Prof. Gérard Poulet from France and Prof. Yoshimi Oshima from the Kyoto City University of Arts (KCUA) helped music students hone their skills in playing the violin and flute, respectively, in separate one-on-one instruction sessions during heir recent visits to TNUA.
Prof. Oshima was delivering to TNUA a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on behalf of his school's president, Prof. Akira Tatehata. TNUA and KCUA signed the MOU for exchange in February.
TNUA President Prof. Yang Chyi Wen said that apart from the current exchange activities between the two sides, TNUA may introduce short-term arts and cultural courses to be taught in Japanese. These courses aim to expand the interactions between the two schools' students and teachers beyond their own fields.
Prof. Oshima, who was on his first visit to TNUA, was impressed by the university's facilities and the professionalism of its students. The flutist also gave a concert at TNUA.
Prof. Poulet last visited TNUA more than two years ago. The renowned violinist this time gave a talk, as well as one-on-one instructions to students on the art of violin playing.
Prof. Poulet noted that while basic skills are important, the right "attitude" is equally important. He stressed that there is no short-cut to perfecting one's art; it is all about practicing, willingness to change and determination.
Son of the conductor Gaston Poulet, the 76-year-old violinist was a child prodigy. He entered the Paris Conservatoire at eleven and won a unanimous First Prize a year later. He went on to win the Premier Grand Prix of the Paganini Competition in Genoa at 18, catapulting him onto the international stage.