JAVS Summer 2026

In spring 2025, the studio presented an outdoor concert at the Virginia Tech Engagement Center for Creative Aging, an adult day center as well as a teaching and research program. Students were responsible for selecting the ensemble repertoire, assigning and learning parts, and organizing rehearsals. My role was to provide a timeline, repertoire suggestions, and periodic reminders to help keep the project on track.

Despite a windy performance day, the students successfully presented both ensemble selections and their jury solos. More importantly, they engaged with participants in the program, discovering shared interests that extended beyond music. The event created meaningful opportunities for connection between students and community members and allowed students to experience the impact of sharing music in a service oriented setting.

Figure 6. Outdoor concert at the Virginia Tech Engagement Center for Creative Aging.

As teachers, it is easy to focus our limited time on developing technique, preparing performances, and helping students find their musical voice. Yet many of us also hope to cultivate curious, connected, and well rounded musicians. In designing these projects, I have tried to balance meaningful learning opportunities with the realities of busy collegiate schedules and the practical constraints faced by both students and teachers. If the idea of incorporating special projects into applied teaching appeals to you, I encourage you to consider the unique needs of your own studio and institution and adapt these ideas accordingly. While the specific projects described here may not fit every setting, the underlying

goals—curiosity, self-discovery, and connection—can take many forms.

I will conclude with a message from Charles, the student featured earlier in this article. Several years after graduating, he sent me a TikTok video of himself playing Fly Me to the Moon with a pianist: Hey! Hope your summer is going well. I just got finished practicing some viola, and I’m in the midst of learning and trying out a little jazz, haha. I dueted this guy on TikTok on a simple jazz standard and I thought of you when we were talking about jazz strings one time. Hope you enjoy….

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Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 42, Summer 2026 Online Issue