iCONNECT 2025
ICI’s program for younger cellists:
ages 9 - 14 years old
Dates: July 21 - July 26, 2025
NOTE: due to the popularity of iConnect, we have added an extra day to our program for younger cellists! Join us this summer from Monday through Saturday (July 21-July 26, 2025).
About the iConnect Program
The iConnect Program focuses on providing unique learning experiences along with mentorship opportunities for young cellists ages 9-14. Held from Monday through Saturday concurrently with the main ICI program, our younger cellists develop their abilities and engage with their peers as well as older mentors in a friendly, supportive environment.
During the summer, our in-person iConnect program is held concurrently with the primary ICI Program for older students. iConnect students have the option of commuting to St. Olaf College; non-local students and families can choose to be housed on campus or can find their own accommodations in Northfield. Lessons are taught by iConnect core faculty, and masterclasses are led by distinguished guest clinicians.
IN-PERSON PROGRAM
Dates: July 21 - 26, 2025
Level Required: Intermediate (Suzuki Book 3 or equivalent). There is no maximum level, and advanced students ages 9-14 are welcome.
Tuition: $550 (does not include room and board)
Location: St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota
Application Fee: $35
The in-person iConnect experience will include two private lessons with iConnect staff instructors, group classes, ensemble coachings, a masterclass with a guest clinician, and a final performance. iConnect students will also have the option of attending ICI masterclasses and recitals presented by world-class cellists, and opportunities for social interaction and mentorship with older ICI students.
Application Video Guidelines
To ensure that students are of the appropriate ability level for iConnect participation and to help us make decisions about ensemble placement, we ask that all applicants submit a current video of their solo cello playing. The recording should consist of one piece, played in its entirety, that best represents their current ability level.
The video can be made at home or school or from a recent performance if the quality is sufficient. If you don't have access to more comprehensive equipment, an iPhone or iPad should be sufficient for producing a quality recording. We also recommend that you record in a quiet space with no background noise and adequate lighting and arrange the camera so that we can see the entirety of your body and the cello.
SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
9:00am - 9:45am: Private lessons or individual practice time
10:00am -10:45am: Group Class or Masterclass
11:00am - 11:45am: Private lessons or individual practice time
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch Break
1:00pm - 1:45pm: Cello Ensembles (only for in-person program)
2:00pm - 4:30pm: Optional attendance at masterclass or activities in the main ICI program
(live-streamed for our virtual students)
7:00pm -9:00pm: Optional attendance at concerts/recitals in the main ICI program on select dates. Keep an eye on our calendar to see who's playing and when! (some are live-streamed for our virtual students)
iCONNECT FACULTY
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Zachary Preucil
iCONNECT DIRECTOR
Dr. Zachary Preucil is currently serving as Interim Artist/Teacher of Cello at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point for the 2023-2024 academic year. He also serves as principal cellist of the La Crosse Symphony and is a founding member of Trio des Éléments. Additionally, Dr. Preucil maintains a private cello studio for all ages in Madison, Wisconsin and online at the Virtu Academy program, and is active as a performer and guest clinician throughout the midwest. Previously, he served on the faculties of Carroll University, the Music Institute of Chicago, the Kanack School of Musical Artistry, Music for Youth of Arlington Heights, and the UW-Madison Community Music School. Dr. Preucil holds a D.M.A. in Cello Performance with a minor in Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.M. in Cello Performance and Arts Leadership Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, and B.M. in Cello Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. His primary cello teachers have included Uri Vardi, David Ying, Yeesun Kim, and Walter Preucil; he also has registered training in the Suzuki Cello Method with Dr. Tanya Carey, Jean Dexter and Rick Mooney, and completed teacher trainer certification in the Creative Ability Development improvisation method with Alice Kanack.
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Adalus Low-Manzini
iCONNECT FACULTY
Adalus Low-Manzini is an emerging Venezuelan cellist based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she is pursuing a Specialist’s of Music degree in Cello Performance with Professor Amir Eldan at the University of Michigan. She was awarded the Sphinx Organization Scholarship which allows one Black or Latinx student every year to pursue a degree at Michigan. She received her Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance from Louisiana State University in May 2021, studying with Dennis Parker, and a Master’s Degree in Cello in April 2023 from the University of Michigan. At present, Adalus carries out an important activity as a musician that includes both pedagogy, as well as chamber and orchestral music. From 2019 to 2021, Adalus was a cello teaching artist at Kids' Orchestra (an “El Sistema” inspired music program), where she taught cello to elementary and middle school children in the Baton Rouge area. Previously, she taught for over five years in El Sistema in Venezuela. Low-Manzini has been able to build her private cello studio of students from preparatory to advanced levels between the ages of 8 and 20 in the Ann Arbor area.
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Meghan McGuire
iCONNECT FACULTY
Meghan grew up in Minneapolis Minnesota , and started playing the cello at age three. She performed for Yo-Yo Ma when she was fourteen years old and made her solo debut with the Minnesota Orchestra a year later. She has participated at the Aspen Music Festival and the Castleman Quartet Program, and spent multiple summers at Madeline Island Music Camp. Meghan studied with Bonnie Hampton at The San Francisco Conservatory, and with Lubomir Georgiev at The Florida State University, School of Music. She has played with the Atlanta Symphony, Opera, and Ballet Orchestras and has collaborated with members of the Atlanta Symphony on numerous occasions. In addition to performing throughout the Twin Cities, Meghan is an experienced coach, clinician, adjudicator, and private instructor, and was the orchestra teacher at Visitation School in St. Paul from 2017-2023.