Olivia Wise

Maine Youth Rock Orchestra Offers Teens a Look into a World of Professional Possibilities as a Working Musician

The Maine Youth Rock Orchestra was inspired by a trend: when major pop, rock, or folk artists share a stage with a professional symphony, giving another path for a career as a musician.

Violinist Scott Tixier on Studying Jazz Music on a Conservatory Track

Jazz violinist Scott Tixier describes why the phrase “classically trained” doesn't need to be such a defining measure of musical accomplishment.

Listen to the Past: 7 Tips on Learning Old-Time Fiddle

Learning old-time fiddle requires a lot of research with your ears open to the past. Here are 7 tips on learning how to play old-time fiddle.

stage fright illustration of woman dangling from gigantic cello scroll

Tips on How Musicians Can Overcome Stage Fright

No matter if you've played two gigs or 2,000, stage fright can happen to any musician at any time. Here are some ways string players can overcome stage fright.

Alasdair Fraser on How the Scottish Fiddle Is a ‘Vehicle for Different Types of Dialects’

Mastering the different styles of fiddling requires the same deep immersion as language fluency, according to Alasdair Fraser. It’s not about simply learning sheet music, but speaking in a regional dialect on your violin.

Darol Anger Breaks Down Bluegrass from a Fiddler’s Perspective

By Patrick Sullivan Exact numbers aren’t really Darol Anger’s thing. But over some four decades as a musician and educator, the incredibly versatile fiddler has... Read More...

Legendary venue the Hollywood Bowl stage

No Matter What Kind of Music You Play or Listen To, in Los Angeles, There’s a Venue for You

By Eric Gorfain Moments before you walk onto the Hollywood Bowl stage for the first time, it hits you: You’re about to perform on the stage the Beatles transfor... Read More...

Violinist Ray Chen Delves into the Inspiration Ysaÿe Found in J.S. Bach’s Music

Player Ray Chen Title of Work Being Studied Sonata for Solo Violin No. 3 “Ballade” Composer Eugène Ysaÿe Date Composed 1923 Name of edition studied G. Henle Ver... Read More...

A Rhythmic Approach to ‘Receita de Samba’

By Catherine Bent As choro—samba’s instrumental precursor—gains international popularity, many string players are drawn to its charms and challenges. It’s a goo... Read More...

Did Bach write Suite No. 6 for a 5-string viola pomposa?

Finding a Creative Solution to the 300-Year-Old Conundrum of Bach’s Cello Suites

It takes a special kind of virtuosity to learn the last of Bach's Cello Suites on a standard cello. That’s because it wasn’t written for a cello with 4 strings.