by Mike Telin
Part One:
Hailed as “the real thing, a player with a virtuoso’s technique, a deeply expressive musicianship, and a probing imagination” by the American Record Guide, classical guitarist Colin Davin is quickly emerging as one of today’s most dynamic young artists. His recent recital appearances include Alice Tully Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (on historic instruments from the museum’s collection), New York Philharmonic Ensembles at Merkin Hall, and venues in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Austin, and Cleveland.
As an educator, Davin has taught at the Aspen Music Festival as the teaching assistant to Sharon Isbin, and in January 2013, he was a guest artist-faculty at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul, Afghanistan. Recently the school received a considerable amount of attention in the national press when its orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center.
We reached the Bay Village Native by Skype video in Kabul where he had just begun his second visit as a guest teacher at the school. During the first of three interviews, Davin explains how his position is funded, his educational duties, the expansive mission and educational philosophy of the school, and the challenges of reviving Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.
Published on ClevelandClassical June 10, 2013
Part Two:
This is our second installment of video conversations with classical guitarist Colin Davin, who is currently serving as a guest artist-faculty at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM). We reached Davin by Skype video on Friday, June 14 and we talked about his busy week of teaching individual students, group lessons as well as coaching the guitar section of the Afghan National Youth Orchestra. He also explained why the orchestra includes a guitar section.
His week also included performing concerts at the Institute, the Canadian Embassy and at a local orphanage that is a partner organization with ANIM. Additionally, Davin took part in a recording session with a traditional Pashto singer, (Pashto is one of the two official languages in Afghanistan) and collaborated with a group of traditional Afghan musicians.
Published on ClevelandClassical June 17, 2013
Part Three:
During our concluding conversation with classical guitarist Colin Davin just after he returned to New York, he talked about his final days as a guest teacher at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIMO). He also told us about the progress that has been made at the school since his first visit in January of this year, as well as the continuing challenges. Additionally he offered his observations on the daily life in the city of Kabul.
We thank Colin for his willingness to take part in these interviews and for sharing his unique perspective on how music is helping young people to re-build their lives in a city left devastated by years of war and political unrest.
Published on ClevelandClassical.com June 25, 2013
