SPECIAL TOPICS CLASSES
Professional violists will be leading classes addressing the unique aspects of the viola. Sharpen your skills and learn something new! Each participant will have a chance to select two classes from an array of several that will be offered.

THE BACH SUITES (Pamela Goldsmith)
The Suites for cello have become standard literature for violists and there are many different ideas about how to play them. Which edition should you choose? Are they really dances? What about 'historically accurate' Baroque style? These topics and others will be covered in this class. for Advanced and High School Advanced violists.

SCHREDDING SCHRADIECK (Minor L. Wetzel)
Do you feel the need for speed? We all feel the need or at least periodically have the requirement for speed in the left hand. As violists we learn early on how important it is to practice passage work slowly but when we transition from slow work with a metronome to faster tempos, sometimes tension can creep in and prevent us from achieving the desired tempo with the kind of ease that we want. Schradieck (The school of Violin – Techniques) is a great resource for finger pattern and speed work and is the departure point for this class on achieving left – hand finger velocity with minimal tension.

A IS FOR AWESOME, A IS FOR ALTO CLEF (Kattie Cavallaro)
Learning to read music can be just like learning a new language. In fact, music is its own language! And viola is the only instrument to read alto clef! Is it hard to learn? No, not with some practice! In this class, that is just what the students will do, practice reading alto clef. Students will learn some tricks to help make note reading easier and more efficient. There will be an opportunity to test out these note reading lessons with games and prizes! This class is perfect for beginning students and young violinists who are interested in becoming violists. For Beginner level.

SWITCHING FROM VIOLIN TO VIOLA (Patrick Rosalez)
This special topics class will be an interactive class in which we explore the many similarities and differences between the violin and the viola. Students will begin learning to read the alto clef, discover the C string, learn about ringing tones on the viola, and learn a piece that we will perform together as an ensemble for the final concert of the day.

IMPROVISATION (Daryl Silberman)
Beginning Improvisation: Leave the music behind, it's time to have some creative fun with our instrument. This class is for beginning - intermediate students. We will romp quickly through the improv world - free improv, structured improv, call and response, and maybe have a little time for some rock, blues, and fiddle music. For Beginner and Intermediate violists.
Intermediate Improvisation: Leave the music behind, it's time to have some more fun with our instrument. This class is for intermediate to advanced students. We will do some unstructured improv (including some machine-like improv circles) and structured improv (including 1, 2, and 3 chord improvisations in rock, blues, and fiddle styles). For Advanced and High School Advanced violists.