Violinist Alisa Berenshtein of River Vale
Awarded 2021 Roland L. Meyer Scholarship
Alisa Berenshtein
Alisa Berenshtein, a virtuoso violinist whose love of music runs in the family, has been named as the 2021 winner of the Roland L. Meyer Scholarship Award by the Orpheus Club Men's Chorus (Orpheus).
Ms. Berenshtein, of River Vale, New Jersey, is a 2020 graduate of Pascack Valley High School. (She graduated in three years.) For the past year Berenshtein has honed her skills in order to be accepted into a top music conservatory. At the time of her scholarship application, she was considering music conservatories in the United States and Israel, and hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in violin performance.
“I fell in love with music before I even picked up the violin,” she wrote in her scholarship application. “Both my mother and grandfather are professional violinists from Russia, and I grew up listening to them play and rehearse. I now follow in their footsteps and begin my own journey as a musician.”
“Music for me has always been about sharing emotions and stories with my audience. I’ve worked countless hours to get where I am today, and I know I have much to learn and improve on in the future. Attending a good music school has not only been a lifelong dream of mine, but will help me to continuously improve and further myself and my playing. Only then will I have a chance to share my love for music and violin with the world.”
Ms. Berenshtein’s memberships in school music organizations, festivals, and masterclasses include:
Ms. Berenshtein, of River Vale, New Jersey, is a 2020 graduate of Pascack Valley High School. (She graduated in three years.) For the past year Berenshtein has honed her skills in order to be accepted into a top music conservatory. At the time of her scholarship application, she was considering music conservatories in the United States and Israel, and hopes to earn a bachelor’s degree in violin performance.
“I fell in love with music before I even picked up the violin,” she wrote in her scholarship application. “Both my mother and grandfather are professional violinists from Russia, and I grew up listening to them play and rehearse. I now follow in their footsteps and begin my own journey as a musician.”
“Music for me has always been about sharing emotions and stories with my audience. I’ve worked countless hours to get where I am today, and I know I have much to learn and improve on in the future. Attending a good music school has not only been a lifelong dream of mine, but will help me to continuously improve and further myself and my playing. Only then will I have a chance to share my love for music and violin with the world.”
Ms. Berenshtein’s memberships in school music organizations, festivals, and masterclasses include:
- Tri-M Music Honor Society – grades 10-12.
- Pit Orchestra for spring musical – 11th grade.
- Chamber Choir – grades 10-12.
- PV Chamber Choir – grades 10-11.
- Eastern Music Festival, 2019.
- Dali Quartet International Music Festival, 2015-2020.
- Violin Masterclasses with: Elena Urioste, Grigory Kalinovsky, and Jeffrey Multer.
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She has been honored with these awards and placements, among others:
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Argine Safari, a music teacher at Pascack Valley High School, recommended Berenshtein for the Meyer scholarship.
“Alisa practices violin constantly, every day, and doesn't take any of her accomplishments for granted, nor does she stop working on her skills,” Mrs. Safari wrote. “As a true performer, Alisa is always willing to play at all our on-campus and off-campus events, and has done a phenomenal job playing in various venues as a hired professional as well.
“Performing better than most of her classmates, Alisa has been enrolled in some of the most advanced courses, and, as a result, was able to graduate last year as a junior, having demonstrated unmatched work ethics even during the most difficult of times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mrs. Safari wrote.
“... Alisa is also a strong singer, having been a highly regarded choir member of two choirs for all three years of her high school, including the select Award-winning Chamber choir at our school and the Bergen County Choir for two years.,” Mrs. Safari continued “She is kind, humble, caring, always willing to help her classmates and friends, extremely respectful and honest. ... She is a one-of-a-kind outstanding musician, hard-working, motivated, creative and driven.“
The Orpheus scholarship includes an award of $2,000 toward Ms. Berenshtein’s studies.
The Roland L. Meyer Scholarship winner traditionally performs at Orpheus’ spring concerts. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Orpheus’ 2020 concerts, and the spring 2021 concert, were canceled.
"Alisa's artistry is undeniable,” said John J. Palatucci, Music Director of Orpheus. “Coupled with her attributes of service and maturity, rarely if ever has the selection committee encountered a more worthy applicant."
“Alisa practices violin constantly, every day, and doesn't take any of her accomplishments for granted, nor does she stop working on her skills,” Mrs. Safari wrote. “As a true performer, Alisa is always willing to play at all our on-campus and off-campus events, and has done a phenomenal job playing in various venues as a hired professional as well.
“Performing better than most of her classmates, Alisa has been enrolled in some of the most advanced courses, and, as a result, was able to graduate last year as a junior, having demonstrated unmatched work ethics even during the most difficult of times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mrs. Safari wrote.
“... Alisa is also a strong singer, having been a highly regarded choir member of two choirs for all three years of her high school, including the select Award-winning Chamber choir at our school and the Bergen County Choir for two years.,” Mrs. Safari continued “She is kind, humble, caring, always willing to help her classmates and friends, extremely respectful and honest. ... She is a one-of-a-kind outstanding musician, hard-working, motivated, creative and driven.“
The Orpheus scholarship includes an award of $2,000 toward Ms. Berenshtein’s studies.
The Roland L. Meyer Scholarship winner traditionally performs at Orpheus’ spring concerts. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Orpheus’ 2020 concerts, and the spring 2021 concert, were canceled.
"Alisa's artistry is undeniable,” said John J. Palatucci, Music Director of Orpheus. “Coupled with her attributes of service and maturity, rarely if ever has the selection committee encountered a more worthy applicant."