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X-WR-CALNAME:Welcome to the American Viola Society!
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Welcome to the American Viola Society!
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T100000
DTSTAMP:20260501T194621
CREATED:20260207T035209Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T165553Z
UID:47069-1780563600-1780567200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:5 Rhythms Workshop in Honor of Karen Ritscher (1952–2025)\, led by Jeffrey Boyton
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nTeacher:\nJeffrey Boynton\nJoin Jeffrey Boynton for a special 5 Rhythms workshop honoring the life and legacy of violist and educator Karen Ritscher. Rooted in movement\, rhythm\, and creative expression\, this guided session invites participants to explore the connection between body\, breath\, and musicality. Celebrating Karen’s spirit of openness\, curiosity\, and holistic artistry\, the workshop offers a meaningful space for reflection\, renewal\, and connection through movement.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/5-rhythms-workshop-in-honor-of-karen-ritscher-1952-2025-led-by-jeffrey-boyton/
LOCATION:Room 108/Large Band Room (Music)
CATEGORIES:Workshop
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T230000
DTSTAMP:20260501T194621
CREATED:20260207T035141Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T193530Z
UID:47046-1780567200-1780614000@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Flow and Movement in Viola Bowing: Applying Paul Rolland’s Transformative Techniques
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter:\nBraunwin Sheldrick\nThis session introduces Paul Rolland’s motion-based pedagogy as applied to viola bowing\, with a focus on developing freedom\, balance\, and ease of movement. Rolland’s principles—natural posture\, balanced arm motion\, and tension-free playing—will be explored through demonstration and guided participant activities. \nWe will address how these concepts apply to select bow strokes such as détaché\, legato\, and basic string crossings\, using targeted exercises to promote fluid motion and coordinated technique. Participants will have opportunities to experience these movements directly and consider how they might be incorporated into their own practice and teaching. \nDesigned for viola instructors\, performers\, and advanced students\, this workshop offers practical strategies for integrating Rolland’s principles into daily playing. Attendees will leave with a concise set of tools to foster healthy\, efficient bowing habits and greater expressive potential in their own playing and in their students.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/flow-and-movement-in-viola-bowing-applying-paul-rollands-transformative-techniques/
LOCATION:B71 (Music Building)
CATEGORIES:Workshop
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T120000
DTSTAMP:20260501T194621
CREATED:20260207T035128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T025736Z
UID:47071-1780570800-1780574400@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Deep Listening and Improvisation: Expanding Your Viola Practice Through Sound Awareness
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter:\nFreya Downey\nThis interactive workshop introduces violists to Pauline Oliveros’s “Deep Listening” technique and structured improvisation as tools for expanding artistic expression and enhancing practice effectiveness. Participants will engage in hands-on activities that demonstrate how mindful listening and guided improvisation can transform both individual practice and ensemble playing. \nThe session begins with foundational Deep Listening exercises designed to heighten sound awareness and environmental sensitivity. Participants will explore listening techniques that extend beyond traditional musical training\, developing skills in sonic attention\, acoustic space awareness\, and responsive listening. These exercises do require instruments\, but do invite them. \nMoving into improvisation\, the workshop builds on Deep Listening with frameworks that make improvisation accessible to violists at all levels. Through guided exercises\, participants will practice melodic exploration\, rhythmic variation\, and textural experimentation within supportive parameters. These activities demonstrate how improvisation can enhance technical development\, musical creativity\, and performance confidence.\nThe workshop includes collaborative sound-making activities where participants create collective improvisations using their violas alongside voice and body percussion. These exercises illustrate how improvisation\, and Deep Listening principles foster empathetic musical interaction and community building within ensemble settings. \nPractical applications focus on integrating these techniques into daily practice routines\, teaching scenarios\, and performance preparation. Participants will learn specific exercises for developing improvisational skills\, methods for incorporating Deep Listening into technical work\, and strategies for creating inclusive musical environments. \nAll activities are designed to be immediately applicable\, providing participants with concrete tools they can use in their studios\, practice rooms\, and performance contexts. The workshop welcomes violists from student to professional levels\, emphasizing exploration and experiential learning over theoretical discussion.\nFormat: 40-minute interactive workshop plus 10-minute Q&A \nParticipants are highly encouraged to bring their violas\, although not required.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/deep-listening-and-improvisation-expanding-your-viola-practice-through-sound-awareness/
LOCATION:Room 108/Large Band Room (Music)
CATEGORIES:Workshop
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T143000
DTSTAMP:20260501T194621
CREATED:20260207T035622Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T025030Z
UID:47073-1780579800-1780583400@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Trauma-Informed Workshop with Nicole Melrose
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresenter:\nNicole Melrose\nNicole Melrose leads this thoughtful workshop exploring trauma-informed approaches to music teaching\, learning\, and performance. Participants will gain insight into creating supportive\, inclusive environments that promote safety\, trust\, and artistic growth. This session offers practical strategies for educators and performers to foster resilience\, awareness\, and well-being within the musical community. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/trauma-informed-workshop-with-nicole-melrose/
LOCATION:Room 108/Large Band Room (Music)
CATEGORIES:Workshop
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T153000
DTSTAMP:20260501T194621
CREATED:20260207T035443Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T193610Z
UID:47048-1780583400-1780587000@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Exploring Just Intonation Through Double Stops
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter:\nMolly Sharp\nAs classical music includes so much one-on-one teaching\, many of our skills are learned practically through oral tradition. Because of this\, many teachers assume that their students will “figure it out” with enough practice\, time\, and experience. Intonation\, and especially Just Intonation\, is one of those subjects. Several books have been written about Just Intonation\, but they mainly focus on the theoretical. For these reasons\, I created a practical guide so that musicians can apply and hear the concepts of Just Intonation immediately. \nWhile this workshop is about tuning\, it’s actually about more than that. \nIt’s about deep listening\, exploring the edges of resonance\, and increasing your awareness of what you hear and feel while playing. It’s about developing a deep and focused sound\, which is so crucial for good viola playing. \nThis session will be experiential\, and I will recruit 4 participants (most likely students) in advance from the participants of the AVS festival. I will lead them through experiments with sound production\, explore what gets in the way of good sound and good intonation\, and systematically go through tuning intervals and chords. \nThose who are not playing will also be able to hear when intervals and chords achieve maximum resonance.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/exploring-just-intonation-through-double-stops/
LOCATION:B71 (Music Building)
CATEGORIES:Workshop
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T163000
DTSTAMP:20260501T194621
CREATED:20260207T035419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T024614Z
UID:47075-1780587000-1780590600@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Secrets of Playing Polyphonic Music on Viola (or Violin)
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter:\nMikhail “Misha” Galaganov\nPlaying simultaneous melodies in double stops or hidden polyphony in single musical lines of Baroque pieces often presents technical and musical challenges. Most solo works by Bach\, Telemann\, and other Baroque composers are full of such difficulties\, not only in fugal music and works of complex textures with multiple independent voices\, but also in dances and other movements. Yet\, a few simple guidelines and technical secrets make performances of multi-voice compositions much more understandable for listeners and much simpler for performers themselves. \nThe part 1 of the workshop will consist of explanation and demonstration of simple techniques and rules\, with all participants being able to follow the examples on the handouts. \nPart 2 of the session will engage participants in a guided practice of each (secret) technique using simple short excepts from solo works by Bach and Telemann. No advance preparation will be needed for attendees to fully participate in the process. Music will be provided to participants via handouts. \nThe workshop will conclude with a 10-minute Q&A session\, during which other questions or concerns could be addressed and discussed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/secrets-of-playing-polyphonic-music-on-viola-or-violin/
LOCATION:Room 108/Large Band Room (Music)
CATEGORIES:Workshop
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T163000
DTSTAMP:20260501T194621
CREATED:20260207T035424Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260404T212954Z
UID:47064-1780587000-1780590600@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Teacher in Residence: Conductivity: Peter Slowik’s Approach to Energy Transfer in String Playing
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenters:\nPeter Slowik\nLauren Hodges\nA popular phrase these days is “there is no such thing as advanced technique – only advanced applications of basic technique.” The pathway to artist-level viola playing is predicated on mastery of a significant number of “basic” techniques. \nThis presentation is part of a larger project that is currently being undertaken by Peter Slowik and Lauren Hodges. This project will gather a variety of Slowik’s significant technical ideas\, presenting them in formats that can benefit players and teachers beyond his immediate viola studio at Oberlin Conservatory (or AVS workshops!) The completed project will include printed text and a companion website with teaching videos focusing on several aspects of viola technique. Feedback from this workshop will be used to focus the upcoming dissemination of information. \nProfessor Slowik has had an extensive career as a performer and teacher at institutions such as Oberlin Conservatory\, Northwestern University\, Indiana University\, the Cleveland Institute of Music\, and the Eastman School of Music. A former president of AVS and founder of Credo music festival\, Slowik has placed students into prominent academic and orchestral positions nationwide. Mr. Slowik is widely regarded as one of the leading viola pedagogues of his generation. \nSlowik’s 45 years of teaching experience has given him the opportunity to distill some of viola pedagogy’s most vexing problems into sequential pathways – a “prescription” to follow to master the concept. These pathways start by identifying the basic problem\, sort it into digestible segments\, and then applying exercises to master each segment of the problem. In this session Slowik will share insight into Fingerboard Geography\, Shifting\, and Spiccato. \nLauren Hodges\, Associate Professor of Viola at the University of Florida\, has done extensive pedagogical projects based on the teachings of Paul Rolland and Karen Tuttle\, and she is helping Slowik organize\, compile\, and record pedagogical materials for posterity.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/teacher-in-residence-peter-slowiks-approach-for-mastering-fingerboard-geography-shifting-and-spiccato/
LOCATION:Room 119 (Music)
CATEGORIES:Workshop,AVSF Teacher In Residence
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