Today we’d like to introduce you to Markus Placci.
Markus, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I visited Boston for the first time when as an 18 year old I came to play for Ms Gilels, a renowned violin professor. After this initial 2 week visit, she invited me to come study with her at The Boston Conservatory, with full scholarship. I made it possible with my school in Italy to take advantage of this great opportunity, and I joined her studio the following year. Since then I got a couple of degrees including my Artist Diploma (ADP), and was invited back to give a masterclass right after my graduation, which was followed by an invitation to join the Faculty at the Conservatory. I was 26, and had the fortune to win some competitions in previous years which helped start a performing career, so I was at first unsure what I should do, but the department helped me understand that they would be happy to see me take care of both the teaching and my own playing opportunities, so I thought it was a perfect fit, which would make me grow in both directions. It’s been a great journey so far and I couldn’t be happier. In a week I will conclude my 9th year teaching at the Boston Conservatory, I can’t believe it… these year have been filled with so many rewarding experiences, foremost seeing my students becoming adult individual musicians who love what they do and doing so well in their own careers
Has it been a smooth road?
For me, regarding my teaching path, my biggest transition has been going from student to faculty member in the same institution… In a matter of a year, I was on the other side of things, and it definitely took some adjusting…
Performing wise, every single concert is an opportunity to grow, so there is a sort of struggle which comes with the growth that every performance asks of you… I always say that we have a double sword luck…: our job never ends, we always keep learning and growing, there is no arrival point…which is both a crux and perhaps the greatest luck for a life lived doing what you love.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Boston Conservatory at Berklee is in my opinion a perfect sized institution. The students live their forming years in a place which recognizes their individuality and builds a sense of community which transcends the stereotypical “competition attitude” which is so detrimental for the development of both the individual and the music world in general (we all have a place in this world, and, if coming from a healthy perspective, we all come from a place of loving music, and understanding of the importance of culture and arts in our societies. We have a responsibility to nurture this in the best way we can, as a collective entity). Our students get to be exposed to so many corners of the music world, from the big symphonic repertoire to the solo one, ballet, opera, chamber music and musicals. With the recent merger with Berklee, the possibilities will keep to increase, and virtually become endless. In a music works which is developing and restructuring so quickly, looking for a most malleable and open minded musician, this will be an essential tool for the future artist. Being able to experience so many facets of what music can be while at school is an incredible opportunity. Students get to “live” music from so many angles, 360 degrees, and the experiences help them find their affinities and their place in the music world for the start of their careers.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I would define Boston as a city of “higher purpose”. The countless universities which bring constant innovation for the world make it a worldwide capital of knowledge and understanding of the drive that human beings have to create a better future. In the music world we feel the same, we are always striving to do better, from the single performance, to the way we can connect with audiences and people in general, so I think it is a perfect fit!
Contact Info:
- Address: Boston Conservatory at Berklee
8 The Fenway
Boston 02215 - Website: https://bostonconservatory.berklee.edu/
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