Mike Block Archives

Teacher Training Seminar 2024

Drawing on the vast experiences of a diverse teaching team, this intensive, virtual summer seminar will cover a broad array of subjects relevant to cello teachers at all levels of experience. Topics this year include explorations in shifting and vibrato, practice strategies for busy students, applying Feldenkreis Principles in your teaching, essentials for cello beginners, early steps in developing keyboard visualization, the art of cadenza writing and many, many more. Our classes are designed to bolster pedagogical knowledge and skills, with opportunities for participants to engage directly with our faculty in both formal and informal Q & A settings. Faculty in 2023 include master teachers Paul Katz, Tanya Carey, Mark Churchill, Sandra Halleran, Khari Joyner, Alison Bazala Kim, Kee-Hyun Kim, Ken Kubota, Jisoo Ok, Aristides Rivas, and David Ying.

By CelloBello Webmaster|2024-05-17T14:03:40-04:00May 17th, 2024|Categories: Workshops, Teacher Training Seminar, Virtual Events|Tags: Richard Aaron, David Ying, Horacio Contreras, Mike Block, sandra halleran, ken kubota, Paul Katz, jisoo ok, Jeffrey Zeigler, Erin Breene, Elizabeth Glennon, Kee-Hyun Kim, Madeleine Golz|

CelloKids: Beyond Scales: Exploring Scale Modes with Improvisation

Wondering what on earth are scale modes? Great! Mike Block will be using improvisation as a means to explore the 7 Greek modes of the typical Major scale (i.e. Dorian mode, Lydian mode, etc). Join this class to better understand the importance of these modes and how they apply to music. This class is intended for Intermediate players—but any curious beginner can sign up to audit the class as an Observer off camera. For the purposes of this class, “intermediate players” should have 3-5 years of playing experience AND be over age 10.

By CelloBello Webmaster|2022-11-14T07:52:48-05:00October 12th, 2022|Categories: Virtual Events, Workshops, CelloKids|Tags: scales, CelloKids, Mike Block, Modes|

Conversation with Artists from Cellists Unite in Support of Ukraine

Following the release of the music video and conversation with members of the Kyiv Contemporary Music Days (KCMD) team and Ukrainian Classical Musicians Support Fund, CelloBello will host a conversation with cellists that participated in the music video. The conversation offers the opportunity to explore in words what this musical collaboration was all about.

By CelloBello Webmaster|2022-08-22T10:56:04-04:00August 22nd, 2022|Categories: Virtual Events|Tags: Paul Katz, Ukraine, War, Mike Block, Zlatomir Fung, Elena Korableva, Petro Sokach, Glib Sasko, Ukrainian Classical Musicians Support Fund|

Cellists Unite in Support of Ukraine Video Premiere

CelloBello, the world’s leading resource on all things cello, has gathered cellists from around the world in a musical tribute dedicated to those who have fought and sacrificed for freedom in Ukraine since the Russian full-scale invasion began on February 24th of this year. August 24 marks not only the 6-month marker from the start of all-out war, but more importantly is Independence Day of Ukraine. CelloBello will host several events, including the premiere of an internationally-collaborative music video, a livestream conversation with Ukrainian musicians, and a live conversation with cellists who participated in the project.

By CelloBello Webmaster|2022-08-22T13:20:15-04:00August 22nd, 2022|Categories: Virtual Events|Tags: Paul Katz, Ukraine, War, Mike Block, Zlatomir Fung, Elena Korableva, Petro Sokach, Glib Sasko|