DePaul University will host a pioneering application of Internet2 distance learning technology Oct. 31 when it links music students in Chicago with celebrated violinist Pinchas Zukerman for live, interactive music lessons that also will include students in New York, Monterrey, Mexico and Ottawa, Canada.

To participate in the interactive lessons, students from DePaul’s School of Music and the Rachel Carson Elementary School will use video conferencing technology and an Internet2 link in room 120 of DePaul’s Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffeld Ave. Zukerman will conduct the lessons from Monterrey through similar technology, which will connect him to DePaul and the other participating sites.

From 1:30 to 2:30, the maestro will teach South Side sixth-grade students visiting DePaul from the Rachel Carson School, as well as school children in Monterrey and Ottawa about Mozart’s music. Spanish and French translators will interpret his lessons for the students in Canada and Mexico.

The demonstration represents the first time Internet2 will be used to connect three locations for educational purposes, according to Donald Casey, DePaul School of Music dean. “The goal is to show how Internet2 can provide students anywhere educational access to distinguished artists in their field,” he said.

Casey said technology links such as this one can address the problem of cutbacks in music education programs that have led to fewer opportunities for arts organizations to bring in distinguished composers and musicians for lessons with area students. “We hope that these sessions not only give students a rare opportunity to study with a master musician, but also inspire other educators to use this new technology to connect their students with distinguished artists and thinkers.”

Zukerman, conductor of National Arts Centre of Canada Orchestra, is a strong advocate of music education and is as a technology enthusiast. The music education event involving DePaul is on of 70 education activities he and the National Arts Centre are sponsoring during the orchestra’s 17-day tour of the United States and Mexico Oct. 31 to Nov. 16.

DePaul’s leadership in distance learning technology aided the partnership with the National Arts Centre to bring Zukerman’s lessons to Chicago students, said Joe Salwach, associate vice president of information and application support at DePaul. Salwach and DePaul’s information services division have been working with staff from the music school, DePaul’s library and the National Arts Centre to present the learning event on Internet2, the high-speed version of the Internet primarily used by academic and research institutions.

“DePaul has been a member of the consortium of 202 universities that supports Internet2 for a while, but this is the first time the university has used the advanced technology to enhance the student experience in this way,” Salwach said. “We’re connected to the technology highway, and now there’s this new autobahn. We’re excited to try it out.”

Editor’s Note: Journalists interested in covering the Internet2 music lessons should contact Shawn Malayter, DePaul Media Relations at 312/362-6978 or smalayte@depaul.edu.