SUNY Potsdam

« Back to Recent News

SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music to Host Renowned Panamanian Cellist Isaac Casal in Virtual Masterclass

Zoom Masterclass Draws From Wide Range of Musical Languages

by Bret Yager

Potsdam, NY (10/02/2020) — Bringing international flavor to the North Country through virtual means, Panamanian cellist Dr. Isaac Casal will join the cello studio of SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music's Dr. Marie-Elaine Gagnon for a Zoom masterclass on the works of Sir Edward Elgar and Nicolaï Miacovsky. The class takes place on Monday, Oct. 5 from 5:20-6:10 p.m.

For more information and a Zoom link to the masterclass, please contact Gagnon at gagnonmc@potsdam.edu.

Casal is a versatile, classically-trained cellist whose trademark is built around the concepts of performance variety and flexibility, covering a range of musical languages that span classical, world, Latin and folk Panamanian music. The cellist has brought international recognition to his country through his artistry. His virtual collaboration with Gagnon, a Crane assistant professor of cello, proves that global connections, innovative learning and broader horizons can still prevail during COVID-19.

Casal has performed numerous solo recitals, chamber and orchestral music concerts, and has been a soloist throughout Africa, Europe and the Americas. He has been recognized for his entrepreneurship and commitment to the development of younger musicians. A visionary of his generation, Casal founded Sinfonía Concertante Foundation of Panama at age 25, increasing educational music programs for low-income children and youth - including an orchestra system for high-risk children. He is the artistic director and founder of the Alfredo Saint-Malo Music Festival of Panama, an annual weeklong festival that has become one of the most important music festivals of the Central American region. He is also visiting cello faculty at the University of Panama School of Music and director of the University of Panama Cello Ensemble.

About The Crane School of Music:

Founded in 1886, SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music has a long legacy of excellence in music education and performance. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures and concerts presented by faculty, students and guests each year. The Crane School of Music is the State University of New York's only All-Steinway institution. For more information, please visit www.potsdam.edu/crane.

Photo caption: Isaac Casal, a renowned cellist of Panama, will join SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music for a Zoom masterclass Oct. 5 on the works of Sir Edward Elgar and Nicolaï Miacovsky.

Media Attachments

Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out