MEET OUR STUDENTS: MIA BRAMEL
MEET OUR STUDENTS - ft. Mia Bramel!
Come hear Mia in concert next Friday @ Maison Française!
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MPP: What year are you at Columbia/Barnard and what are/will you be majoring in?
M: I am in Columbia College, Class of 2022. I’m currently thinking of doing a CS Major, but there are so many fields that interest me at the moment.
MPP: How should a student at Columbia take advantage of all the musical offerings here?
M: The Music Performance Program at Columbia has an incredible amount of opportunities available to its students. You can take private lessons on campus, participate in master classes, join an ensemble, as well as perform regularly in recitals. For me, personally, I am so grateful to have received the Dolan Prize, a scholarship that covers a year’s worth of lessons with your teacher. Through this opportunity, I was able to continue studying with my beloved piano teacher of five years, Golda Vainberg-Tatz.
I highly recommend joining an ensemble on campus. I’m currently in an MPP chamber ensemble with my talented friends, violinist Alison Kahn and horn player Nick Kathios. Our coach, Susan Palma-Nidel, has guided us through this wonderful experience. One of my favorite things about chamber music is performing and bonding with my fellow musicians, and the joy that comes from making music together. The goal in the performance is always to communicate this connection and feeling to the audience.
MPP: How do you balance a busy academic schedule with practice time? Any tips?
M: Balancing academic work and practice is often a juggling act. I try to stay super organized with my schedule, so each evening I plan out the next day down to the half-hour. I block out time for my classes, studying/homework, meals, and practice. Ideally, I follow the schedule and everything works according to plan, but if some things end up shifting around that’s okay. I practice on average 2 hours a day and still have ample time for academics so I would say it’s been working out well so far.
MPP: What experience or piece made you first fall in love with music?
M: I feel like I fall in love with music every day haha! I honestly can’t remember the first specific moment that made me fall in love, but I’m always moved when I attend an inspiring live performance.
MPP: How has MPP helped you better study, live, or grow in your time at Columbia?
M: Perhaps my favorite time of the week is 4:15 on Wednesdays when I have Master Class with Dr. Magdalena Stern-Baczewska. Each week, two students perform a piece they’re working on and Dr. Baczewska, as well as the other students, give really useful, constructive feedback. This class has taught me really valuable skills, not just in a musical performance, but in being a more confident, thoughtful, fearless person. I’m sometimes reluctant to perform a piece if it isn’t polished or I don’t feel it’s ready. Dr. Baczewska has pushed me to present the work I have, even if it’s a work-in-progress. In Master Class, the whole point is to open the floor for feedback and advice - it’s all about growing as a musician. Now I definitely feel more comfortable with imperfection in no matter what field, because it’s necessary for learning and improving.