Calcutta has been called the Cultural Centre of India, where in the past, some of the great performing legends of western classical music have performed to her erudite and passionately devoted audiences. In recent years, this trend has been on the decrease; due perhaps to the tremendous costs of transport for those who come from abroad, maintenance and support of organizations and perhaps the sheer enormity of such undertakings.
However, since 2015, there has emerged the Kolkata Classics Club, formed by Jennifer Heemstra, whose commitment, energy and musical passion a series of six concert presentations per year has been assured. Each performer has played and shared their musical skills and knowledge not only on the concert stage but in schools both in the city and the suburbs, where they interacted with young people who had, perhaps, never before heard such music nor seen and touched western instruments.
Jennifer's spoken explanation and communication with the audience has always been delightfully articulate, instructive and not without an element of humour. She has been a willing performer at invitations to play to audiences big and small.
Jennifer has shared my views on musical education and endorsed my rejection of annual examination for the sake of a certificate in the primary and junior grades but the serious study and learning enjoyment of music as a holistic practice.
The KCC concerts are attended not only by die hard music aficionados of the city, but by a new breed of classical music lovers own pupils of the younger generation, fascinated by the pianistic skills and musical generosity that she has brought to us. My own pupils, inspired by her performance and passion have progressed remarkably!
The future promises a new element, where she has introduced a Health Fair combined with the music of the visiting artiste and local musicians! The first, of these, featured Chanda VanderHart with Jennifer in a four hands on one keyboard!
Thank you Jenny, for your spirit and charisma! We look forward to the series of 2016!
Fauzia Marikar, Journalist, India