Jan 15, 2011
Albert Wu
12 Kelsey
Irvine, CA 92618
(949)413-7484
To: American University Music Department & Admissions Committee
Devoted. Passionate. Dedicated. Prepared. Self-motivated. Problem-solver. Caring. Punctual. Mature. Meticulous. Mindful. She is Irreplaceable.
These are just a few superlatives I’d use to describe Jennifer Glinzak for you, currently serving as my Assistant Conductor for the 2010-11 season for not just one but two of my nonprofit youth orchestras: IYJA (Irvine Young Junior Artists) and IYCA (Irvine Young Concert Artists.)
I first met and heard about Jennifer Glinzak through my Music Director Dean Anderson in September 2010. IYCA was searching for an Assistant Conductor who could do it all: guest conduct, conduct international tours, conduct on a moment’s notice, work on grants, fundraise, recruiting, as well as being the personnel manager. Maestro Anderson and myself felt whoever was hired needed to have lots of experience with youth orchestras, handling younger kids, great rehearsal etiquette, and the ability to add to what is missing in our orchestra. Like any great organization, we were looking for a great addition to our team. Jennifer Glinzak was all those things, and more.
It’s rare for one person to have such an impact upon an organization in short a period of time. Ms. Glinzak began her position as Assistant Conductor in October 2010. She adjudicated auditions with myself and our music director, offering not only advice about where to place the student but also insight on how other youth orchestras failed to often showcase the talented students. She understood IYCA’s vision of promoting emerging artists in solo concerti, and always students to rotate during rehearsals, to overcome nervousness as a soloist, and to be serious about music-making. She commanded each rehearsal with humor and authority, always encouraging the young musicians.
Ms. Glinzak is a truly devoted musician and human being. She arrives to rehearsals early and is the last to leave. When she arrives before I do, she is there to set up chairs and stands for the rehearsal, something I asked her not to do since it was my job. To this day, she still insists it is no trouble. When she is the last to leave it is because she chooses to. She leaves late because she talks to the young high school students about their futures. No topic is off limits for her, no question too inappropriate. She tackled topics early on with IYCA members such as life as a musician, double majoring in college, going against what your parents preach, the reality of college life, life after college, life after graduate school, her dreams, the student’s dreams, as well as their personal problems which often prevent them from reaching their full potential. The students are drawn to her because she is always honest. Nothing is exaggerated or sugar-coated to disguise the truth. She offers something that the students do not get at their schools in her honesty. In my six years of directing IYCA, I have never seen a conductor connect with students on this friendship basis as Ms. Glinzak does. Her magic is her blunt honesty and directness, all extensions of her compassion. She seeks to understand everything she does. And not just everything but everyone. No musician is invisible to her. Anyone can ask her about anything. I’ve often sat with Ms. Glinzak just to listen to this wonderful dialogue between students and conductor to learn more about life, our world, and most importantly, our young students. Young artists need guidance, and often, this is guidance involves inspiration away from a rehearsal as we all know. Ms. Glinzak is such an inspirational figure.
A rehearsal is not just a rehearsal for Ms. Glinzak. It is a time to share her experiences, her opinions, and her thoughts with our IYCA family. She is giving of her time, and for me, her style of teaching is the ideal of teaching. Her stories and analogies are memorable, well-thought out, and deeply moving. Infused with her deep desire to see those around her succeed, Ms. Glinzak’s style of conducting is a rare phenomenon these days where most conductor do not share. She is very motherly to every member of IYCA, courteous to the parents, and warm to everyone who auditions. I recommend you watch her rehearse for a few minutes any ensemble and see how inspired you yourself will be. You get a glimpse of her heart and soul, not just her demeanor and her stage presence as a conductor.
On the podium, Ms. Glinzak is always prepared. Score in hand, she is the true maestro: commanding, clear, and authoritative. She knows everyone by name, notices when someone is not trying hard enough, or those who leave early or arrive late. She never makes a scene but calculates on how to fix every problem that arises differently. She is kind as she is demanding, and the students not only take her seriously but play their best for her. While many conductor abuse this power, Jennifer Glinzak uses her presence to keep a rehearsal very organized and productive. Every rehearsal has a flow and Ms. Glinzak gets more than the job done.
Jennifer Glinzak is a versatile musician. She is a first-rate conductor, able to fill-in for any rehearsal. This is another rare trait for conductors. In the past six months, she has substituted for my two music directors at least a dozen times, often at the last minute, without any time to adequately study the score. Her nerves are never shaken, and she is able to always ready to run a rehearsal without trepidation or hesitation. She knows how orchestras work, what does not work, and more important, what her role is to make every rehearsal work. This insight from years of devotion as a caring musician herself shows in her versatility. While some conductors work best with younger kids and others with older students, Jennifer Glinzak is able to work with students of any age. Like a seasoned chamber musician, Ms. Glinzak knows how to rehearse and how to related to people. A valuable trait not only as a conductor but for someone who has dreams of Arts Administration.
Jennifer Glinzak’s ability to manage is superb. Her impact on my organization in the past five months will be missed next season. While most organizations have individuals who only respond to commands, Ms. Glinzak does more than she is asked to do. She is mature, artistic, sensitive, and a visionary. When I first met her, it became clear to me immediately she was a musician of purpose. She spoke of her dreams of working for the National Endowment for the Arts, her work with young musicians from other youth orchestras, and what she could offer to help the IYCA organization. Ms. Glinzak had a thourough understanding of recruitment, as well as grant writing for upcoming international tours. She was aware of IYCA’s invite in 2008 to the Beijing Olympics, and she concurred the role of politicians in classical music was vital. We discussed my dreams, and she gave me the encouragement and confidence needed to execute them
While most people glorify and try to relive their pasts by speaking of what they’ve done during interviews, Ms. Glinzak stood out to me because she spoke of her future, her dreams. She had a lot, all well thought out, formulated, realistic, and all with a purpose, an impact. I was impressed! Dreamers shape the world. They are the risk-takers, the ones who leave the unforgettable moments in young people, and in the realm of classical music, they are leaders who we must trust so the arts thrive. Jennifer Glinzak is such a visionary. Her work in arts administration will be a labor of love, with relevance to the young people. Her nurturing work with IYCA in just a few months demonstrates to me an individual with dreams and a true understanding about the arts – of musicians, old and young, about what is needed, what works, what does not. Jennifer Glinzak is a wordly individual interested in seeing those around her succeed. On the podium, it is true the music. After rehearsals, it is through inspiration worlds to young artists. And as an arts administrator, with her fundraising talents, her grant writing skills, and her vision to work with legislators in increased funding from Washington. The world needs visionaries like Ms. Glinzak, one who is not afraid of risks and dare to dream. If her presence in arts administration will mirror her work with my nonprofit organization, the arts in America are in good hands!
In the six years as Founder and Executive Director of IYCA, I have worked with many internationally renowned guest conductors. I have never recommended anyone with such depth and detail as I have today with Jennifer Glinzak. She is more than a conductor to me. An asset to any organization, it is my great honor and pleasure to recommend Jennifer Glinzak to your attention. As a former IU Alumni (MM,1999), I know she will be an excellent addition to American University in the 2011-12 school year. You will not find a more suitable, a more convicted individual with dreams and passion as Ms. Glinzak.
Yours Truly,
Albert Wu
Executive Director, Irvine Young Concert Artists
Former Violin Professor, Vanguard University & Orange Coast College
Former First Violinist of Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Opera Pacific
