Romania took hold of my heart in 2015 and since then has consumed my mind and soul. As with any genuine commitment, my relationship with this beautiful, complex country has grown and deepened over time as I have learned of its many tragedies, as well as its many triumphs. I have surrendered myself to Romania. [...] As I continue my Romanian journey, I marvel over the resiliency and fortitude of the people. I am fortunate to have developed close relationships, familial in many ways, with many Romanians. And I am eternally grateful to have been granted a Fulbright and honored to become part of this amazing community.
U.S. Fulbright Scholar Kevin Lawrence in Concert and Conversation
Violinist and professor Kevin Lawrence of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, currently affiliated with “Gheorghe Dima” National Academy of Music as a 2025-2026 U.S. Fulbright Scholar, recently completed a series of performances, lectures, and masterclasses in Brașov, Bucharest, and Cluj-Napoca.
On April 24, Lawrence and pianist Diana Ichim performed a recital at Transilvania University of Brașov as part of the university’s 2025-2026 concert season. Presented before an audience of approximately 100 attendees, the program featured works by Aaron Copland, Maurice Ravel, Wynton Marsalis, Augusta Read Thomas, and Paul Schoenfield, highlighting both established and contemporary American repertoire.
From April 27 to 29, Kevin Lawrence served as guest artist and educator at the National University of Music Bucharest. His residency began with a lecture on string pedagogy on April 27, followed by a recital in George Enescu Hall on April 28. The visit concluded with a masterclass on April 29, during which he coached eight chamber groups.
On May 6, Lawrence participated in the 18th Art and Education International Conference organized by the Gheorghe Dima National Academy of Music. He delivered a lecture entitled “Shaping the Rising Generation of Young Musicians: Thoughts from the American Experience,” exploring approaches to music education and professional training in the United States. Later that evening, Lawrence and Ichim performed their recital program as part of the conference’s artistic program.
Through these performances and educational activities, Lawrence shared a broad spectrum of American musical and pedagogical approaches with Romanian students, faculty members, and audiences, further advancing the Fulbright Program’s mission of academic and cultural exchange.