With discipline, talent, and passion for orchestral music, 32-year-old cellist Sonia Mantell has already reached several impressive career milestones. She spent two seasons with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, has subbed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and now holds a… Read More »What It’s Like To Fulfill Your Parents’ Musical Dreams
For violinists who have struggled with playing-related pain despite trying countless remedies, a Japanese assisted-exercise method called Sotai may offer relief. Sotai practitioner Kenichi Kiyama, a professional violinist, martial artist, and the owner of Kiyama Bodyworks, LLC, explains how Sotai… Read More »How To Treat Violin-Related Pain and Injuries With Sotai
Starting a non-profit music ensemble is a dream shared by many musicians, but turning that dream into reality is no small feat. It demands not only persistence and organizational skills to secure funding, connect with presenters, book venues, and cultivate… Read More »How To Build A Nationally-Recognized Non-Profit Music Ensemble
Have you ever reflected on the values that guide your career as a musician? Pianist, harpsichordist, and multi-instrumentalist Sun Chang has done just that, thoughtfully crafting a musical journey rooted in meaningful friendships and inspiring projects. Sun is an accomplished… Read More »How Friendships and Passion Shape A Meaningful Life In Music
Left-hand and arm pain while playing violin is a common challenge for students. As a violin teacher, one of my goals is to help alleviate this discomfort among students, particularly adult learners, by cultivating a technique that promotes a neutral… Read More »How To Overcome Left-hand Pain While Playing Violin
At the beginning of 2024, I had an idea to motivate my students back into practicing. Most of my students would be a bit rusty on their violins, due to the holiday break. So, I decided to challenge my entire… Read More »Surprising Takeaways From The 100 Star Practice Challenge
I have previously written articles about ways to relieve shoulder pain caused by playing the violin, and my exploration into this topic is ongoing. Recently, I’ve come across some new strategies that have been working well for me. As always,… Read More »5 New Strategies For Violin Neck and Shoulder Pain
Are you motivated to practice violin every day? I’m going to guess not, and that’s because I’m also not motivated to practice every day. The same goes for most people that I’ve met, whether they’re professional musicians, amateur musicians, or… Read More »How To Overcome Not Feeling Motivated To Practice
As a violin teacher, one of my top priorities is that my beginner students learn to produce a resonant tone quality. A few weeks ago, while listening to a seven-year-old student play, I found myself offering various reminders. “Straight bow!”… Read More »7 Ways To Improve Tone Quality For Beginner Violinists
Do you experience recurring violin pain from over-playing, tension, or misalignment in your posture? After a busy month of performances and rehearsals on top of my regular teaching schedule, the old pain in my left shoulder flared up again. I’ve… Read More »How To Deal With Recurring Violin Pain