Meadowmount School of Music, an esteemed summer program for young string players, which was established by violin educator Ivan Galamian in Westport, NY, introduced the Gurrena Fellowship in 2022. This fellowship was initiated in memory of David A. Barnebl, an enthusiastic music enthusiast, by his wife, Linda Gurrena Barnebl, from Panton, VT. With a value of $50,000, the Gurrena Fellowship is designed to provide support to gifted students as they transition from their intensive musical training to pursuing independent careers in the field.
This fellowship has a specific focus on postgraduate students who are in need of financial assistance as they navigate the critical phase of moving from their educational training to establishing themselves as professionals. Over the course of the Fellowship year, the recipient is granted a substantial housing allowance, valuable guidance from professional artist management consultants, notable concert opportunities backed by the Meadowmount School of Music, and ongoing collaborative opportunities and training with the esteemed Meadowmount faculty. This collaboration extends into the subsequent year and includes participation in the 2024 summer session.
Janet Sung, the Artistic Director of Meadowmount, revealed that the 2023 recipient of the Gurrena Fellowship is Brazilian cellist Luiz Fernando Venturelli. Luiz Fernando Venturelli, who received his education under the mentorship of Professor Hans Jensen at Northwestern University, has a noteworthy history with the Meadowmount School of Music, having spent eight summers participating in the program.
Luiz Fernando Venturelli has achieved distinction by securing top honors in several competitions, including the 2023 Astral Artists Competition, the Paulo Bosisio competition, the Samuel and Eleanor Thaviu String competition, the Solo Competitions of the Orquestra Filarmônica de Goiás, Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo, and Northwestern University. Additionally, he gained recognition by winning the 24th Annual Sphinx Competition.
Luiz's musical accomplishments extend to performing as a soloist with various orchestras, such as the Symphony Orchestra of São Paulo, the Bahia Symphony, the Goiás Philharmonic, the Espírito Santo Symphony, the Campinas Symphony, the Piracicaba Symphony, the Heliópolis Symphony, the São Paulo University Symphony, and the SESI Chamber Orchestra.
In addition to his solo endeavors, Luiz Fernando Venturelli is a valued member of the acclaimed Galvin Cello Quartet, which was formed in 2021 at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern. The quartet's achievements include winning the silver medal at the 2021 Fischoff Competition and the Concert Artists Guild’s 2022 Victor Elmaleh Competition.
Expressing his gratitude and enthusiasm, Luiz stated, "I'm truly honored to be the recipient of Meadowmount School of Music's 2023 Gurrena Fellowship. A decade ago, as a 13-year-old from Brazil, stepping into Meadowmount opened doors to a new world of music and friendships. Meeting Hans Jensen, my mentor, set my life on its current course. Now, through this fellowship, I'm excited to continue my education and further build a career in the US. Meadowmount's impact has been life-changing for me and many others. I accept this award with gratitude and a commitment to share its influence in the future. My thanks to Meadowmount and everyone involved, I am excited for what comes next."
Janet Sung, the Artistic Director, expressed her excitement about awarding the 2023 Gurrena Fellowship to Luiz Fernando Venturelli. She highlighted his exceptional talent as a cellist, both as a soloist and a chamber musician, and noted his distinctive creative expression. Sung conveyed the school's anticipation of collaborating closely with Luiz to support his future musical pursuits as he embarks on the next phase of his musical journey.
