Bonds of Friendship

Flute instructor Claudio Montafia and oboe instructor Marco Ambrosini have more in common than just being on the AYO faculty this year. Both teach woodwind instruments, both joined the AYO for the first time, and both hail from Italy.

Sitting down with Mr. Montafia outside of the concert hall at the Rehearsal Camp, I asked him what his overall impression of the AYO was to date.

"The first few days of Rehearsal Camp where everyone was getting to know each other was really special," he says. "This is a great experience with a group of very professional young musicians. From the beginning until now there has been such a huge improvement in their playing. To learn to understand the music, to grow, and to build so many friendships is indispensable. The relationships between musicians are vital."

A few hours later, I caught up with Mr. Ambosini while he was making reeds for his oboe. I asked what he thought was the biggest challenge of teaching at the AYO.

With a smile and a chuckle, he answers. "Definitely language is the greatest challenge. We all speak different languages so communicating ideas is often difficult. We must overcome these language barriers and quickly because time is limited. We are all learning here. While young, the orchestra members are truly professional, focused on their art. They are very serious and this experience, for both the students and for myself is one-of-a-kind. To travel is so important and I will take what I teach and learn here back to my students in Italy."

Mr. Montafia and Mr. Ambrosini also have more in common than they themselves may know. To a question on what their favourite music was, both answered that it was Austrian composer Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D Major. They explained the work was filled with emotion, feelings, and magic.