Violinists wanted: Well known Slovak violinist to teach master classes

The National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library is looking for talented student musicians to take part in a master class with Slovak violinist Filip Pagody.

Pagody, who also is a male model, is well known in the violin world as someone who not only plays classical pieces, but also modern songs such as 'Firework” by pop star Katy Perry. He played a small part on 'Louis,” Louis CK's show, as a subway violinist.

Pagody will be in Cedar Rapids for a concert at 7 p.m. April 25 the Czech Museum's WFLA/ZCBJ Heritage Hall.

Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for the general public. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there will be a cash bar available. Tickets can be purchased online via the museum's website.

Preston Moore, director of marketing & communications for the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, said the museum also asked Pagody to teach master classes to students while he's in town.

'He likes working with young people who are interested in the music,” Moore said.

The free half-hour master classes will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 26 at the museum and are open to students in sixth through 12th grades, though younger talented students also would be welcome, Moore said.

Students interested in attending the classes should record a video less than five minutes in length of them playing one or two selections. The videos can be uploaded to YouTube or shared as video files.

'We have room for 14 or 15 more,” Moore said. 'We'd rather keep him busy.”

The files should be emailed to Sara Jacobmeyer at sjacobmeyer@ncsml.org by Saturday. Those selected for the classes will be notified by April 1.

'It really is a great opportunity,” Moore said. 'He's very well known and respected in the violin world. He's got a very impressive resume and background. It would really be a treat for people playing violin.”