This article originally appeared in the fall 2015 Harker Quarterly.

In August, pianist Andrew Semenza, grade 10, spent two weeks at the Beijing International Music Festival and Academy (BIMFA), where he took part in a master class, received private lessons, played with a chamber music group and performed in numerous concerts.

Semenza was asked to apply for the camp by his private piano teacher, who recently joined the BIMFA faculty. “The festival was not only an opportunity to learn intensively in two weeks, but also a successful cultural exchange where I was able to visit many historical sights and explore the city,” said Semenza. “Overall, it was a very enriching and enjoyable experience musically and culturally.”