Announcing Rental Instrument LLC, providing musical instrument rental to Connecticut and nationwide
WESTPORT, August 26, 2010 - Kenneth Kuo, an award-winning cellist and founder of the Connecticut School of Music, is taking his musical expertise in a brand new direction.
Kuo is currently masterminding a line of stringed instruments that will be available for rent and purchase when he launches his new business, Rental Instrument LLC, this month.
Rental Instrument LLC (www.rentalinstrument.com), based in Greenwich and Westport, will offer band and orchestral instruments to musicians throughout Fairfield County. The venture will provide violins, violas, cellos and bass as well as woodwind and brass instruments, including flutes, clarinets, saxophones, baritones, trumpets and trombones and more. Percussion instruments will be added in the near future.
Kuo says that his interest in designing stringed instruments is a natural progression for him as a performing artist. “I have had a longstanding fascination with the craftsmanship of the instruments that I play,” he says. “In starting this new business, I want to offer only instruments that meet my standards.”
His appreciation for quality came at an early age. “At the age of 10, I had the good fortune to play on an 1867 French cello crafted by J.B. Viulliume. The cello was a gift to me, presented by Yo Yo Ma's father,” Kuo recalls. “Presently, I perform and record on a 1735 cello crafted by Francesco Goffriller of Italy. Playing on great instruments throughout my life has really helped me to understand the importance of tonal quality in a musical performance.”
His knowledge of design was enhanced during his time at the Juilliard School. “In addition to my academic studies, I became mesmerized with the art of the lutherie,” he explains. “I would frequent the shops near Juilliard and I had the extreme privilege of learning directly from the masters.”
His mentors include the late Jacques Francais, an expert on violins who belonged to a 200-year line of luthiers; René A. Morel, who is highly regarded by leading international string players as "arguably the best violin restorer in the world” and Carlos Arcieri, an expert violin maker and restorer of this generation who has taken care of Kuo's cellos.
“I learned directly from these master craftsmen and became well aware that there is a significant difference between a craftsman and a carpenter,” Kuo says. "My line of instruments will reflect that."
In the new company, Kuo is manufacturing a new line of products that will go by the name of Davidoff. “The Davidoff line is being manufactured in Beijing. The instruments are based on those by Stradivarius and Guarnerius. These instruments are designed to meet the budget and quality for a budding young musician. I will oversee the construction, the varnish and the accessories,” he says. “We will have a range of products available since different level of players will need different level of instruments.”
In addition to newly made instruments, Rental Instrument LLC has access to an impressive series of products that were manufactured 30 to 40 years ago in Germany and Romania. “These vintage instruments are made by Pfretzschner, Hofner, Enesco, Roma and other, yet they have never been removed from their boxes,” states Kuo. “These instruments are perfectly aged and ready to be play on. In essence, they are brand new since they have never been exposed to the elements or played by any musician at any time.”
By forming Rental Instrument LLC, Kuo intends to provide area musicians with a range of high-quality instruments available at affordable prices. He also has devised a rent-to-own program that will allow musicians to build equity towards owning their instrument. “We have created a very flexible program that will ensure our customers get the best value for their investments,” he said.
Kuo’s goal is to make the Davidoff line of instruments available to students of all economic backgrounds and all performance levels. “Instruments are not available in a one-size-fits-all option,” he explains. “Often, young students will outgrow their first instrument as they mature and as their performing skills develop. Renting is an economical solution to investing in a starter instrument.
“Plus, our instruments will be offered in a broad range of sizes and suited for a variety of performance qualities,” he adds. “Through Rental Instrument LLC, musicians will have access to a beginner violin valued at $500 to an 18th-century Italian masterpiece that is worth in the millions of dollars.”
The thrust of the new business will include making band and orchestral instruments available to those who cannot afford them. As the administrator of Greenwich Alliance for Education’s Tuning in to Music program, Kuo is dedicated to providing instruments to those who are under-served. “I want everyone to have the opportunity to develop their musical talents,” he says. “Through this foundation we will reach out to those who are in need.”
Kuo, who is a strong believer in the need for musical education in the school system, is currently providing instruments to several schools in New York and Fairfield County. He ultimately hopes to expand www.rentalinstrument.com to a nationwide audience.
The new venture provides maintenance and repair of the rentals. “We also offer no-cost consultations and measuring to provide the instrument that best suits the performer,” Kuo says. “Unlike general products in the market, musical instruments are unique and no two instrument sound identical. Buyers, particularly parents who are purchasing for their children, really need a special consultation before purchasing an instrument to avoid making costly financial mistakes.”
Hailed by the Sydney Morning Herald as a "cellist with great facility and confidence, and Strings magazine as a cellist "with effortless technique, a beautiful, warm tone, and an unabashedly romantic soul", Kuo wants to spread his passion for music to as many students as possible.
“I want to make it affordable for every musician to play on a good-quality product,” he said. “Our pricing is gentle and we are accommodating so that we can provide the best customer experience possible for those who use our instruments.”
About Ken Kuo
Kuo began his cello studies at the age of four, and by eight won the first of three consecutive City Youth Cello Competition awards. In 1986 he enrolled in the Preparatory Division at the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Marion Feldman. He continued his studies with Harvey Shapiro at The Juilliard School, where he received his bachelor's degree. In 1997, he received a full scholarship to enroll in a master’s program at Yale University where he studied with Aldo Parisot. Upon graduating, he received the Aldo Parisot Prize in recognition of his high achievements while at Yale.
Kuo has performed throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas in such venues as Avery Fisher and Alice Tully Halls at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, Taiwan National Concert Hall, and Sydney Town Hall with such artists as Pierre Boulez, Itzhak Perlman, Aldo Parisot and Erick Friedman.
In January, 2000, he was invited to play for President Lee of Taiwan, and has been invited every year to represent musicians for the Sept. 11 Memorials in Connecticut by Governor Jodi Rell.
Aside from his classical performances, Kuo has recorded two albums for Jingo Records of Taiwan, The Memories of Boom Mi Pon and Splendid Adventure. Both albums were nominated for "Best Crossover Instrumental Album" by the Golden Music Awards in Taiwan. His latest album, The Sky You Decide, recorded on Virgin Records, was featured on Taiwan's San Li television studio for its Discovery, Food, and History Channels. His crossover work also includes collaborations with numerous Asian pop superstars and independent pop and folk artists from around the world, marking him as one of the top-selling instrumentalists in Asia.
Along with being the founder and president of The Connecticut School of Music in Westport and Greenwich, Kuo is also the creator of the Connecticut Musical Artists Foundation, a nonprofit organization which assists students with musical and financial needs. He has held positions at Yale University, Taiwan National Teachers College, Thames Valley Music School in Connecticut College, Ithaca Violoncello Institute, University Antonio Nanino in Colombia and the New England Music Camp. Kuo is also the Director of Classical Music Service, a chamber music management agency
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