Our Instruments in the Attic program recently connected Shenandoah University international student Gerson Medina with a rare and unique violin donation to assist with his music education.
Earlier this year, we had received a very nice Brandilioni-crafted violin from a generous donor. What made the instrument extra-special was that it had at one time been played by violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz! Through a connection made by Instruments in the Attic advocate (and Potomac board member) Jenna Day of Day Violins, we offered Gerson the opportunity to use the violin for his lessons with Professor Akemi Takayama.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZXxL7kppzc
Gerson is a young artist with an impressive background. He started his violin lessons at the age of 12 at “EL Sistema” in Colon city, Venezuela. He has played as a soloist with the youth orchestra of San Juan de Colon and Merida Symphony Orchestra, and he participated in the 4th Festival of the Venezuelan Youth Orchestra. Gerson was the winner of the 1st prize in the Category “A” of the Violin Competition organized by the “Festival y Academia del Nuevo Mundo” in Maracaibo city. He has studied with the professors Shawn Moore, Alexis Cárdenas, José Francisco del Castillo, Latin-American string quartet, Benjaming Sung, Virginie Robilliad, Yura Lee, Daniel Philips, Vladimir Dyo and Simon Gollo. He was musical teacher at “El Sistema” in Venezuela for 4 years in Colon city. He is currently attending Shenandoah University.