Advanced students

I believe that with the proper tools, your musical decisions can be based on how you want to sound, not on what is easiest to do! My students have performed in the World Youth Symphony at Interlochen, won awards in state-wide and national competitions, participated in All-State, and gone on to become music majors in college. Current students have auditioned successfully for first chair in ensembles like the Oakland and Berkeley youth orchestras, Ruth Asawa School of the Arts Symphonic Band, and San Francisco All-City Band; been selected to perform at the Junior Bach Festival; and won the Berkeley Youth Orchestra’s concerto competition.

A typical lesson features:

  • tone exercises (long tones, a variety of harmonics/overtones, work on "tone colors")

  • scales through full range of instrument (Maquarre, Taffanel & Gaubert)

  • technical studies (Anderson, etc.)

  • solo pieces (spanning the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, & contemporary periods)

  • orchestral excerpts

  • preparation for competitions, performances, and auditions for youth orchestras and summer festivals

  • duets (time permitting)

  • troubleshooting of fundamental concepts - vibrato, breathing, sound production, articulation, & technique

  • preparation for yearly recital, as well as auditions for youth orchestras, competitions, and college auditions

Your advice has made a dramatic change in my playing [and] has really opened up new colors in my tone. I’m very excited.
— Nick, professional doubler

© 2014 Katrina Walter All Rights Reserved