Canadian International School of Phnom Penh (CIS) welcomed Italian pianist Julian Gargiulo for a piano masterclass and concert, giving students an opportunity to hear a professional musician perform and discuss his craft. The school shared the event through its Artist in Residence (AiR) Program and highlighted performances by Middle School students Emily, Pich and Ryan.

Julian Gargiulo piano masterclass at CIS Phnom Penh

According to the school’s announcement, students attended a special piano masterclass and concert featuring Julian Gargiulo. The event combined a live musical performance with questions and answers, allowing students to explore how a pianist approaches technique and stage performance.

Photographs accompanying the post show a grand piano in a school auditorium, students seated in the audience and young musicians performing at the keyboard. The images document the setting, but the school did not identify the musical works performed or provide a complete programme.

CIS described Gargiulo as a world-class Italian pianist. Its post does not state the duration of his visit, the number of masterclass participants or whether additional workshops took place.

Middle School students share their musical talent

The announcement names three Middle School students, Emily, Pich and Ryan, who had an opportunity to showcase their musical talent during the event. Their participation placed student performance alongside the visiting pianist’s concert.

Presenting music before an audience requires preparation, concentration and the ability to respond to the performance environment. For students, these experiences can provide practice in managing nerves and communicating musical ideas through sound.

The school did not specify which pieces the students played or describe their individual performances. Their inclusion in the programme is nevertheless a confirmed part of the event as reported by CIS.

Learning through the Artist in Residence Program

CIS identified the masterclass and concert as part of its Artist in Residence (AiR) Program. The school said students joined question-and-answer sessions with Gargiulo to gain insights into technique and stagecraft and consider different perspectives on music.

An artist-in-residence experience can connect classroom learning with professional practice. Students may ask how performers prepare for concerts, interpret musical passages or respond when a performance does not go as planned.

Questions about technique can also lead to practical discussions about posture, listening, rhythm and deliberate practice. Stagecraft covers how performers present themselves, communicate with an audience and maintain focus during a live performance.

The Facebook post confirms these discussions took place, although it does not reproduce the questions or Gargiulo’s answers. Specific advice from the session should therefore not be attributed to him without a direct record.

Why live music experiences matter in education

Listening to a pianist in person gives students a different perspective from hearing recorded music. They can observe movement at the keyboard, changes in dynamics and the relationship between the performer and the audience.

For children studying an instrument, seeing an experienced musician can help connect technical exercises to expressive performance. Students who do not play piano may still develop curiosity about musical styles, performance preparation and the work involved in mastering a skill.

Schools can extend these experiences through classroom reflection, encouraging students to describe what they heard and identify questions they would like to explore further. Such follow-up activities are general educational possibilities, not additional events confirmed by CIS.

CIS celebrates student and visiting artist performances

The Julian Gargiulo piano masterclass at Canadian International School of Phnom Penh brought together a visiting musician, student performers and an audience of learners. CIS specifically recognised Emily, Pich and Ryan for sharing their talent and highlighted the value of learning directly from an artist through performance and discussion.

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