Syrian-Australian pianist Joyce Chahine is a collaborative artist, teacher and musician. A graduate of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in 2016, she has held recitals at Tempo Rubato, Deakin Edge and Melba Hall. She has also accompanied artists from MSO, ANAM, and Melba Opera Trust.
The opportunity to live and study abroad has become a reality, with an offer to study a Masters of Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at the end of 2021
In 2017, I co-founded a piano/cello duo, ‘JUO’, with cellist Joshua Dema. We have contributed to the urban chamber music scene in Melbourne with performances in contemporary spaces including Tempo Rubato, the Victorian Artist’s Society, and the Italian Cultural Institute. Having found immense satisfaction with a varied full-time musical career, I have turned my attention to artistic collaboration.
Having formed strong skills and passions in the artform of accompanying, the decision to undertake a master’s specifically focusing on accompaniment is undoubtedly the right one. Subsequently, I have been accepted into the Masters of Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland which spans over two years, and donations from the Australian Cultural Fund will greatly assist with tuition fees and living/accommodation expenses.
At this stage, I am eager to re-examine my pianistic technique, develop a broader international network, and further establish my career as an accompanist. Having formed a strong professional base in Melbourne, I wish to seek out specific training in the field of pianistic collaboration. The course will focus on accompanying my colleagues with recitals, competitions, and recordings. It will also allow me to improve on interpreting orchestral reductions, figured bass and heavily textured choral works.
Furthermore, it will afford me the opportunity to work with instrumentalists, vocalists, and mentors of which I may not have been able to, including the Heads of Keyboard and Accompanying, Aaron Schorr and Scott Mitchell.
Given the complete uncertainty of 2020, I was unable to receive any income from my work as a musician, with performances and freelance work coming to a forceful halt. I am seeking funding which will allow me to re-focus on my musical training, without the pressures of financing the next two years in Scotland. Additionally, it is suggested that living/accommodation expenses will be approximately $20,000 per year, with an additional $30,000 for tuition. Any financial support will be immensely appreciated, and upon my return to Australia, I wish to give back to the musical community and enrich our Victorian Performing Arts sector as it begins to return to some form of normality.
My place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has been secured and a deferral may be granted, given the current uncertainty around international travel. The current timeline will see the course begin in September of this year, however this may change, if for any reason, I am unable to travel overseas.
