1 B.A., M.Mus. 6550 El Colegio Rd, Ap.5222 Santa Barbara, CA 93106 Tel: 805 689 7508 E-mail: besnikyzeiri@umai.ucsb.edu EDUCATION University of California Santa Barbara, Doctor of Musical Arts in Viola Performance Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan Doctor of Musical Arts in Viola Performance Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, Master of Music, Viola Performance, 2015 Orchestra Studies, Vicenza, Italy, Graduate Certificate in Orchestra Studies, 1997 Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi, Milan, Italy, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Viola Performance, 1996 Academy of Arts, Tirana, Albania, Bachelor of Music, Viola Performance, 1993 Prenke Jakova, Shkoder, Albania, High School Diploma, Viola Performance, 1989 PROFESSORS Jonathan Moerschel, University of California Santa Barbara, 2017 Viola Professor Yuri Gandelsman, Michigan State University, 2015 Viola Professor James Van Valkenburg, Wayne State University, 2013-2015 Assistant Principal Viola, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Danilo Rossi, Orchestra Studies, Vicenza, Italy, 1996-1997 Principal Viola, La Scala, Milano, Italy Gian Paolo Guatteri, Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi, Milano, Italy, 1993-1996 Principal Viola, Lugano Symphony Orchestra, Lugano, Switzerland Renato Riccio, Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi, Milano, Italy, 1993 Principal Viola,RAI Radio Television Italian Orchestra Gjergj Pekmezi, Academy of Arts, Tirana, Albania, 1989-1993 Principal Viola, Radio Television Orchestra, Tirana, Albania Ilo Kanani, Shkolla Prenke Jakova, Shkoder, Albania, 1985-1989 Principal Viola, Philharmonic Orchestra of Shkoder
2 SOLO & CHAMBER MUSIC CD Launch, Solo Performance, Passion, October 2015 Wayne State University, 44 th Annual Student Composers Concert, Solo Performance, Day at the Bazaar, April 2015 Wayne State University, Trio Performance, Wayne State CFPCA Inauguration Concert, April 2014 Wayne State University, Jazz Quintet Performance, All of Me, April 2014 Wayne State University, String Quintet Potpuri, December 2013 Art Gallery of Windsor, Trio Performance, Trio, July 2011 Ministry of Cultures and Arts, Solo Performance, Shkoder Albania, March 2011 Central United Church, Trio Performance, January 2010 Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Duet Performance, Mozart Third Movement of Sinfonia Concertante, 2009 Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Canadian Music Festival, World premiere From Higher Ground, Trio Performance, 2009 Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Soloist, 3 rd Movement, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by Pjeter Gaci, 2007 Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Quartet Performance, July 2007 An Evening of Music and Song, Three of a Kind Trio, June 2003 Windsor Symphony Orchestra, World Premiere of Potpuri for String Orchestra, 2003 Guido Cantelli Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Music World performances, 1994-1997 ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCES Section Viola, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit, Michigan, 2016 Section Viola, Detroit Civic Symphony Orchestra, Detroit, Michigan, 2013 Section Viola, Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, Dearborn, Michigan, 2013 Section Viola, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2011 Section Violin, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Windsor, Ontario, 2006-2010 Section Viola, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Windsor, Ontario, 2006-2011 Assistant Principal Viola, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Windsor, Ontario, 2001-2006 Section Viola, Mississauga Opera Company, Mississauga, Ontario, 2000 Section Viola, Orchestra London, London, Ontario, 1999-2000 Section Viola, National Academy Orchestra, Hamilton, Ontario, 1999 Section Viola, Theater La Scala Milan, Italy, 1996 Section Viola, Salzburg Festival, Salzburg, Austria, 1995-1996 Section Viola, Chamber Orchestra Guido Cantelli, Milan, Italy, 1994-1997 Section Viola, Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra, Milan, Italy, 1993-1994 Section Viola, Albanian Radio and Television Orchestra, Tirana, Albania, 1989-1992
3 PUBLIC RELATIONS, MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION Recruiting project for Albanian students, April 2016-To Present Create and design the project for Albanian String students Work closely with Dr. Roelofs to make sure of its success Present my proposals to Music Highs Schools in Albania. Design seminars of Q&A with different groups of students to understand their expectation and responsibilities. Explain the specifics of application process Assist with orientation, budget, and the audition program. International School of Music, 2003- To Present Lead the budget and marketing process for the past 14 years Work closely with other teachers to maintaining high standards Coordinate and lead the strings program. Work closely with the donors and sponsors in all the concerts at ISM and other venues Design and supervise the preparation of music programs, as well as coordinate creation of flyers, brochures In charge of the yearly brochures for the competitions created by ISM Create accreditations for the students with the highest achievements, as well as maintain reports and backup documents for marketing and promotion programs. In charge of all receptions organized by ISM for students as well as guests artists, and sponsors. Wayne State Strings Project, 2013-2014 Work closely with the young students and their guardians to ensure participation and progression Ascertain that the students had the appropriate material for recitals and concerts Assist in coordinating concert schedules, lesson schedules as well as recital schedules. Henryk Uziel, ISM Competitions and Kiwanis Music Festival Develop and coordinate Public relations Maintain a close relationship with donors and sponsors Administer all the program materials while working closely with accompanists, music staff members, and students to ascertain a successful participation Lead the budget, promotion and marketing processes Successfully organized for the winners of the Henryk Uziel and ISM competitions to perform with Windsor Symphony Orchestra in selected series.
4 Sainte Cecile Private Music School Worked closely with the head of the string department in coordinating and developing new marketing and promotion programs Prepare and maintain the concert calendars for the whole academic year Work closely with the other teachers in creating new ensembles where the students could learn and engage in a cultural setting Arrange post recitals or concerts events for students, donors, sponsors, parents, academics, and colleagues. TEACHING Coaching Viola Section, Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra, Detroit, Michigan, since 2014 Successfully prepare viola section members for upcoming performances Developed and worked on techniques for different musical passages Viola Teacher for Strings Project, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 2013-2014 Taught weekly individual and group lessons to viola students Successfully prepare students for on-going and future auditions Developed syllabus clearly defining performance and practice expectations Successfully developed lesson plans and taught Music Theory Violin/Viola Teacher- President, International School of Music, Windsor, Ontario, 2003-Present Developed syllabus and defined performance expectation as well as practice methods for students of different age groups Successfully prepare students for auditions and competitions within and outside the school Coached different group of students for chamber music ensembles Organized semi-annual required school recitals Successfully develop personalized repertoire to meet individual student s goals Developed lesson plans based on provided curriculum and taught Music Theory on different level classes in preparation for RCM proficiency exams. Worked closely with the Controller of the school on all its policies, procedures, and general administration. Lead the group of dedicated teachers, oversee the different curriculums used for different classes, and its developments. Violin/Viola Teacher, Academy Sainte-Cecile, Windsor, Ontario, 2000-2003 Successfully prepare students for group ensemble performances Introduced and coached chamber music program to students on their early stages Coached RCM Level 7,8 students for chamber music ensembles
5 Developed syllabus and defined performance expectation as well as practice methods for students of different groups and ages Successfully prepare students for auditions and competitions Adjudicator to the yearly in-school competition Developed lesson plans based on curriculum and taught Music Theory for RCM proficiency exams String Ensemble Coach, Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra, Windsor, Ontario, 2004-2011 Coached different string sections monthly Successfully prepare section members for performances Developed and worked on different techniques for difficult musical passages RECORDINGS Passion, First Album, Composer and Performer of ten original melodies, 2015 Carry Me Home, Co-Writer and Performer, 2015 Andrea, CBC Searchlight Competition, Semi-finalist, Composer and Performer, 2014 Longing, CBC Searchlight Competition, Semi-finalist, Composer and Performer 2013 1812, Same Latitude As Rome, Co-Writer and Performer, 2012 Sosta, Riggi Media International Cooperation, Performer, 2011 The Faeire Quinn and Other Stories, Same Latitude As Rome, Performer, 2010 Peter and the Wolf, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Performer, 2006 Last Minute Lulu, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Performer, 2006 CBC s Opening Night, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Performer, 2003 AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS Recipient, MSU Music Scholarship, Michigan State University, 2015 Recipient, Honors Roll- MM degree at WSU, Wayne State University, 2015 Recipient, Mark Otis Endowed Scholarship, Wayne State University, 2014-2015 Recipient, Evangeline Dumesnil Music Scholarship, Wayne State University, 2013-2015 Betty Webster Award, Orchestras Canada, Windsor, Ontario, 2008 Juno Award Nominee, Government of Canada, Best Children s Recordings, 2008 Juno Award Nominee, Government of Canada; Radio Starmakers Fund; Canada s Private Radio Broadcasters, Windsor, Ontario, 2008 Recipient of Vida Peene Fund, Conseil des arts de l Ontario, Windsor, Ontario, 2007 Gold Medal, New York Festivals Awards for Televisions and New Media, Windsor, Ontario, 2004 Gemini Award on CBC s Opening Night, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, Windsor, Ontario, 2004 Lieutenant Governor s Awards for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council Foundation, Windsor, Ontario 2003 Lieutenant Governor s Awards for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council Foundation, Windsor, Ontario 2001
6 COMMUNITY FESTIVALS & EVENTS Flowers Day in Shkodra, Albania, Special Guest Appearance, May 2016 Greek Orthodox Community of Windsor, Carousel of Nations, Special Guest Appearance, June 2015 Apovini, Albanian Community Event, January 2015 Christmas Eve Service, Gilead Baptist Church of Taylor, December 2014 Kingsville Folk Music Festival, August 2014 Greek Orthodox Community of Windsor, Carousel of Nations, Special Guest Appearance, June 2014 Wayne State University, Strings Project at Wayne Music Department Community Strings Program, Viola Teacher, 2013-2014 Windsor s Blues Festival, Performer with Same Latitude As Rome, July 2013 All Saints Community Summer Music Camp, Coaching and Performance, 2012-2013 Italian Village, Carousel of Nations, Special Guest Appearance, June 2012 Celebrating 50 Years, Prenke Jakova Music High School, Solo Performance, March 2011 Central United Church, Trio Performance, January 2010 Windsor Canadian Music Festival, World premiere From Higher Ground, Trio Performance, 2009 Henryk Uziel Violin and ISM Piano competitions, Creator, Organizer, and Artistic Director of competitions for Young Musicians in the Windsor Essex County Community, 2004-2006 Maiden Lane Festival, -Trio, August 2006 Guido Cantelli Chamber Orchestra, Multiple Appearances at different European Music Festivals, 1994-1997 Salzburg Festival, Salzburg, Austria Gent Festival, Gent, Belgium Monaco Festival, Monaco, Monte Carlo Lugano Festival, Lugano, Switzerland Prague String Festival, Prague, Czech Republic Florence Chamber Music Festival, Florence, Italy Palermo Music Festival, Palermo, Italy LANGUAGE SKILLS Italian, Full professional proficiency Albanian, Full professional proficiency Russian, Limited professional proficiency Serbo-Croatian, Limited professional proficiency French, Basic professional proficiency Spanish, Basic professional proficiency