Ｎｕｒｔｕｒｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　Ｓｅｅｄｓ　ｏｆ　Ｍｕｓｉｃａｌ　Ｔａｌｅｎｔ.docVIP

Ｎｕｒｔｕｒｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　Ｓｅｅｄｓ　ｏｆ　Ｍｕｓｉｃａｌ　Ｔａｌｅｎｔ 　　ALTHOUGH auditions kick off at 9am and don’t finish until 6:30 in the evening, students from the Middle School affiliated with Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music maintain their enthusiasm and energy all day. Bright-eyed and fashionable, they look much the same as other youngsters their age. But when you hear the emotion that pours out as they play, you begin to understand these are talented people. Paul Dornian, director of Canada’s Mount Royal Conservatory and the initiator of the Morningside Music Bridge (MMB) scheme, attends the auditions as a judge, but acts more like a kindly father. He eases the students’ anxiety and coaxes the very best out of them. 　　 Paul has come to China every year to select the most talented students for the MMB program since it was launched in 1996. Dreamed up by Andy Chan, a member of the Morningside Group investment company in China, MMB is designed to help young classical musicians expand their artistic and cultural horizons. It comprises a summer course in Canada which sees students attend a month-long round of private lessons, master classes and chamber music recitals. Perhaps most importantly, participants also meet equally talented peers from around the globe. The program has attracted students not only from China but also from Japan, the Netherlands, Russia, Poland, Canada and the United States. 　　During their stay in Canada, MMB participants work under wonderful teachers from North America, who can help the prodigies develop their careers as well as their playing. As Paul says, “We don’t focus on how students are playing now, but look 10 years into the future and speculate where they could be and how we can help them get there.” Teachers advise the students on universities and provide help with scholarships and references. Several young Chinese musicians have used the MMB program as a stepping-stone to great success. Paul talks proudly about Wang Yujia, Ning Feng, Li Teng and othe