The Dwight Schools Break Ground in International Education, Bringing Together Top Student Musicians from Shanghai, Seoul, London, and New York on the World's Most Famous Concert Stage -- Carnegie Hall

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A trailblazer in international education, The Dwight Schools brought together 200 students from around the world over the weekend to perform a special concert at a sold-out Carnegie Hall. Entitled "Dwight Showtime: Music from the Stage and Screen," the concert exemplifies Dwight's work since 1972 to spearhead international education and prepare students to thrive in today's globalized world.  

With campuses in New York, London, Seoul, Shanghai, and on Vancouver Island, The Dwight Schools are leading International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools offering students numerous opportunities to participate in curricular and cultural exchanges, cross-campus collaborations, and online programs.

"Dwight is committed to educating the next generation of innovative global leaders," said Stephen Spahn, Chancellor of The Dwight Schools. "Through the vigorous IB curriculum, which educates students to be internationally minded; and our dedication to personalizing the educational journey for each student based on individual talents and passions, which we call 'igniting the spark of genius in every child,' Dwight is preparing 2,000 students around the world for success."

There were many talented students who demonstrated their musical spark of genius at Carnegie Hall, including two who attend Dwight School in New York:

• Aru Akabayashi '16: Mr. Akabayashi, a technically gifted pianist, performed two compositions by Brahms: a solo, Rhapsody in G minor, Op.79 No. 2; and the Piano Quartet in C minor, Op. 30 No. 3. "Having the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall is so exciting," he reported. "Playing music with friends in an ensemble is always a pleasure. Playing a solo on such a grand stage had always been my dream — and it came true!" Mr. Akabayashi, who came to Dwight last year from Japan, studies piano in Dwight's Conservatory Program.
• Chloe Margules '15: Ms. Margules, a vocalist, closed the concert with a rousing rendition of "Seasons of Love" from Rent, The Musical. A Dwight student since ninth grade, she shared, "Dwight has nurtured my spark of genius and enabled me to perform at exciting venues such as Carnegie Hall. I'm grateful for that rare opportunity. Having the chance to sing on a stage where so many incredible performers have stood has definitely been amazing — and having been selected to close the program was an honor. What a wonderful way to finish my high school experience!"

"Bringing together Dwight students from around the world to share their cultural traditions, learn from one another, and unite through music is a great joy," said Alistair Hamilton, Dwight School Music Director. "Equally gratifying is collaborating with my fellow music directors at Dwight campuses in London, Seoul, and Shanghai in preparation for our big concert. Both activities demonstrate the numerous benefits of being part of a global and active network of schools that values the arts and provides students with unprecedented opportunities, such as performing together on one of the world's greatest stages."

To see a video of Dwight global students preparing for Carnegie Hall, click here.

More about Dwight School

Founded in 1872, Dwight is a leading, independent IB World School located on Manhattan's Upper West Side. It was the first school in the Americas to offer all four IB programs for students from preschool through grade 12. A Dwight world-class education rests on three pillars: personalized learning, community, and global vision. Graduates attend such leading colleges and universities worldwide as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, NYU, Brown, Oxford, and the University of Edinburgh.

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Laurie Silbersweig 
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Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIE-_JKiybo

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150202/172826

SOURCE Dwight School

Related Links

http://www.dwight.edu