Teacher Workshop:

Teaching the Cello to Children

June 28-July 1, 2012

Faculty: Scott Cook, Trischa Loebl, Alana Dust

Presented by the String Academy of Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Because children learn differently than adults, the foundations of a child’s technique and tone depend very much on the ability of the first string teacher to provide instruction adapted to a child’s motor skills and understanding. The course is designed for private studio teachers and public school string teachers with students between the ages of four and eighteen. It is intended to validate teaching techniques and introduce new ideas of how best to set the foundations for young cellists using ideas from Shinichi Suzuki, Paul Rolland and the extensive experience of the String Academy faculty. Seminar topics include:

Setting the stage: teaching and guiding students and parents through the important first lessons.
Musical foundations: introducing the, language of music at the earliest stages; developing an ear which discerns the relationship between sound and meaning.
Finding the sound: ideas for finding the balance of the bow and the left hand; the release of tension; the meaningful vibrato.
Principles of teaching: strategy, setting teaching goals for students and achieving them.
The sequence: technique married to musicianship through clear goals; teaching without leaving holes in the student’s development.
Seeking virtuosity: a continuation of the Sequence through to artist-level repertoire.
Secure intonation: the hand frame, shifting, thumb position and “wiring the brain” for success.
Music theory: how and why music theory is important to every musician.
Cello literature: a guide to the cello solo and technical repertoire and its application toteaching.
Group instruction: ideas for organization and repertoire.
Rehabilitation of incorrect beginnings: ideas to help the teacher and student shift briefly into reverse.

Scott Cook has taught at every level and in every possible teaching environment, at the college level with positions at The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Converse College, Carroll University, Alverno College and Limestone College, and at the pre-college level, The String Academy of Wisconsin at the University of WI-Milwaukee, Converse College and the Greenville County Schools in South Carolina.

He is the artistic director of the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival Workshop and the director of the annual international teaching workshop, “Teaching Cello to Children” at the String Academy of WI. As a performer, he held principal positions in the Greenville, Waukesha and Racine Symphonies as well as the Skylight Opera. He is a frequent recitalist appearing at the Swannanoa Festival, Chamber Music Milwaukee, Saint James and Wilson Center recital series. He is a longtime member of the AIMS Orchestra in Graz, Austria. He has made numerous recordings including those for Brett Records (England) and for Hal Leonard.

Trischa Loebl BM UW-Madison MM Northwestern University. Cello studies with Uri Vardi, Alan Harris and Parry Karp. Cello teacher at the Latino Arts Strings Program, 2006-present. Cello teacher at String Academy of Wisconsin, 1991-2006. Member of the Waukesha Symphony and Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra.

Alana Dust

Alana Dust received the Premier Talent Scholarship to study with Elizabeth Simkin at Ithaca ollege for a B.M in Cello Performance. She also received a Full Fellowship to study with Anthony Elliott at the University of Michigan to earn her M.M in Cello Performance. While in Ann Arbor, she was faculty at the Plymouth Music School and the Novi Music Academy. Ms. Dust’s chamber music studies were with members and former members of Takacs, Cavani, Ying, Audubon, Concord, Pacifica and Ariadne String Quartets as well as Ani Kavafian, Jaime Laredo, Martin Katz and Anner Bylsma.

In addition to coverage of the above topics, there will also be daily hands-on instruction in a mini- master class setting which will focus on the pedagogical aspects covered in discussions and individual participant needs. Observations of faculty working with students will cover all levels of proficiency. Enrollment is limited. The application deadline is May 23. Remaining fees are due June 1.

Cello Teacher Workshop Particpants

Schedule
Thursday, June 28	Registration: 9-10AM
	Class: 10-12, 1:30-5:30
Friday, June 29	Class: 9-12, 1:30-5:30
Saturday, June 30	Class: 10-12, 1:30-6:30
Sunday, July 1	Class: 9-1:00

Workshop Fees
Tuition	$370
Materials	$30
Total	$400

University housing and academic credit are available for an added fee (request on the registration form).

Housing/Parking:
Single, no air:	$42/day
Single with air:	$55/day
Double, no air:	$48/day
Double, with air:	$76/day
Parking:	$9/day