renaissance to the late nineteenth century. This series was made possible thanks to generous support from Alexis Gregory Foundation.

Three Academy composers composed new pieces inspired by central works in the Frick's collection:

  • Undergraduate student Laila Arafah's work engaged with the narrative mystery of Vermeer's Girl Interrupted at Her Music
  • Doctoral student Shin Kim responded to Whistler's atmospheric Symphony in Grey and Green: The Ocean.
  • Ruben Doda composed a piece inspired by Goya's late masterpiece The Forge.

'Witnessing Goya's The Forge at The Frick Collection gave me a new perspective on the work, and enriched my perception of it with new depth. Working with great musicians such as Seth and Jason, created a unique aesthetic synergy.'

Ruben Doda

'Hearing my composition performed in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Auditorium was incredibly insightful, and it made the connection between visual art and music feel especially vivid and evocative.'

Laila Arafah

'It was a fantastic experience for me to witness my composition, written based on inspiration from an artwork, being performed at The Frick Collection, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful venues in New York.'

Shin Kim

These new pieces were performed by fellow Academy students Seth Schultheis, Efrem Workman, Adriana Bec and Alex Lavine, as well as alumni Jason Ma, Basil Alter, Ariel Lanyi and George Fu.

‘This trip was about experiencing new places, new audiences and new opportunities as a musician. I’m really grateful for it and looking forward to what's next.’

Efrem Workman

The Academy were one of only two conservatoires, along with The Juilliard School, who were invited to partner on this series of lunchtime concerts. The Academy’s commitment to international collaboration continues later this summer with performances at the Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and BBC Proms, alongside The Juilliard School. An orchestra comprised of 46 students from each conservatoire will come together to perform under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen and with solo violinist Vilde Frang.

This term also sees two Academy strings students travelling to The Glenn Gould School in Toronto for a week-long project with the conservatoire’s symphony orchestra, as part of the Sir Elton John Global Exchange Programme.

The Academy looks forward to continuing international partnerships such as these, which help talented young artists expand their musical horizons and share their work and culture with others around the world.