Violin Masterclass Series (each young artist performs in two classes): VVSA violinists will have the opportunity to perform and get feedback from two of our esteemed guests artists. Our guest artists comprise some of today’s leading soloists, concertmasters and pedagogues. Each masterclass will be followed by a brief question and answer session.
Piano Masterclass with Wu Han: VVSA pianists will have a chance to perform and receive wisdom from one of classical music’s most influential and revered concert artists. All VVSA artists will glean Wu Han’s unique perspective on music and sustaining a multi-faceted musical career through an interview with her following the masterclass.
Arnold Steinhardt Lecture: We are fortunate to host an interview with one of the most acclaimed and beloved musicians of our time, Arnold Steinhardt, first violinists and founding member of the legendary Guarneri Quartet. VVSA students will learn about his life with the violin, chamber music and as a renowned professor of violin at the Curtis Institute, Colburn School and Bard College.
Private Lessons: The core of the VVSA curriculum. VVSA violinists will receive two one-hour lessons and one half-hour lesson with VVSA artistic director Ryan Meehan. VVSA pianists will receive three one-hour lessons with VVSA artistic director Gabriela Fahnenstiel focusing on refining their solo repertoire and technical studies.
Performance Class: All VVSA artists will have a chance to perform their repertoire and listen to their colleagues in daily performance classes. VVSA faculty will provide insights into the physical, emotional and mental demands of cultivating a successful performance on stage. For the Labor Day Intensive every student will have the possibility to perform at least three prepared works.
Daily Warmup Routine: All VVSA artists will have a chance to learn about effective stretching and warmup routines both with and without the instrument. In daily sessions lead by VVSA Artistic Directors, artists will learn routines aimed at building endurance, guarding against injury and increasing coordination.
Etude Excerpt Class (violinists only): VVSA Artistic Director Ryan Meehan leads violinists through a series of excerpts which are particularly effective in improving coordination, dexterity, sound, intonation and bow control. Excerpts will include the works of Vamos, Sevcik, Kreutzer, Gavinies, Dounis and Paganini.
VVSA Hangouts: Get to know your fellow VVSA artists through a 1-2 hour nightly hangout involving games, trivia, documentaries and much more.
Typical Daily Schedule (all times in EST)
8:30am: Warm up routines (will be recorded for those in later times zones)
9am – 12pm: Individual practice/lessons
12pm – 1pm: Masterclass/Lecture
2pm – 3pm: Masterclass lecture
3pm – 6pm: Individual Practice/ Private Lessons
7pm: Performance Class
8pm: VVSA Hangouts
Virtuosi Virtual Summer Academy 