CFA: Tell us about your role in this music initiative.

Jerome: As a coordinator, I am in charge of getting people together each Friday. I acknowledge the weeks when most participants are busy and work to gain new members through outreach amongst the School of Music and College of Fine Arts community.

Cheryn: I volunteered to perform collaborative piano works at the GSU as part of a campus-wide initiative that brings live music into shared spaces. My role was to participate in a short program, prepare it, and share it with students and staff in a relaxed, informal environment. It was an opportunity to bring classical music outside the concert hall and connect with the broader BU community.

Weilin: I am a pianist and a piano teacher, teaching both group and private lessons. My main responsibility is to share the beauty and joy that I have experienced through my own journey with my students, while helping students develop their love for the piano.

CFA: How did this initiative come to life?

Jerome: I first reached out to Michael Reynolds, Professor, Cello, who gave me his full, undivided support. He even tuned the piano. I then garnered support amongst my friends and peers and found a convenient time for a concentrated concert. The rest was up to my amazing colleagues. I thank Professor Reynolds and the Opera Institute for their support during Opera Season to help kickstart our initiative.

CFA: What are some highlights of performing weekly at the GSU?

Cheryn: The performance reminded me how powerful music can be in everyday spaces. Several students stopped to listen, and later I heard applause. It felt meaningful to see how live music could lift people’s mood and create connection, even in a busy place like the student union.

Hsing-Ho: I have performed both as a solo pianist and as an accompanist for other performers at weekly GSU concerts. Through these experiences, I have successfully prepared and presented new repertoire in public settings, honed my solo performance and collaborative skills, and learned to adapt quickly to different performance contexts.

Having the opportunity to perform in a public setting like GSU was invaluable. It allowed me to practice performing in front of an audience in a low-pressure environment, which helped me understand my strengths and areas for improvement. 

Weilin: Seeing my students perform with joy and confidence, sharing their music with the community.

Carlo: The GSU concert series is a great way for us to share our work with the rest of the University and a great way for performers to gain some experience. I’m incredibly grateful to Jerome for starting this, and I look forward to playing more at the GSU in the future.

CFA: How does the coursework at CFA connect with this experience?

Jerome: From learning about Schubert and Fanny Mendelssohn’s chamber concerts, I realize the value in making similar motions here at BU to cultivate art.

Cheryn: The performance training and guidance I receive from my professors helped me develop the confidence and artistry to perform in different contexts. CFA has given me a strong technical and musical foundation, which allows me to share music beyond traditional recital settings. My lessons and coursework at CFA emphasize communication through music, personal meaning in sound, and sharing that with others. That philosophy connected directly to this experience, where the goal wasn’t formality or perfection, but emotional connection and accessibility.

Weilin: The resources and mentorship from the Keyboard Department at BU School of Music provided a strong foundation for my teaching and musicianship, helping me grow as both a performer and educator. Many of the coursework connects with this experience, including Piano Pedagogy, Theory, Piano Literature, and Applied Lessons.

Hsing-Ho: Courses that emphasized sight-reading, accompaniment, and quick adaptation were especially helpful when performing with other musicians on short notice.