Students from Kazakhstan Perform Concert at CELOP

in Student Life
March 31st, 2016

CELOP students, faculty, and staff were treated to a delightful cultural experience when 17 students from the Nazerbayev Intellectual School in Kazakhstan visited to perform a dombra concert. Attired in traditional costumes from their country, the visiting high-schoolers performed a selection of traditional and modern pieces on the dombra, a long-necked, two-string lute that has a 1000-year history.

“The individual players surprised us with their virtuosity, and the sound of all the dombras being played together was just beautiful,” said Kim Beqari, CELOP Admissions Manager, who worked with colleagues from Kazakhstan to bring the group to CELOP.

Before the concert, the Kazakh students observed a CELOP class, and were treated to a delicious lunch at the University’s West Village dining hall.

Students were hosted by many Boston area American families who have adopted children born in Kazakhstan. “We want our kids to have connections with their country of birth”, said Lisa LeRoy, one of the adoptive parents. Jerry Urdang, another adoptive parent, joyfully remarked “the recital was simply remarkable.”

You can see all photos of the event on the CELOP Facebook page.