The University of Louisville Alumni Magazine: for alumni, faculty, staff, students and anyone that is a UofL Cardinal fan.
Issue link: https://louisville.epubxp.com/i/43017
Highlights Noteworthy: Piano professor raises school's profi le Dror Biran fell in love with a piano at the age of three. Listening only to the radio, he soon could play by ear, without a teacher to guide him. A family friend shared his collection of some of the world's greatest music with young Biran, who would practice the pieces over and over until he had the notes down pat. At nine, he was improvising and composing his own music. His fi rst instructor opened a score for Biran to play and was astounded that the gifted pianist beside him could not read a note. "Music was a passion for me," Biran said. "I would listen and play a piece 500 times to get it right." Born in Ashdod, Israel, Biran and his family moved to Tel Aviv to further his education. He ultimately became one of Israel's most admired and gifted pianists, with superb tonal control and unique style. A graduate of the Givataim Conservatory, Biran studied at the Rubin Academy of Music at Tel Aviv University, winning top prizes at numerous international competitions. He also performed as a soloist with major orches- tras around the world, including those in Lithuania, Spain, South Africa and Israel. Scholarships assisted his PhD studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music. In 2009 he came to UofL, selected from more than 100 candidates to replace Brenda Kee, who joined Lee Luvisi as professor emeritus. "This position is a career honor for me," Biran said. "I'm proud to be part of the tradition established by Brenda and Lee. The value the School of Music has for strong performers, and its goal to become 'All Steinway' also attracted me." Grateful for his multiple scholarships, Biran has decided to give that same opportu- nity to others. "Scholarships and the acts of kindness opened doors for me," said Biran. "I came from a small country with limited opportunity and could not have followed my dreams without the aid of so many." Thus, Biran and the School of Music are creating a piano concert series to support piano and string scholarships, starting this fall with a feature on the works of Brahms. "Each year I hope to honor a different composer," Biran said. "But the main goal is to help students who have the ability but lack the funds to develop their talent. "The school and the city have a lot to offer in ways I did not expect," he continued. "The cultural life and legacy are incredible. I want to bring the best in the world to come here and experience it, too." Season tickets to the Piano Concert Series in Margaret Comstock Concert Hall are $50. Call 502-852-6186 or visit www.Louisville.edu/music for information. 40|LOUISVILLE.EDU Students take top honors in business competitions Students and faculty at the College of Business made a strong showing in summer competitions. In July, students took top prizes in UofL's Global Business Plan Competition. The contest featured fi ve new business concepts developed by 23 UofL MBA students from Germany, Russia and New Zealand. "This year we had game-changing concepts backed with international experience," said Suzanne Bergmeister, UofL Forcht Center entrepreneur-in-residence and contest moderator. Style Box, a web-based fashion shopping con- cept, won fi rst-place honors in the trade show event, while Lock 'n Roll, a ski trolley and antitheft system, won the fast pitch event. Other concepts included Shopper Locker, an online grocery purchase and storage service; Facelet, a bracelet equipped with communications technology; and Get It! Adventure Shopping, a smartphone application offering on- demand advertising. The winning teams will return in October to compete in the business school's Ballard Morton New Venture Competition. Also this summer, fi nance majors in Russ Ray's capstone class took top honors in the Sterne Agee Investment Competition, a contest in which teams try to get the best return on a $50,000 investment. It was the third time in a row Ray's students have won the contest and the fourth time in the last six years they have placed at the top. UofL's team posted a 21.85 percent return over seven months, besting fi nance students at University of Alabama, Georgia, Auburn and University of Mississippi. Half of the team's $11,000 cash prize will be used to fund student scholarships at UofL's business school. COLLEGE OF BUSINESS SCHOOL OF MUSIC