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It’s a concert to inspire young artists — three siblings who are all accomplished violinists at the ages of 11,13 and 15.

The Hoopes — Anna, Alexandra and Chad — will perform works by Paganini, Kreisler, Dvorák and Mozart in Bermuda next weekend. The siblings have played violin since they were young — Anna since she was five, Alexandra and Chad since they were four. Since then, they have won numerous competitions, both on their own and as a trio. All three study under Sally O’Reilly, who will also be in Bermuda to conduct master classes for young violinists at the Bermuda School of Music.

David France, violin teacher at the School of Music, first came up with the idea of master classes for young musicians while teaching at a music school in Minnesota.

When he moved to Bermuda to teach music, he — and the Bermuda School of Music — brought the idea to fruition. He said that the idea of bringing some of the teacher’s students along should further motivate young violinists, as they can then see the results of O’Reilly’s teaching.

“[The Hoopes siblings] are self motivated,” France said. “They are very balanced and very nice kids.

“This will be a good precursor to the Bermuda Festival. Usually when people go to concerts of famous classical musicians, they see them when they’re older and in their prime. You don’t really know what they would have sounded like when they were 13. What does someone who is forty and doing extremely well sound like at 13? You might be surprised that they sound better than you think. This is a good way to see behind the scenes into the creation — the genesis – of a musician.”

O’Reilly, according to France, is very honest and very “to the point”. He should know, as he studied under her for three years before coming to Bermuda as a violin teacher for the Bermuda School of Music. While here, she will conduct three master classes with six students in each class.

The Young Artist Concert takes place at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on January 14 at 7pm. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students under 18 and are available from the Bermuda School of Music, Pulp and Circumstance and The Music Box.[[In-content Ad]]

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