March 5, 2025
Four-time Grammy Award-winning cellist Nick Photinos recently joined the Butler School of Music with a short but impactful residency, offering students a unique opportunity to learn from a world renouned cellist. Sponsored by the Chamber & Collaborative and Composition Division, the residency included a composers’ forum, a cello and chamber music masterclass, and a recital performance by Photinos. The residency’s centerpiece was a recital that highlighted contemporary experimental music, featuring works that integrated modern technologies like screen projections, audio tracks, and visual elements.
Nick Photinos performs with Butler students Selina Xu, Xinke Fu, and William Han
The first piece, "Raise," was a multi-media composition by composer Pamela Z, written specifically for Photinos and a cello ensemble. Premiered in February 2024, the work serves as an homage to those who have shaped us such as parents, mentors, and friends. During his performance, Photinos was joined by three talented Butler School of Music cellists: Selina Xu, Xinke Fu, and William Han. The work challenged the performers in new ways, requiring them to wear earbuds and perform with a metronome, creating a heightened sense of collaboration and synchronization.
For BSOM student Selina Xu, participating in this avant-garde piece was a unique learning experience. “It was definitely an unforgettable experience,” she said. “I’ve never played such avant-garde chamber music before. We had to wear earbuds with the metronome, which changed the way we listened and interacted with one another. We also had only one rehearsal the day before the concert, so it was a bit nerve-wracking, but I felt incredibly honored to be part of the music-making process.”
In addition to the recital, the residency also included a Composer’s Forum, where two composition students, Jiaxin Zhang and Bike Öner, had the opportunity to work one-on-one with Photinos. Each composer presented solo cello pieces they had written, and Photinos provided feedback, focusing on cello-specific techniques and the subtle tonal variations created through various bowing methods.
Nick Photinos teaching at the Butler School of Music
Jiaxin Zhang reflected on the workshop, saying, “I was lucky to have this workshop with Prof. Photinos. He guided me through my score and discussed how he would interpret it. I learned a lot about graphic notation that will help performers better understand a composer’s intentions.”
Photinos’ residency provided students not only with the opportunity to refine their technical skills but also with a chance to dive deeply into the creative process behind contemporary music.