The ACHT Viola Studio

I would just like to take a moment to brag about the wonderful ACHT viola studio here at The Juilliard School. Heidi Castleman, who primarily is in charge of this massive viola universe, is one of the wisest and organized persons I know. (*Note: I don't mean to imply that other studios aren't great as well :)

Let me begin by describing how everything works:

-ACHT stands for the last names of all the teachers who comprise the studio (in alphabetical order): Misha Amory, Heidi Castleman, Hsin-Yun Huang, and Steve Tenenbom. Most of the violists in our studio study with two teachers, often a combination of Ms. Castleman and another teacher, since the other three teachers are active performers and travel frequently. For example, I study with Mr. Amory and Ms. Castleman. Since Misha is often traveling with the Brentano Quartet, I will have lessons with him when he's in town and lessons with Heidi when he's gone. For me, this combination works out great because I am always able to have technique lessons with Heidi whenever I feel like I need it and can usually start new pieces with her and then take more polished works to Misha. They are both FANTASTIC, inspiring teachers who have already taught me so much!

Because there are approximately 25-30 violists in our studio, organization is key. Ms. Castleman is a big Google fan (me too!) so our studio uses it's resources extensively. How do we use it?

• Scheduling: All of the teachers have a special Google calendar where they invite all their students to use it, and post lesson schedules there. That way, all the students have access to view when their lessons will be and know who to ask if they need to switch lessons. There's also a "combined student calendar" which lists all the students who are busy at a certain time (based on their school schedule), so you know who you can't ask to switch.
• Studio class: The ACHT viola studio class spans up to three hours, however each students is require to only attend the first two or the last two hours, with the middle hour overlapping. This gives us one hour every week to all be together and usually this hour is not just used for more student performances, but rather is used for different kinds of presentations (Technique class demonstrations, listening to famous recordings and analyzing them, having a guest speaker on a wide range of topics like how to build a website or how to be a better public speaker)
• If you wish to play in studio class, there is a sign up sheet that you fill out and submit online. First you must play in "play-through" class, which is a small group comprised of the other violists playing that week in class. This gives everyone a chance to practice performing in a more intimate space, a smaller audience, and gives the option of choosing not to play in studio class if it doesn't go so well.
• Recordings: Another great resource has recently been added by one of our own students, AJ. Our new recording engineer records all studio classes and studio recitals then posts the recordings on a webpage so that the players and the teachers can listen afterwards (and download the recording) of the performance!
• On that performance note, I have to mention that Ms. Castleman has a knack for getting everybody to perform a lot. She arranges studio recitals every two months for people to have the chance to perform for public short works or parts of works, and makes sure that everybody gives at least one half or full recital every year. (and if you never sign up for a studio recital, she might just sign you up anyways ;)
• ACHT Viola site: Our viola studio also has it's own webpage! Here you can find a wide range of incredibly valuable resources. There are pages with notes on collaborative playing, public speaking, lists of summer festivals, instrument shops and contacts for the studio, jury requirements, forms for recommendation requests and a schedule of upcoming performances by the teachers.

Have I bragged enough? Well, mostly I just want to say how much I love my studio and everyone in it. Maybe this set up is a little overwhelming for some people, but I think it's great and encourage you to spread these ideas and use any resources available to you in the world!

Amar

I love Juilliard. I love New York City. I love the people in my life. I am so happy that I am here.

Thank you, God.

That is all (for now).

:)

Love,

Violamad

Juilliard Round 2

Well, after a long wonderful summer, I am finally back in the big city!

Actually, I've already been here two weeks! As a Resident Assistant for the dorm this year, I had to arrive on August 20th for training, and then this past week we have hosted orientation for the new Juilliard students. And now the returning students are returning tomorrow! But let's go back a little...

So I arrived to NY much more easily than I left, since my suitcase was 20 pounds lighter and I used a backpack instead of my side-sling computer bag. Yes, I looked ridiculous carrying my viola on my back and my backpack over my belly, but come on...it's NYC! That day was just full of unpacking and a quick dinner with my new family. Then the next morning we left at 7:30 for our Reslife staff retreat to "grandma's house"! It was a weekend full of fun and emotion as we had the chance to get to know each other better and start bonding as a team. Once we got back, the next week consisted of lots of meetings, learning protocol, rules, role play and designing/creating decorations for each person's floor and the whole dorm; twas a long but fulfilling week. And of course, we took time in between all this stuff to have FUN (scavenger hunt around the city, games in the park, Thai food...)

Then last Sunday, new students came! Move-in day went pretty well since we had so many wonderful people helping. However, it was slightly stressful when TWO of the three elevators broke at a very high traffic time during the day. And this is a dorm where you aren't allowed to use the stairs to get to the main floor...But lets just say that some people didn't mind setting off the fire alarm after waiting 30 min for the elevator. :)

Then the rest of the week, our "Orientation Leaders" did most of the work instead of the Reslife staff and so I was able to enjoy some time to get back to my viola and spent some time with my lovely man when he came for two days to get his cello fixed. I really like that the owner of the cello he is using is in NY- he will have lots of excuses to come!

So, how has life changed? I'm loving my new single room. (I actually have space to practice in it!) I'm training for a half marathon in October, which doesn't change much except for one long run per week. (Completed 11 miles this morning in 84 min. My goal for the half-mar is 100 min). I feel a new connection to all of the people in the residence hall and I genuinely want them to enjoy their lives here!

Next week, school starts and I'll probably fall behind on posts again...but I'll try to keep updating :)

Thanks for your support,

Violamad

Helpless

It's a very interesting feeling. Not a feeling you want to have. Not a feeling I can honestly say I have felt very often. It's a feeling that makes you say "I don't know what to do" and really really mean it.

I recently experienced this feeling two weeks ago when I arrived to the airport with my lovely Russian companion and we were told that he would not be able to check his cello as baggage. The oh-so-stubborn supervisor informed us that it is in US Airways policy that cellos cannot be checked and must be carried on to the plane with a purchased seat for the cello.

"Why?"- "It's our policy"- "But this cello has been checked with no problems many times before on airlines such as Delta, United, Continental."- "It's a liability issue. I cannot check your cello."- "Can I sign something to say that I'm not going to hold the company liable?"- "No. I can't do that. It also has to do with tariffs...but you wouldn't understand that."- "Sure..."- "You could buy a seat for it"- "Even if I had money to do that, this flight case is huge. It's designed to be checked not carried on. It wouldn't fit in the seat, for sure."- "You can check other airlines..."

After about an hour we had made no progress whatsoever. (Thank goodness for getting to the airport early) We did check with other airlines but there were no more flights by the other airlines out of that airport for the rest of the day. The only flight possible was a KLM flight out of Boston, a 1.5 drive away, and cost $2300, one way. Dmitry had to be in Moscow by the next day because he had his interview to get his student visa on Monday morning. He had a concert a week later in Amsterdam. What do you do?

Fast forward a week, I can't give all details, but the cello is in The Netherlands with Dmitry at the festival, but now he faces the same problems, and more, coming back. As you can expect, the average student who goes to school on full scholarship based on a large financial need, doesn't have the kind of money to just be able to pay through these fees in unfortunate emergencies. Really, at these times, one is helpless, incapable to do anything, crippled by rules and regulations.

In times like this, I think people need an hero. Maybe hero is an interesting word choice, but I am so grateful to say that he found one. Dmitry has been so blessed to have this benefactor in his life. He gives without asking, he gives when asking too much. His help was so crucial in working out this situation, and I don't know what would've happened without him.

So take the time tonight to think of that one person who has pulled you out of the hole when circumstances threw you in one. Thank that guy or girl who gave you the lift when you needed it, who helped you when you were helpless. And remember that person next time you have the opportunity to become an hero yourself.

Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Summertimeeeeee and the living is easyyyy

Ok, so maybe not really "easy", but I am writing you from Wolfeboro, NH where I am attending the Heifetz International Music Institute. This small resort town is so cute and beautiful in the summer: our campus is on a beautiful lake, there's a beach, there's a fantastic running trail and an amazing ice cream place! (*note: I say this about the town in the summer only. Coming in the winter would mean that none of the things I listed above are enjoyable)

But those aren't the real reasons that I'm here. I'm here to learn and become a better musician. So is it worth all the money? Well if you consider it like summer school for conservatory students, I would say so. Our weekly schedules involve 2 hours of private instruction, 2 hours of performance master classes, 5 hours of chamber music rehearsal, 1 hour of chamber music coaching, 5 hours of communication training (singing, acting, speaking, dancing, improvisation), and 6+ hours of attending student and faculty concerts. In addition we are expected to practice 5 hours individually each day (but I usually only do 4...I think it's enough....).

So, if you are not efficient with your time, you may find that the hours of the day slip away before you get to add in those practice hours. But alas, almighty Violamad loves to manage time and loves waking up early, so she makes sure that there's free time in the afternoon to go to the beach or evenings to go to town and get ice cream! :)

Needless to say, in case you were wondering, I'm having a wonderful time here. Every day I am inspired and amazed by the ever so talented musicians who surround me at this festival. It's easy to watch these friends and colleagues and become filled with jealousy or feel disheartened in comparing myself to he or she. But I've really been trying to focus on the positive, inspiration part. And if you happen to find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to shift your focus just the same :)

Love,

Violamad

How NOT to move home from college for the summer.

Well, ignoring the fact that I haven't written a blog in way over a month, I will briefly describe my last weeks of school: crazy. Juries, finals, packing, and finally I'm home for a few weeks before I head to a music festival for six weeks. :)

But I just have to take a moment to describe my trip home from New York. This is not to make you feel sorry for me. In hindsight, it's actually quite humorous (though I can assure you I was not laughing on that day). Simply I would like to inform you how NOT to move home from college.

When I moved to my small dorm room last fall, I was with two parents, 4 suitcases of my stuff and picked up a bunch of stuff at Bed Bath and Beyond the following day. Moving back, it was all me. Fortunately, I was able to fill one suitcase with winter clothes, etc and leave it at a friend's house Additionally, since I will be Reslife staff next year, I received the great privilege to leave some things in storage at the dorm- two boxes and my pillow. I hid my comforter and pillow in one friend's cello locker and my humidifier (Henry the frog!) in another.

So it sounds like I had it all covered. Well, towards the end of packing my suitcase and duffel bag that were going home with me, things started getting a little tight. A shirt here, a stuffed animal there, I shoved it all in. But then came the real question: can I get it all to the airport? I thought I had it under control. Duffel bag went on top of the suitcase, computer bag hung on the left shoulder, purse on the right, viola on my back and a small bag with a piece of Magnolia's Bakery cake hung on my left wrist.

I made it down the three elevators it took to get to the street. Then I had to drag it down 65th to make it to the subway. Crossing Broadway, my duffel bag falls off the top of my suitcase in the middle of the street. Fortunately, no cars were coming since NO one helped me as I struggled to pull it back on. Oh and get this, the elevator down into the subway is broken. Fantastic. This is when I realized how heavy my oversized suitcase was. Wearing heels, I stumbled down the steps with my bags. I'm really surprised I didn't fall over, but I made it. Here, for the first time, I got someone to help me throw my suitcase over the turnstile since no one was working in the booth to open the handicap gate. Also, I'm totally dripping in sweat by now. Good thing I straighten my hair before I left...

On the train! Finally, I make it my 125th street stop in Harlem, but this station doesn't even have a broken elevator. I get to the steps and realize there's no way I'm going to be able to carry both bags up at the same time. So, I run up with one bag, leave it at the top of the stairs on the street, and run back down to get the suitcase, keeping an eye on both bags and praying that no one runs off with it! I start to slowly, step by step, lug the huge suitcase up the 25 steps, and finally a young man offers to help. THANK YOU!

So I think the worst is over, now I just I have to get on the M60 bus to the airport. Oh, I see the bus as I'm approaching the stop! Oh! My duffel bag falls off again. Oh, I miss the bus. Oh, I'll take the next one, probably just about 8-10 min. Oh, let's wait for 40min before another bus comes!!! (There was really bad traffic. Another young lady at the stop, also going to the airport, offered to split a cab with me, but we couldn't even find one available). Friday afternoon, Manhattan.

Finally, the bus comes. By this point, I'm pretty frantic as the bus moves slowly down 125th, and by the time we get to the bridge to Queens it's only 55 minutes until my flight is supposed to leave. People get to talking on the overcrowded bus. It's not hard, since we're only inches away from each other! There's 4 of us that have flights around 6pm, so we all agree to grab a cab once we get to Astoria (It's the first stop in Queens, and only 8 min from the airport without traffic). I was afraid we weren't all going to fit, but somehow we managed to get one of those black Lincoln car cabs and all squeezed in! (and I only had to pay $6 with tip included)

I arrive at the Southwest ticketing counter 20 min before my flight is scheduled to leave. I put my big suitcase up on the scale and it's 64 pounds. Great, I have to loose 14 pounds or pay $50. I'm shaking at this point. I pull it off and pull out my music books and put them in my computer bag, an easy 3 pounds. 61. I start grabbing clothes and stuffing them in my duffel bag. I change my heels for my tennis shoes. Lose some weight and I'm now ready to run! 54. (This guy at the counter is killing me!) I pull out my stuffed animal (Sputnik) and hold him, while I make room for some denim jeans. 51. He says ok! But warns me that my bags might not make it to Houston because I'm checking them so late. I don't care! I run off and shortly realize that I left my boarding pass at the counter. As soon as I turn around, I find the guy holding it out to me. "You won't get far without this!"...Thanks.

Now I'm RUNNING. Good thing I'm in shape! Security line wasn't horrible, but looked kinda long. Then I hear this old lady start screaming "Come back here, this line is open!" What a sweet sound to my ears. I sneak around this pole to find a surprisingly empty line. The lady helps me bypass a young mom with a stroller. Holding my boarding pass in my mouth, I somehow managed to quickly take off my shoes, take my computer out, and put my viola, purse, computer bag, Magnolia cake bag, stuffed animal and a sweater through the machine and then assemble it all together again to run to my gate.

Then came the victory moment: The door on gate B6 was open! "You must be Miss Daniels?" The only person left to get on the completely booked flight. WOhooo!

Though I had a few more problems on my way home (i.e leaving my music bag on my first flight and getting delayed by an hour on my connecting flight because of a storm in Houston) the worst was over. I had a bunch of people praying for me and I'm so thankful. Even my bags made it in time!

Well. That's quite a story, I don't want to ramble any more. But now you know how NOT to move home from college for the summer. :)

Love,

Violamad

Freshman Recital!

Well I have finally completed my first half-recital at Juilliard! I have been thinking about it for such a long time and now it's over! I was so happy to share my recital with my friend Rachel, a truly beautiful person and violist and have Yi-Fang to collaborate with on piano.

Ever since I have arrived here, my nerves for performances have greatly heightened. I assume it's the added pressure from a competitive environment and being surrounded by really awesome musicians. Nonetheless, I was encouraged and learned from these fantastic colleagues that it doesn't matter if Suzie and Christopher are playing Paganini and have three other concertos memorized. Let yourself be inspired, not defeated. I am here to improve and grow, and fortunately I think I have done some of that with the help of two of the most amazing teachers I could have ever asked for, Heidi Castleman and Misha Amory :)

So with that, I present my recital, now available on my youtube channel: violamad.

(and I apologize for the lack of dynamics in my playing- I promise it's a result of the tiny microphone on my little pocket camera! ;)

Love,

Violamad