String Educators Workshop
Thursday, June 26 – Saturday, June 28, 2025
Registration Deadline: June 22, 2025
The University of Michigan String Educators Workshop, led by Dr. Michael Hopkins, is designed to meet the needs of the variety of educators who are responsible for teaching strings.
The workshop contains two tracks in the morning to address participants’ varied experience with teaching strings. Participants come together in the afternoon for special topics sessions and to explore new music for strings.
Workshop Faculty
Michael Hopkins
Chair of Music Education and Professor of Music, University of Michigan
Workshop Teaching Focuses: Double Bass, String Pedagogy, Repertoire, Program Development
Kristen Pellegrino
Professor of Music Education, University of Texas at San Antonio
Workshop Teaching Focuses: String Immersion Class for Band & Choir Directors, Teaching Artistry
Scott Laird
Fine Arts Chair / Instructor of Music, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Workshop Teaching Focuses: Violin, Eclectic Styles, Rehearsal Techniques
Andrea Yun
Cellist, Detroit Opera / Teacher Trainer, Suzuki Association of the Americas
Workshop Teaching Focuses: Cello Technique & Curriculum, String Pedagogy, Teaching & Communication Strategies
Snapshot Gallery
An instructor works with a small group at the 2024 String Educators Workshop.
String educators are immersed in advanced secondary instrument training.
Coaching on cello finger placement at the 2024 workshop.
Join our network of passionate and dedicated string educators!
String Immersion Track
The String Immersion (SI) Track is for those with a band or choral background and others with little background in strings that find themselves assigned to teach orchestra. Instruments are provided, and we will start from the very beginning in an open, friendly, non-intimidating environment. The classes in the SI track are all designed so participants learn to effectively teach beginning and intermediate string classes.
SI Topics:
- Learn to hold the bow and produce a beautiful tone
- Learn to execute and teach different articulations and bow strokes
- Learn to teach all left-hand positions, create good finger placement
- Learn about special considerations for double bass – the differences and similarities with the other strings.
- The ASTA National String Curriculum – learn how to use this resource to structure your school orchestra curriculum and inform your teaching practice.
- Get recommendations from our experienced faculty about tried and true materials to use with your string program, including method books, supplementary classroom materials, chamber music and orchestral repertoire.
- Learn how to create fingerings, understand fingerboard positions and teach students to play with vibrato
All instruments are provided.
Experienced Track
The Experienced Track is for string principals and experienced orchestra teachers who want to continue to develop their secondary instrument, rehearsal and conducting skills, and expand their knowledge of string repertoire and pedagogy. Please bring your principal instrument. Secondary instruments are provided.
Experienced Track Topics:
- Intermediate and advanced secondary instrument study on violin, viola, cello and double bass
- Rehearsal Lab – Learn strategies for rehearsing orchestras to improve tone quality, intonation, rhythm, and expression. Learn how to take your orchestra from good to great and deliver high-quality artistic performances!
- Reading sessions and conducting lab – A diverse body of repertoire will be explored to provide you with plenty of ideas for programming success. We will read new and recently released pieces for orchestra, as well as tried and true pieces of great repertoire from the past. Bring your own piece to share with participants and conduct.
- Participants who conduct will receive feedback and a video for self-assessment.
- Special Topics Sessions may include topics related to program development, recruitment, retention, motivating students, working with community partners, curriculum development, eclectic styles and creative music making, and addressing the needs of diverse learners.
- Presentation by SHAR products on selecting instruments, bows, strings, accessories, rental programs, step-up instruments, and electric instruments
Schedule
Summer 2025 Program dates:
Thursday, June 26 – Saturday, June 28
Registration
Registration deadline: June 22, 2025
All participants must submit an online registration form.
Tuition
Workshop fee: $400
No refunds for cancellations after June 1, 2025
Sponsors
Contact Us
For assistance with any questions regarding the String Educators Workshop, please contact Amanda Dihle, Department of Music Education Project Coordinator, at [email protected].