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ANNA BLACK What have you taken away from a McDuffie Center education? What are its distinct advantages? If I could sum up my McDuffie Center education in one word, it would be collaboration. The size of the Center and the way it's structured allow for very close-knit relationships, whether those are between students and teachers or between peers. I learned how much getting outside myself helps my music making. I learned how to listen to my own playing and to all other playing with compassion, intent, and openness. In terms of advantages that the Center provides, I can't think of any other institution where every student knows and supports every single other student; the size of the Center allows for this, but it's also an attitude that is fostered. The classical music world is not always a nurturing one, but despite that, the McDuffie Center continues to be a nurturing place and allowed me to cultivate an attitude toward my colleagues and my profession that I'm not sure I would have otherwise. What accomplishment/ performance have you been most proud of since leaving the Center, and why? In September 2022 I was able to win an audition for a full-time job with the North Carolina Symphony as their assistant concertmaster. Being in a full-time orchestra has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and I feel so lucky to have achieved that goal, much to the credit of my wonderful McDuffie Center teachers. What kind of challenges are you focusing on with your artistic growth in the near future? That is, what's up next for you and what are you thinking about working on? Right now, I'm learning how to function in a professional orchestra! I just finished my graduate degree in May and I've only been playing with North Carolina Symphony for a month at this point, so I still have so much to learn about orchestra playing and about the industry. Very specifically, though, I'm working on being smarter with the bowings and fingerings I choose to use, and thinking those through enough to use the best option, not just the first option that comes to mind. There's always more to do and that's one of the things I love about this profession! SIHAO HE What have you taken away from a McDuffie Center education? What are its distinct advantages? As a cellist, the focused and intensive training I received from two exceptional cello teachers, Ms. Julie Albers and Prof. Hans Jørgen Jensen, has been nothing short of inspiring. Their guidance and expertise have not only refined my technical abilities but have also nurtured my artistic sensibilities, enabling me to evolve as a well-rounded cellist. One of the distinctive advantages of the McDuffie Center lies in its unique and intimate size. The unparalleled accessibility and genuine care demonstrated by every faculty member have truly set the McDuffie Center apart from other music schools. Their unwavering support and willingness to go above and beyond to assist students have created an environment that is nurturing, collaborative, and exceptionally conducive to growth. Another significant advantage of the McDuffie Center is its thoughtfully designed curriculum. Mr. McDuffie's belief in equipping musicians with not just exceptional instrumental skills, but also the ability to effectively promote themselves, has shaped the curriculum. In addition to traditional classes like music theory and history, the inclusion of innovative courses such as management in music and career development has been a game- SUBMITTED PHOTOS 64 maconmagazine.com | JUNE/JULY 2023