If there is a place where Carnegie Hall meets a majestic alpine landscape, it’s the Classical Tahoe Music Festival, a month-long celebration of jazz and classical music from world-class musicians. Classical Tahoe brings together performers from the world's biggest stages at the jewel of the Sierra. From Brubeck jazz to a night of uninterrupted Beethoven, Classical Tahoe has it all. This year, Classical Tahoe was held at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe campus.

This is where Chamber Connections, a program designed to pair music students at the University with musicians playing in the Classical Tahoe Music Festival, comes into play. Fourteen of the University of Nevada, Reno’s finest jazz students were chosen for the program and paired with musicians from all over the world. 

Meet Milo Nieves, a second-year doctor of musical arts student who plays the cello. This summer, Nieves was mentored by violinist Simon James of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music during a masterclass. While nervous to play, he was more excited than anything else, especially to receive detailed feedback and connect with the world-class musicians.

“I’m most excited to learn from the musicians around me. Our intrinsic approach to playing chamber music is going to be different. Of course, there are similarities, but we all bring something different to the table. That leaves a lot of opportunity to learn from the people around us. That diversity of experience is what I’m excited to learn from.” -Nieves.

Another student, Charlotte Drury, was excited about the opportunity to learn from Thomas Jostlein, associate principal horn of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Charlotte has played the French Horn since sixth grade, and is currently a first-year doctoral student seeking her degree in musical performance at the University. At the Chamber Connections performance, she played alongside Tricia Jostlein, a fellow French horn player. 

“I’m most excited about the mentorship,” Drury said. “I think it’s amazing that we are able to sit and play right next to these amazing musicians who have careers in professional orchestras. Even just listening to them in the rehearsals, you can learn so much.”

Before being selected for the program, many of the music students did not know each other. After two nights and three days of bonding on the Lake Tahoe campus, they made connections and friendships that will last a lifetime. Drury, like many other Chamber Connections students, seemed to appreciate the camaraderie and professional relationship-building the most. The music world is small, and good impressions are seen as the gift that keeps on giving.

Chamber Connections students rehearse alongside world-class musicians, gaining invaluable mentorship and experience. Together, they share their music with the Tahoe community, fostering connections across generations while showcasing the talent and dedication of University of Nevada, Reno students.

“Being surrounded by good music is always such a joy,” Nieves said. “We got to attend the concert last night. The emperor concerto? Fantastic. The Eroica symphony? Also fantastic.”

This inaugural session of Chamber Connections was generously supported by Lin Nelson as a reflection of her enthusiasm for music education.