Strings
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying to study at the NSU Violin studio or would like further information please contact the Violin Professor, Dr. Andrej Kurti as soon as you can at kurtia@nsula.edu.
Undergraduate Degrees
Music Performance
Music Education
Music Business
Sacred Music
Minors in Music
Graduate Degrees
Masters in Music Performance
Masters in Music Education
Ensembles
Northwestern – Natchitoches Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Music
Audition Requirements
Undergraduate Programs
- 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles. This can include pieces or studies.
- Some 3 octave major scales and arpeggios (not mandatory)
Please contact the Violin Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!
Graduate Programs
- 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles
Please contact the Violin Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!
Violin Professor: Dr. Andrej Kurti
Internationally acclaimed violinist Andrej Kurti was born in Belgrade, Serbia, where he began his violin studies in the studio of professor Djula Tešenji. He continued his education at the Moscow “Tchaikovsky” Conservatory under professors Levon Ambartsumian and Zorya Schikmurzaeva. Kurti finished his graduate studies at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA, where he received a doctorate degree in violin performance.
He received five first prizes in competitions in Yugoslavia, four first prizes in competitions in Georgia and Florida, and was a finalist of the MTNA (Music Teacher National Association) Competition in 1998.
In 2000, Kurti became a recording artist for classical label Blue Griffin, for which he later recorded Eugene Ysaye‘s Six Sonatas for Violin Solo, Op. 27. American Record Guide wrote: “Kurti is an excellent
violinist and musician, very musical and stylish, and these are some of the better performances of these sonatas that I have heard… you couldn’t go wrong if you had this disc as your only recording of these works,” and Classics Today praised his “near-perfect intonation, assured technique (check out the Third Sonata’s climactic double stops), and intelligent shaping of polyphony.”
In 2015 Kurti took Ysaye’s Opus 27 on the “Road to Carnegie” nation-wide concert tour, culminating with his Carnegie Hall debut.
Kurti’s recording of Paganini’s 24 Caprices was released by Blue Griffin in the fall of 2021 to critical acclaim. Fanfare Magazine wrote: “The famously difficult Paganini Caprices seem to hold few terrors for Kurti. His intonation is impeccable, his double stops are secure, and he has a strong internal rhythmic pulse. Kurti masters all of the challenges brilliantly, and it is the brilliance that impresses throughout.”
In addition to Ysaye and Paganini albums, Kurti’s 2024 release of Bach’s Six Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin completes the trilogy of the most demanding, important and seminal works in the solo violin repertoire, placing him in a select circle of elite violinists who can boast the achievement of recording all three cycles.
In a non-classical music world Kurti appears as performer and arranger on more than fifty albums of popular and modern music released on many different labels in the United States. In November 2019 Kurti participated in a live concert in Nashville, TN where he shared the stage with such Rock & Roll legends as James Burton (Elvis Presley), Dr. Brian May (Queen), Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), Joe Walsh (Eagles), Sammy Hagar (Van Halen), and many others.
Since 2004 Dr. Kurti has been professor of violin at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Parallel to his passionate dedication to teaching and education he remains an active concert violinist, appearing as a soloist with many symphony orchestras as well as in solo and chamber recitals in the United States, Serbia, Montenegro, Georgia, Italy, Greece, Russia, France, Colombia, Spain, Latvia, Canada and South Korea.
“My goal as Professor at NSU is to make sure that every violinist in my studio is made to feel welcome, happy and inspired. I take enormous joy in creating a studio that is supportive and encouraging as well as a studio of individuals who are not afraid of committed practice and hard work. I want every student to reach their full potential and to work towards achieving all of their professional goals whether as a performer, educator or arts administrator. The violin students at NSU are encouraged to work together and learn from each other as well as forming strong and important friendships bonded by our shared love of music”.
– Dr. Andrej Kurti
Dr. Andrej Kurti
Professor of Violin
Northwestern State University
kurtia@nsula.edu
Office: 318 (Old Fine Arts)
The Life of a NSU Violin Player
Weekly one-on-one violin lesson with Andrej Kurti
Participation in NSU Symphony and Chamber Orchestras
Weekly Studio Class
Opportunities to perform in Violin Guest Artist masterclasses and workshops
Tuition Costs
NSU provides ALL students participating in a large ensemble, IN-STATE tuition costs irrelevant of where you are from. Tuition costs are NSU are usually significantly cheaper than almost all other universities. Spring 2024 Tuition costs (before scholarship) can be found at this link: https://stdocproviderdataprod001.blob.core.windows.net/677/FeeSheet-FeeBreakdown-2023-24-rev5-1-23.pdf
Scholarships
ALL violin students participating in NSU ensembles will receive scholarships. Please contact the Violin Professor for further information.
Graduate Assistantships
Each year, NSU offers graduate students the opportunity to apply for an Assistantship. This entitles that student to a $12,000 annual stipend in return for 20 hours of work each week. Please contact the Violin Professor for further information.
If you would like more information, to set up an audition or to have a chat about your future at NSU, please contact Andrej Kurti at: kurtia@nsula.edu
Or even better, come join us on campus and be an honorary NSU Violinist for the day and see for yourself why this violin studio is a great place to be! Contact Dr. Kurti to arrange. You and your family are most welcome!
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying to study at the NSU Viola Studio or would like further information, please contact Sofiko Tchetchelashvili at: sofiko@nsula.edu, or call: 318 357 5796.
Undergraduate Degrees
Music Performance
Music Education
Music Business
Sacred Music
Minors in Music
Graduate Degrees
Masters in Music Performance
Masters in Music Education
Ensembles
Northwestern – Natchitoches
Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Music
Audition Requirements
Undergraduate Programs
- 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles.
- Some 3 octave scales of your choice
Please contact the Viola Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!
Graduate Programs
- 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles.
Please contact the Viola Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!
Viola Professor: Sofiko Tchetchelashvili
Mrs. Sofiko Tchetchelashvili was born in Tbilisi, Georgia, where she began her violin carrier in the studio of professor Alla Laperashvili. She continued her studies in Tbilisi State Conservatory in the studio of professor Ernst Arakelov, and soon after completed her graduate studies in the studio of professor Rodam Jandieri. In 2014, Mrs. Tchetchelashvili accepted graduate assistantship at Baylor University, where she served as a teaching assistant and the concertmaster of the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, before completing another graduate degree in violin performance in the studio of Dr. Eka Gogichashvili. Mrs. Tchetchelashvili was a winner of four National Competitions in Georgia, and became the recipient of two consecutive President’s Awards for the Excellence in Music. Since 2016, Mrs. Tchetchelashvili teaches viola at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Beside her love for teaching, she remains very active solo and chamber concert violist in the United States and abroad.
“The NSU Viola studio has one goal – to make sure that every student feels welcome, inspired and encouraged to be successful. My goal as an educator and a performer is to find the ways how to enhance student’s protentional and talent. I hope to pass along the love and passion for music and the instrument to all of my students.”
-Prof. Sofiko Tchetchelashvili
Sofiko Tchetchelashvili
Adjunct Professor of Viola
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Office: (318) 357-5796
E-mail:sofiko@nsula.edu
The Life of a NSU Violist
Weekly viola lesson
Participation in large ensembles
Weekly Studio Class
Orchestra Excerpt class, upon student’s interest
Opportunities to perform in Guest Artist masterclasses and workshops
Tuition Costs
NSU provides ALL students participating in a large ensemble, IN-STATE tuition costs irrelevant of where you are from. Please check with admissions or the Viola Professor for current tuition costs but this is usually significantly cheaper than almost all other universities. Please check with admissions for current tuition costs.
Scholarships
ALL viola students participating in NSU Symphony Orchestra are eligible for scholarships on the basis that they are enrolled on a full-time basis and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Please contact the Viola Professor for further information.
Graduate Assistantships
Each year, NSU offers graduate students the opportunity to apply for an Assistantship. This entitles that student to a $12,000 annual stipend in return for 20 hours of work each week. Please contact the Viola professor for further information.
If you would like more information, to set up an audition or to have a chat about your future at NSU, please contact Sofiko TchetchelashvilI at:
sofiko@nsula.edu
Or even better, come join us on campus and see for yourself why this Viola studio is a great place to be! Contact Mrs. Tchetchelashvili to arrange a day with NSU Violas for you and your family.
The NSU Cello Studio offers opportunities for development as a performer, artist, and educator. Students participate in lessons, studio class and ensembles. Opportunities for paying professional services are also available in area ensembles for qualified students.
NSU will give you the education, experience and support you need to grow to your full potential.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying to study at the NSU Cello studio or would like further information, please contact Paul Christopher, Associate Professor of Cello at: christopherp@nsula.edu, or call: 318 357 3802
Undergraduate Degrees
Music Performance
Music Education
Music Business
Sacred Music
Minors in Music
Graduate Degrees
Masters in Music Performance
Masters in Music Education
Ensembles
Northwestern – Natchitoches Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Music
Audition Requirements
Undergraduate Programs
- 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles. This can include pieces or studies.
- Some 2 octave major and minor scales
Please contact the Cello Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!
Graduate Programs
- 2 pieces of free choice repertoire showing a variety of styles.
- Major and minor scales and arpeggios
Please contact the Cello Professor ASAP to discuss suitable repertoire to ensure you are the most comfortable and confident!
Paul Christopher is Associate Professor of Low Strings and Music Theory at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the New England Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Memphis.
In the summers he served as Assistant Principal Cello with the Peter Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon. Mr. Christopher has performed guest artist recitals in Arkansas, Florida, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panamá, and South Korea. He has presented and performed at conferences in Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Ohio.
Mr. Christopher’s articles have been published in the Jacques Offenbach Society Newsletter, Strings, American String Teacher, and Bass World. He has appeared on numerous recordings as a member of the Nashville String Machine with artists such as Faith Hill, Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Springsteen, and George Strait. He has also recorded works by contemporary composers including Dinos Constaninides, Don Freund, Niloufar Iravani, Mark Prince Lee, Jeanne Artemis, Jose Gabriel Velazquez, Christian Wolff, as well as seven CDs for the Human Metronome label devoted to the cello music of Jacques Offenbach.
https://www.youtube.com/@paulchristopher2135
“I have been fortunate to have had a career as an orchestral and chamber music performer, studio musician, public school, and university educator. I hope to pass along some of my love of music as well as some of the hard-earned lessons I have learned as a professional. It is important to me to serve as not only a teacher to my students, but more importantly as a mentor and professional role model”.
– Paul Christopher
Paul Christopher, NCTM
Associate Professor of Music Theory and Low Strings
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Office: (318) 357-5802
E-mail: christopherp@nsula.edu
The Life of a NSU Cellist
Weekly one to one cello lesson
Participation in large ensembles
Weekly Studio Class
Weekly Technique Class
Opportunities to perform in Guest Artist masterclasses and workshops
Tuition Costs
NSU provides ALL students participating in a large ensemble, IN-STATE tuition costs irrelevant of where you are from. Tuition costs are NSU are usually significantly cheaper than almost all other universities. Spring 2024 Tuition costs (before scholarship) can be found at HERE.
Please contact the Cello Professor if you would like further information.
Scholarships
ALL cello students participating in large NSU ensembles (marching bands, concert bands and orchestras) are eligible for scholarships on the basis that they are enrolled on a full-time basis and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Please contact the Cello Professor for further information.
Graduate Assistantships
Each year, NSU offers graduate students the opportunity to apply for an Assistantship. This entitles that student to a $12,000 annual stipend in return for 20 hours of work each week. Please contact the Cello Professor for further information.
If you would like more information, to set up an audition or to have a chat about your future at NSU, please contact Paul Christopher at: christopherp@nsula.edu
Or even better, come join us on campus and see for yourself why this cello studio is a great place to be! Contact Mr. Christopher to arrange. You and your family are most welcome!
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