MUSIC
STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER • PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK BURCHARD A Harmonious Collaboration
Kinhaven Music School and Burr & Burton Academy Launch a Groundbreaking New Semester Program
S outhern Vermont has long been a region where cultural and educational programs and initiatives thrive side-byside in symbiotic harmony. Now, two of its most respected institutions— Kinhaven Music School in Weston and Burr & Burton Academy( BBA) in Manchester— have joined forces to create an innovative, integrated program unlike any other in the nation.
The Kinhaven – BBA Semester Program allows high school musicians from outside Vermont to live on Kinhaven’ s campus throughout the year, study at BBA each morning, and devote their afternoons and evenings to chamber music, lessons, and rehearsals. It is the first program of its kind in the United States: A semester-long immersion program in both music and academics. Although not directly influenced by the athletic / academic balance of Vermont’ s renowned ski academies, it nev-
34 manchester life | manchesterlifemagazine. com ertheless stands in close parallel with their structure, enabling students to flourish with access to the best of both worlds.
Together, BBA and Kinhaven are modeling a new vision for education. It’ s a model that honors the legacy of both institutions, creating new opportunities for students and new cultural vitality for Southern Vermont. With their new partnership, they are combining strengths in a bold way, and the future for both Kinhaven and BBA is looking brighter than ever. Several weeks into the program’ s inaugural Fall semester, we spoke to Kinhaven and BBA’ s executive staff, faculty, and students, gaining valuable insight into the program and its transformative potential.
A Vision Realized
When Kinhaven’ s Co-Executive Director, Anthony“ Tony” Mazzocchi, walks around Kinhaven’ s bucolic campus in Weston, he