This pasty July, WPMA hosted two masterclasses led by renowned artists: violinist Herbert Greenberg and pianist Ben Kim.
These sessions were facilitated through the Atlanta Festival Academy (AFA) Young Artist Competition, where both Greenberg and Kim served as jurors, alongside clarinetist Seunghee Lee and conductor Henry Cheng. Several competition winners and AFA musicians, including WPMA students and alumni, received the opportunity to work directly with them.
The masterclasses took place at WPMA’s Alpharetta and Buford campuses in our recital spaces, offering the student musicians the invaluable experience of performing for and receiving instruction from internationally distinguished musicians.
Artist Profiles
Herbert Greenberg – Violinist and Pedagogue
Herbert Greenberg brings decades of orchestral leadership and teaching excellence to the studio. Former concertmaster of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (1981–2001), he has also served in similar leadership roles with ensembles such as the Minnesota Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony, and as a guest concertmaster for orchestras around the world—including in Houston, St. Louis, San Diego, and Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra.
Greenberg’s solo and chamber career spans major global festivals and collaborations with luminaries like Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma, and Pinchas Zukerman. He has been on the violin faculty at the Peabody Conservatory since 1987—holding leadership positions including String Chair and Department Coordinator—and his students now hold prominent positions in leading orchestras worldwide.
Ben Kim – Pianist and Competition Laureate
Pianist Ben Kim first gained international acclaim in 2006 when he won First Prize at the prestigious ARD International Music Competition in Munich. A student of Leon Fleisher at the Peabody Conservatory, he further refined his artistry at the International Piano Academy Lake Como and the Berlin University of Arts.
Kim has performed at distinguished venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw, Musikverein, and Suntory Hall, collaborating with orchestras including Bavarian Radio, Leipzig, and the Baltimore Symphony. His repertoire spans solo recitals and recordings—his Chopin Preludes & Impromptus received Editor’s Choice recognition, and his Mozart concerto recordings have drawn critical praise for their innovation and energy.
About William Pu Music Academy
Ben Kim and Herbert Greenberg join a distinguished roster of world-renowned artists who have shared their expertise with William Pu Music Academy students. From masterclasses to special workshops, these visits bring the global stage to our campuses—continuing a tradition of inspiring the next generation through direct engagement with the very best in the field.
The William Pu Music Academy is a private, award-winning, conservatory-style music academy in Atlanta. WPMA offers music education programming taught by the finest musicians and pedagogues in all of Georgia. In addition to taking 1-on-1 instrument lessons with highly-trained faculty, students at WPMA study music theory & sight-reading, participate in monthly recitals, studio classes, masterclasses with guest artists, and perform in chamber and orchestra ensembles. Academy students receive a rich and comprehensive music education, supported by a dedicated faculty. In this environment distinguished by its community and learning opportunities, WPMA students frequently compete and succeed in state and nation-wide auditions. Learn more about WPMA and previous masterclass artists at wpmusicacademy.com.
