It’s been super uphill the last two weeks: Spotify keeps taking down podcast episodes, the new MemberPress Course setup is more cumbersome than I anticipated (but ooooooweee do I have some killer classes coming), someone keeps trying to steal my…
Hi friends! I’m officially putting together a no-spam email list with the intent of sending a handful of alerts throughout the year when a new class or in-person teaching date is announced. Over the years, I’ve had a few list…
I came across this video where the delightful Ray Chen challenges some Colburn students to do crazy things for a small cash reward or a free student level instrument. Now, what these kids—who are playing on extraordinary violins purchased for…
Persephone! Pollen! Political protests! Welcome to spring, friends
This month’s practice stream will be a little different: the last one had one of the attendees a little mystified as to why I didn’t do anything involving scales. I’m working on some pretty wild repertoire these days, so it’s…
For the first time since I shuttered Tamarack Arts (RIP, you were a good little org 🥹) I’d like to get a month-long focused class going. Please vote below to indicate interest. If you’d like to suggest a topic, you’re…
I was incredibly lucky with my first cello teacher, Catherine Graff MacLaughlin. You’ve probably heard me refer to her as my cello mom, a riff on Jackie calling William Pleeth her cello daddy. Fun fact: Cathy studied with Pleeth, too!…
Over the last few years, I’ve noticed a trend in community orchestras: the repertoire and rehearsal schedules are becoming INSANE. Programs featuring Liszt Les Préludes, Bartók Concerto for Orchestra, that wild Ellington/Strayhorn Nutcracker arrangement, Strauss tone poems, and the like.…
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It’s always fun to write about technique. Perhaps this is a sign of madness, but I really enjoy being assigned a massive task—in this case, creating a primer on thumb technique for beginners through advanced players—with a hard word count…