The center for musical Excellence
In 2010 while on sabbatical from teaching, Dr. Kwon founded the nonprofit The Center for Musical Excellence, established to provide high-caliber training and individually tailored assistance to gifted young musicians wishing to pursue a life in music. Through multiple unique opportunities provided through grants, mentorships, and performances, CME inspires and guides young artists in their careers, ultimately enriching their lives and the surrounding community with the gift of music.
grants
Originally founded by Nic Moller in memory of his wife Birte, CME's International Performing Arts Grant has been awarded to exceptional rising stars in the music world since 2014. CME Grant Winners have gone on to compete in prestigious international competitions like the Tchaikovsky Competition and Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, record debut albums, perform all over the world, and make names for themselves in the music industry!
events
CME provides a wide variety of thrilling concerts to feature its Young Artists Roster. Events include exciting debuts at Carnegie Hall, intimate performances at private homes in bucolic Harding Township, NJ, and cozy church concerts that give the audience an inside look at up-and-coming stars. CME has also partnered with Rutgers University, the Watchung Arts Center, Green Brook Country Club, Takaezu Studios, Pollaro Custom Furniture, and numerous well-known musicians to present exceptional music to its supporters.
moving musicians forward
Through contacts in the music world, CME has been able to send its young musicians around the world to participate in exciting programs and workshops, including Vienna ConcertoFest, MusicFest Perugia, and a winter residency in Curaçao. CME is focused on the next generation of musical standouts, is happily able to provide wonderful opportunities such as these to further its goal of Moving Musicians Forward.
When asked by an interviewer, “Who should pursue music as a profession?” Isaac Stern replied, “Those who cannot imagine living without it. If every fiber of your being wants and demands it. When you are listening to the thirty minutes of Debussy’s La Mer, and for the twenty-five minutes of it, you are lost, you don’t understand it. But, if something happens to you during that five minutes or five seconds, something in your heart or your soul – you get those goose bumps? Then, it’s enough reason to want to be in music.”
Throughout my years of teaching and performing, I have encountered numerous aspiring young musicians who hold this special love for music. Whether music chooses them, or they choose music, once drawn to that power, it is inescapable. Perhaps this is the very reason why so many young people, despite numerous challenges and uncertainties, do not dare to leave it. And they shouldn’t leave it! They have been “touched” by music. I, too, was once one of these young artists. Often discouraged in my musical journey, I asked many questions, and searched and struggled to find the answers: how do I play better, how can I do justice to this music, how and from whom must I learn, where do I go from here? How do I move forward?
Looking back from this point in my career, I feel abundantly blessed with support and guidance from my mentors, fans, friends and family. Through CME I want, in turn, to serve the many young musicians who seek to express themselves through the gift of music. CME is here to make it happen, to guide, mentor, and inspire. We can make a difference, one young person at a time. I invite you to join us, whether as a student, teacher, patron, or volunteer, as we help young musicians move forward. The world will be a better place with all of us cultivating beauty through music.
– Min Kwon, Founder and Director of CME