The Toolkit

As I look forward to my first in-person concert with a live audience since before the pandemic, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the many and varied online concert experiences of this past year…

In March 2020, COVID-19 became a stark reality in the United States. I had just gotten home from a work trip to Washington D.C. involving engagement with hundreds of people, performances, shared meals, and group work sessions. How confusing, disorienting, and frightening to come home to an almost immediate stay-at-home order. In addition to the implications on the field and my own performing and teaching schedules…

We all know that it is beneficial to work in an attentive and mindful way. But, practically speaking, what does this mean? This spring, I created a virtual Practice Systems and Strategies Workshop to explore this exact question…

I am working on two concerti right now and have been thinking a lot about memorization. So that I’ll feel my best on stage, I like to memorize using a multi-layer approach for deep learning. Here are the approaches that I include in my preparation…

In this final part of the Audition series, we explore considerations when creating a video and/or online audition. This week’s guests, Astrid Schween (The Juilliard School, cello), Danielle Belen (University of Michigan, violin), and Patricia Weitzel (Columbus State University, double bass) share their insights…

In Part 2 of the Audition series, we continue our conversation with Astrid Schween (The Juilliard School, cello), Danielle Belen (University of Michigan, violin), and Patricia Weitzel (Columbus State University, double bass). We explore what makes a candidate stand out and some common audition mistakes…

In the midst of college and festival audition season, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what makes a successful audition. I connected with three inspiring artists and pedagogues to ask their perspectives on preparation, the audition process, and the added challenge of completing an online or recorded audition with limitations due to COVID-19…

From Beginners to Professionals, we all benefit from etudes as part of a balanced violin diet. Here are a few of my favorites etudes…

In March 2020, COVID-19 became a stark reality in the United States. I had just gotten home from a work trip to Washington D.C. involving engagement with hundreds of people, performances, shared meals, and group work sessions. How confusing, disorienting, and frightening to come home to an almost immediate stay-at-home order. In addition to the implications on the field and my own performing and teaching schedules…

It is tricky to slow down and warm up when balancing a busy work, performance, and travel schedule. And, it always feels like we need to warm up in strange and uncomfortable situations: when we are tired, in freezing dressing rooms, in a hotel room with a practice mute…