Eye on Education. Teacher Feature: Enrico Elisi -- interview by Victoria Kilbury (La Voce Las Vegas, Jan. 2007)

A stimulating, inspiring teacher and a spectacular, impressive performer In today's world where there are so many negative stories about teachers and education, it is refreshing to hear from you, our readers about those outstanding teachers who make a difference. This month we feature one of those great educators – Enrico Elisi. Enrico is an Assistant Professor of Piano at UNLV. He teaches undergraduate courses at UNLV in accompaniment, keyboard harmony and has organized a studio class learning tool. Enrico speaks French, English, some German and of course Italian. He uses the various languages to teach music vocabulary. Enrico employs a teaching method where he encourages students to imitate and recreate sounds in essence developing their “ear for music”. Next he helps students determine what mood should be created. Carolyn Violi, a music student at the college, stresses that “Enrico addresses each student's needs while having the musical goal as the focal point.” Focusing on the process and techniques needed to meet the musical goal, Enrico strives to make the musical score come alive. He likens the process to that of the theatre where actors create the mood and engage in a psychological process to achieve the desired performance. His credentials are impressive studying music at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University on a full scholarship, earning both Masters and Doctoral degrees. Dr. Elisi also holds two Italian degrees from the Conservatory of Florence and the International Piano Academy of Imola. Enrico came to Las Vegas two and a half years ago attracted by the growth potential, new thinking and ideas, and a freedom to create programs and UNLV. And create new programs is just what Enrico has done. Joined by musician colleague, Shakeh Gloukasian, they created the successful Green Valley Chamber Music Festival where thirty participants ages 12-26 work and learn together for a special performance each August. This initiative involves the local community and the university. Michael Burkhardt who played in the festival last year was excited about the rare opportunity as a high school student to perform chamber music with other talented musicians in the community. While Enrico is an excellent teacher he is also recognized as a proficient performer. He has performed in Europe , America and Asia . Recent engagements include recitals at the National University of the Arts ( Taipei , Taiwan ), the Red Star Theater ( Hangzhou , China ), the University of Texas ( Austin ), and the New Millennium International Piano Festival ( Asturias , Spain ). He has appeared as a soloist with the Florence Symphony, in Italy , the Bay Atlantic Symphony, in New Jersey , the Greeley Philharmonic, in Colorado , the Orchestra Classica of Oporto, in Portugal , and the Johns Hopkins Symphony orchestra, in Maryland . Described as “a rising star” by the Dean of Fine Arts at UNLV, Jeff Koep, Enrico is just the kind of teacher that UNLV wishes to attract. Dr. Koep notes, “The piano world will hear a lot about him in the next ten years.” Enrico explains that musicians of the past were both composers and performers and that teaching and performing compliment each other. Enrico views his interactions and responses of students as helping him to improve this own performance and learning. He joyfully notes that teaching “feeds me as a performer.” Enrico has plans to continue his support of the Italian community and its arts. He is currently pursuing a project with the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles to bring Italian music both contemporary and traditional to Las Vegas.