Maestro RUGGIERO RICCI, VIOLINIST.   (1918-2012)

With over 500 recordings on every major recording label, legendary violinist Ruggiero Ricci who just passed away August 6th, 2012 at the age of 94, was one of the world's best known artist. During his 70-year solo career, Mr. Ricci has performed over 6000 concerts in 75 countries and has played with all major orchestras in the world. He was the first violinist to ever record the Paganini Caprices. A child prodigy, Maestro Ricci started his career at the age of 12 with the New York Philharmonic in Carnegie Hall and went on to do many world tours. His 50 year career was celebrated with a recital in Carnegie Hall with pianist Martha Argerich. (The recording of that concert is on the London Label). Mr. Ricci taught at the Juillard School, the Indiana School of Music, and the University of Michigan. (www.ruggieroricci.com, or on youtube.)


{My lessons with Maestro Ricci twice a week for two years were at first nerve wracking to say the least, but his kindness and his great sense of humor helped me relax after a while. Besides a new approach to violin playing, he also introduced me to a new technique and style, and a very precise interpretation of the standard violin repertoire. The numerous hours talking about music and "the fiddle" as he called it at his house where precious moments that remain important to me to this day.}


ROBERT DAN, violist.

Robert Dan graduated from the Juillard School of Music and made his recital debut in 1978 at Alice Tully Hall.  He was a member of the New World String Quartet for 18 years and has made numerous recordings with them. Mr. Dan was artist in residence at Harvard University. He was a member of the Theater Chamber Players of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and was on the faculty at Michigan State University for 19 years. Robert Dan has recorded for Centaur,CRI and Musical Heritage Society.

{Mr. Dan's teaching style was very different from Maestro Ricci's. His approach was based more on psychology than on the instrument or music itself. He has inspired me to be a teacher and I use many of his teaching techniques to date. }


ALAIN JACQUON, Pianist, (and yes, my brother).

Alain entered the Paris Conservatory of Music at the age of 13. He received his First Prize in piano at 16 and went on to receive seven First prizes in different categories: Chamber Music, Harmony, Counterpoint, Orchestration, Fugue and Accompaniment. This accomplishment made him one of only three students to ever achieve this. Alain was the only one to receive five International Prizes, including the prestigious "Marguerite Long, Jacques Thibault International piano Competition".  Second Prize in the "Pretoria International Competition" and Grand Prize winner at the Viotti and Pozzoli International Competitions, all of this before the age of 24.  He became the youngest Director of a music conservatory in France at the age of 26.

Alain performs internationally as a soloist, conductor, chamber musician or orchestral guest artist. He has played in some of the world's leading festivals and music series.

In 2001, he was invited as a member of the jury for the Marguerite Long International competition. His recordings have won the "Grand Prix Academy Charles Cros" and the
"Diapason d'or".  Alain has made his American Debut at the Newport Festival in 1994 and has been re-invited to play in the US every year since. He was the Adjunct Director of the Paris Superior Conservatory for 10 years and is now the Director of the Lyon Music Conservatory. (C.N.R).

If you would like to know more about Alain, please visit his website at
www.alain-jacquon.com . You can also see him on youtube in a recital held last year in Seoul, South Korea.

Violin lessons in Honolulu, Hawaii