Ms. Nicole Pinnell – “Growing Your Superpowers”

How do musicians tackle the challenges of daily practice, learning new skills, playing expressively and developing virtuosity? They become practice superhero’s! Superhero’s tackle big problems with courage, determination, and creativity. Come learn new tools of connection and creativity to crush your practice!

 

Ms. Penny Tong – “Feel the Beat!”

Join a fun and interactive workshop where students explore the basics of rhythm, learn note values, and practice keeping a steady beat. Through clapping, movement, and games, students will build confidence and musical skills while creating their own exciting rhythms together.

 

Mr. Aaron Ashton – “Alternative Style for Advanced String Players”

Aaron Ashton returns to present the popular workshop teaching the basics of fiddling. Learn techniques like chopping, shuffle bowings, ornamentation and improvisation.

 

Dr. Vedrana Subotic – “Get Better Every Day – How to Organize and Structure Practice Time and Goals”

Students will explore proven strategies for breaking down difficult passages, setting measurable short-term goals, and building consistent habits that transform daily practice from repetition into purposeful progress. By the end of this session, each participant will leave with a personalized practice framework designed to accelerate growth between lessons.

 

Dr. Ka-Wai Yu – “If It Ain’t Baroque, Don’t Fix It! Exploring the Magic of Baroque Music”

How many Baroque masterworks do you know?  Can you play them in style? Bring your instruments to this session to learn about an overview of Baroque performance practice, covering topics such as period instruments, ornamentations, and a practical guide to perform your Bach, Vivaldi or Scarlatti piece expressively with the appropriate articulations!

 

Dr. Jeremy Starr – “Let’s Improvise!”

Feel the need to let loose and play what your soul wants and not just what is on a piece of sheet music?  Come experience the missing link in your playing and improvise!

 

Dr. Robert Bedont – “Overcoming Performance Anxiety”

Learn from Dr. Bedont how to effectively manage the mental and physical symptoms of performance anxiety. We will discuss tips and tricks to train your body and mind how to perform when the nerves are calling your name!

 

Mr. Kayson Brown – “The Life and Music of Beethoven!”

“I will take fate by the throat; it will never bend me completely to its will.” Looking to find power and purpose in your playing? Listen and learn from the GOAT in this blitz through the revolutionary life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven.

 

Dr. Jared Starr – “The Music Studio – Secrets of a Successful Private Teaching Studio”

Consistent income leads to predictability in a musician’s life.  Come learn how to successfully build a private teaching studio that can provide foundation to your financial needs as a professional musician while exploring other musical interests you love most.

 

Mr. Jacob Clark – “Pre-Performance Practice”

Confidence is not willpower, it is trust in what we know works. We’ll go over some of the best ways to prep for performance, from the practice room to backstage.

 

Mr. Aaron Ashton – “Alternative Style for Beginner and Intermediate String Players”

Aaron Ashton returns to present the popular workshop teaching the basics of improvisation in alternative styles by playing rhythm, learning how to back up, recognize chords, and play a set of basic chords. Learn the basic techniques of improvisation, such as chopping, shuffling, imitation, and call-and-response.

 

Dr. Carmen Hall – “Memorize with Confidence”

Build confidence in performing from memory. Come learn why memorization matters, explore effective strategies, and how to build your confidence when performing from memory.

 

Dr. Blanka Bednarz – “Gifts of Observation: How to Improve Quickly and Efficiently, Since None of Us Have Time to Practice 24/7”

“Have a concept, Listen, Hear, Play.” In that order. How many of us throw ourselves into playing and skip the first three? How often do we play without being fully in the movement and noticing everything? How often do we think the problem exists,  ex. in the left hand, but actually the solution may be in the right? Become your own detective, analyst, diagnostician and problem solver as early as possible.

 

Mrs. Angelica Salazar – “Physically Warming Up… Without Playing Any Actual Notes”

String players, come participate in this fun and interactive class where we will explore physical warm ups for various muscle groups that will help improve your endurance, flexibility, and reflexes! In addition to helping us improve our musical technique, properly warming up can also help prevent injuries. Bring your instrument and come ready to get a comprehensive workout!