Violin & Viola Fest 2026

Develop your technique, make music with fellow violinists/violists, and enjoy performing in the Violin/Viola Ensemble at the 2025 VCU Violin Fest.

This exciting day of workshops, led by VCU Violin Professor Susanna Klein, will feature special guest artist, Carnegie Mellon Prof. Callum Smart, and VCU Violin Faculty Prof. Anna Williams and Viola Prof. Danielle Wiebe-Burke.

Violin Fest is open to intermediate and advanced violinists and violists ages 13 and up, both students and teachers, who want to broaden their artistry and be inspired.

The day will feature:

Technique Workshops
Masterclasses
Stage Fright Workshop with live Heart Rate Monitor
Efficient Practice Workshops
Side-by-side Violin/Viola ensemble concert (with VCU violin/viola majors and VCU faculty)
Meet Our Amazing Faculty for the Day:

Carnegie Mellon Violin Prof. and Instagram sensation Callum Smart, Instagram:@ callumsmartviolin
VCU Violin Prof. and Practizma Practice Coach Susanna Klein, Instagram: @practizma
VCU Violin Prof. and Neave Trio Member Anna Williams Instagram @neavetrio
VCU Violin/Viola Prof. Danielle Wiebe Burke
Registration Information:

$50 Early Bird (on or before Feb 7, 2025)
$75 (Feb 8 and later, including walk-up registration)
The fee covers all workshops, pizza lunch, and a snack. REGISTER NOW!

Schedule (subject to change)
9:15-9:30 registration
9:30-10:15 Violin/Viola Ensemble Rehearsal
10:15-11:00 Empowered Practice Workshop
11:00-11:50 Technique Clinic I (Advanced Shifting Strategies for the Left Hand )
12:00-12:30 Pizza Lunch and Guest Artist FAQ (Pizza provided)
12:30-1:25 Technique Clinic II (Bow Arm Artistry)
1:30-2:20 Master Class with special guest Callum Smart
2:30-3:30 Stage Fright Workshop
3:40-4:20 Violin/Viola Ensemble Rehearsal
4:30 pm Ensemble Concert (Open to the Public)

Important Details:

Ensemble parts will be assigned based on experience (registration includes a brief questionnaire about your abilities). There will be advanced parts and easy parts so everyone can thrive.
Sheet music will be available via email two weeks before the event, but will also be available on-site.
No audition required to participate in VCU Violin Fest, but participants may audition for a masterclass slot.
1-2 Master Class Slots will be made available by competitive audition (YouTube video must be submitted by Feb 15.
Music stands will be provided by VCU
Parking, directions, and additional details will be sent via email the week of the event.
For questions about the Violin Fest, please contact Violin Prof. Susanna Klein at sbklein@vcu.edu
Please note:

Intermediate and advanced Violin/Viola students (13 and up), teachers, and parents are welcome. We do not recommend this event for total beginners (parents do not need to pay a separate registration fee)
Pizza lunch will be provided and is included in the registration price. If you cannot eat pizza, please make sure to bring your own lunch.
Travel and Parking

Student Drop-Off Location is Singleton Center for the Arts: 922 Park Ave, Richmond, VA 23220

Free street parking is available (one-hour signs are NOT in effect on weekends, except on West Ave…do not park on West Ave).

You can also park at VCU Broad St. Deck (3 blocks away, $2 per hour) at 1111 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220. Click here for a clearly labeled VCU map with the Singleton Center for the Arts and the Parking Deck.

Hotel Information

For those coming to Richmond for the weekend, we recommend The Hilton Graduate, within walking distance to VCU Music or The Hilton Richmond – 6 minute drive.