Rotarian Jim Smith introduced Maegan Washburn, Assistant Director of Annual Giving at Chautauqua Institution and Andrew Maxwell, Oberlin Conservatory of Music student and 2024 RCJCSD Scholarship recipient at the Chautauqua Institution Schools of Performing & Visual Arts and Arts Education.
Andrew, 18, is currently pursuing his undergraduate in the Oberlin Conservatory of Music as a student of Sibbi Bernhardsson. He started learning violin at 10 years old with Pasha Tseitlin in San Diego. After moving to Cleveland, he began studying privately with Milan Vitek, a professor at the Oberlin Conservatory. He has participated and placed in multiple competitions in California and Ohio.
In high school, he joined the pre-college chamber program in the Cleveland Institute of Music. He privately studied and performed sonata repertoire with TCO musician Carolyn Warner and was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. He has participated in music festivals such as Encore, Green Mountain, and the Indiana University Summer String Academy.
Besides violin, Andrew is an avid vocalist. He studied voice in the Aurora School of Music during high school, and currently takes lessons with Professor Lefebvre in the Oberlin Conservatory. He has sung in multiple concerts and placed in an Ohio state voice competition. Andrew also loves swimming, cooking and traveling.
Maegan graciously thanked the Rotary Club for contributing $20,000+ in scholarships over the years to students at Chautauqua Institution’s Schools of Performing & Visual Arts and Arts Education.
Andrew delivered three extraordinary performances to a rapt room of Rotarians and guests. His skills belied his young age in execution and skill. Andrew played the fugue from Bach’s 2nd solo violin sonata and the Ballade from Ysave’s solo sonatas.
He ended his last note to an audience who leapt to their feet with a standing ovation of applause and appreciation.
Andrew disclosed he had never visited Chautauqua Institution before applying for the scholarship but is so pleased he was chosen for this experience.
President Marion shared that four polio vaccines would be made in Andrew’s name in appreciation for sharing his performance with our club.
