Fulbright Scholarship winner to study, teach music in Czech Republic
Hi,
I am a 1989 graduate of Bunnell, and now teach at Oakland University, in Rochester, MI. I was recently awarded a Fulbright to the Czech Republic. Our communications staff here put together this press release. I don't know if there would be interest in posting this, but I thought I would copy it here. The only thing that didn't get copied is the photo. I can send that separately if that would be helpful. I thought I might pass this along since my family, and many friends, are still in the area.
Thanks!
George Stoffan
_____
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 1, 2012
Fulbright Scholarship winner to study, teach music in Czech Republic
Rochester, Mich. – For more than a decade, Oakland University Associate Professor of Music George Stoffan has been fascinated with and challenged by the unique musical tradition of the Czech Republic.
As a way to recognize his academic and professional achievements in the fields of music and education, as well as his demonstrated leadership potential, the United States Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board have given Stoffan an opportunity to explore his passion more deeply, as well as to share American traditions in music with the people of the Czech Republic.
Having been named a Fulbright Scholar for the 2012-13 academic year, Stoffan will serve as an artist-in-residence at the Janacek Academy of Music in the city of Brno. While there, he will teach lessons to students in the clarinet studios, lead master classes, coach ensembles and present a recital of music by American composers.
"The majority of my teaching will be individual lessons rather than in a classroom setting, so what I'm looking forward to most is communicating my musical ideas with students whose first language is Czech. It's hard enough in English." Stoffan explained.
"I will probably need to teach more through playing, singing and movement, and talk less, or at least think about the words I use. I anticipate that I will re-examine my own teaching as a result. For instance, my students here will probably appreciate the part about talking less."
Explaining that Czech Republic music faculty are active performers just as faculty here in the states are, Stoffan added, "I look forward to performing with some of them. I think I will learn much about the repertoire and performance traditions through this collaboration."
Stoffan is one of approximately 1,100 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program this year. The flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, it is designed to increase the mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of more than 155 countries worldwide.
Regarding the news that he'd been named a Fulbright Scholar, Stoffan said it took time to truly sink in. "I didn't believe it myself for a couple of days," he explained. "I am truly honored and grateful to have this opportunity. I hope to be a good musical and cultural ambassador."
Since its establishment in 1946 under legislation introduced by the late U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, the Fulbright Program has given approximately 300,000 students, scholars, teachers, artists and scientists the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. Forty-three Fulbright alumni from 11 countries have been awarded the Nobel Prize, and 75 alumni have received Pulitzer Prizes.
For further information about the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, visit
http://fulbright.state.gov or contact James A. Lawrence in the Office of Academic Exchange Programs at (202) 632-3241 or e-mail to fulbright@state.gov.
# # #
_____
Oakland University is a doctoral, research-intensive university located in Oakland County, Michigan. The university has 132 bachelor's degree programs and 126 graduate degree and certificate programs. Dedicated to delivering a distinctive undergraduate experience that is complemented by the strength of its graduate offerings and research accomplishments, Oakland University is organized into the College of Arts and Sciences, the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine and the Schools of Business Administration, Education and Human Services, Engineering and Computer Science, Health Sciences, Nursing and The Honors College. Visit Oakland University on the Web at oakland.edu.
