The Eastman Departmental Diversity Initiative will host a residency by Mieko Kanno, a noted violin virtuoso and expert on contemporary Western art music. 
In addition to conducting a master class and speaking at a Music Theory Department colloquium, Kanno will give an address on “Quiet is Beautiful: The Aesthetics of Softness Today.” Exploring soft sound and soft playing in the practice of music making today, she will discuss how the softness puts the listener at the heart of perception, what kinds of softness we have, how it is articulated and communicated, and how it changes sensibilities.
Kanno serves as Professor of Artistic Doctoral Studies at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. She is an active researcher on the performance of contemporary music and has held residencies at institutions worldwide.
As a performer, Kanno first came to international attention as a prize winner in international competitions such as the Carl Flesch, Queen Elisabeth, and Hannover. She has collaborated with many composers, commissioning and premiering new works, and has established herself as one of the leading exponents of contemporary music. Kanno has performed in many festivals in Europe and her performances have been widely broadcast.
The full schedule of events during Kanno’s residency is:
– Tuesday, April 4, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Hatch Recital Hall: Public presentation on “Quiet is Beautiful: The Aesthetics of Softness Today”
– Thursday, April 6, from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. in Ciminelli Lounge, Eastman Commons: Violin master class hosted by Associate Professor of Violin Renée Jolles
– Friday, April 7, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Room 305, Eastman School’s Main Building: Theory colloquium, “Performance as Research Method”
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