Olivia Wise

Violist Cynthia Phelps Reflects on the Depth and Warmth of her Gasparo da Salò

Many might assume that Cynthia Phelps’ quest for a new viola was an instrument shopper’s dream. The principal violist of the New York Philharmonic since 1992, P... Read More...

For Her First Solo Album, Cellist Neyla Pekarek Turns to Rattlesnake Kate For Inspiration

By Megan Westberg Neyla Pekarek hadn’t played her cello much during her college years. She opted instead to study musical theater and hone her vocal skills. He... Read More...

Strings Magazine discusses how to prevent instrument theft

A Look Into the World of Instrument Theft

By Brian Wise When it comes to musical- instrument thefts, art-crimes experts will say that a few myths should be dispelled right away: • There is not a black... Read More...

5 Tips on Promoting Your Own Recordings

By Greg Cahill Getting signed to a label was once the benchmark of musical recognition, as many among the general public still believe. I’ll admit to a pang of... Read More...

Susanne Küster carves spectacular scrolls for a variety of instruments

Susanne Küster’s Vivid Scrolls Personalize Baroque Instruments

By Patrick Sullivan The pirate head still sits on Susanne Küster’s tool rack, peering down as she putters about her workshop in the German town of Putlitz. It... Read More...

Violinist and McArthur Award winner Vijay Gupta is founder of Street Symphony, which connects musicians from the L.A. Phil and Los Angeles Master Chorale with men and women from Skid Row

Violinist Vijay Gupta Discusses the Healing Power of Music & the Mutual Rewards of Working with Street Symphony

By Roman Cho Vijay Gupta is a busy man. He holds the Mark Houston Dalzell and James Dao-Dalzell first violin chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a position ... Read More...

Nicholas Cords teaches students to harness the transformative power of thoughtful listening

Teaching Students to Harness the Transformative Power of Thoughtful Listening

By Nicholas Cords Ironically, listening is a musician’s greatest challenge. We spend a lifetime with the instrument under our ears and yet, as listeners, we te... Read More...

How Life’s Circumstances Brought Me Back to the Cherished Music of My Youth

By Jeanne Collins On a crisp fall afternoon, our viola da gamba consort gathers to share in creating the sweet sounds of the viol. I am right in the middle, on... Read More...

Belly and back of 2017 bass viol Otohime; after Joachim Tielke

Gesina Liedmeier’s Historical Instruments Reflect the Passions of Her Clients

By Toni Sicola Gesina Liedmeier has lived a creative life for as long as she can remember. As a child, she found inspiration in music and the visual arts, taki... Read More...

Fiddler Hillary Klug busking in Nashville

Fiddler Hillary Klug Offers Advice on Busking in Nashville

By Bob Doerschuk To really understand what Hillary Klug is doing, imagine a doctor who has figured out how to do brain surgery and deliver babies simultaneousl... Read More...