Clavinova Hits a Chord with Interlochen

With Interlochen's desire to showcase the very finest, it is only fitting that the school provides its students with three Yamaha Clavinova labs, provided through a loan-and-sell program by Kurtz Music and Sound of Traverse City, MI. Kurtz recently provided 59 Clavinova units for the school's summer Arts Camp, with models ranging from the CLP311 through CLP611 to the CVP59, 69 and 79.

"The Clavinova models are superb and have the touch of an acoustic piano," said Bill Kurtz, owner of Kurtz Music and Sound. "I think their quality really surprised the faculty at first. With the progression of time, however, Interlochen has become well aware of the quality of the Clavinova digital piano."

During the summer Arts Camp, Interlochen's Clavinova labs are also used by the University of Michigan for its All-State Program.

For four weeks, musically inclined children and high schoolers planning musical careers are given piano instruction by University faculty. The University also has three of its own Clavinova labs used by its students and in a University sponsored program for youngsters.

As the premier training center for young musicians, dancers, actors, visual artists and writers, Interlochen attracts students from all 50 states and as many as 30 countries throughout the year.

The 35-year old Arts Academy offers a high school education that balances intense academics with creativity. Interlochen alumni include Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary; Jessye Norman, and "60 Minutes" broadcaster Mike Wallace.

"Yamaha is thrilled to be associated with this extraordinary center for music and arts education," said Jim Lynch of Yamaha. Along with Kurtz,

Students at the internationally-acclaimed
Interlochen Center for the Arts practice
on Clavinova CLP300 electronic keyboards

Lynch was one of the initiators of the Yamaha-Interlochen relationship. "Our relationship continues to strengthen throughout the years and much of that is attributed to the quality of the Clavinova digital piano," he added.

Peggy Pascal, Chairman of Class Piano at Interlochen Arts Camp, is highly familiar with Clavinova quality. The owner of five Clavinova models at her private studio in Winnetka, IL, she teaches children and adults with them. "It is a fabulous teaching instrument," she said. "The Clavinova enhances students listening skills and ability to play duets. The rhythm accompaniments are better than a metronome and the different timbres allow easily distracted children to stay focused while still practicing their skills." Pascal also finds the two-track recording feature useful in enabling students to perform music written for more than one piano.

The extent of the Clavinova lab popularity at Interlochen is not limited to the Camp. For the last ten years, the Interlochen Academy has offered a permanent lab for its students.