ViolinWise™, LLC
Dr. Valissa Willwerth
violinwisewithvalissa@gmail.com
Welcome to
ViolinWise™
"ViolinWise™ exists to empower and inspire adult violin students and educators through online classes, workshops, lessons and other resources that provide expert technical and musical training, dynamic and thoughtful instruction, and compassionate guidance." - Dr. Valissa Willwerth
New Video Releases (Coming Soon!):
MONSTER
OCTAVES! 1.0
Becker
Gavotte in G minor
INTONATION
LEVEL-UP
COMING SOON!
Training for Brilliant, Reliable Octaves Requires Several Key Skills.
Here's what you need, and how to build them systematically into a technique you're proud to call YOURS.
This streaming video includes comprehensive, clear instruction for each concept, with accompanying exercises to practice each skill. Open to anyone interested, although those able to play up to at least 4th position will benefit most.
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is AVAILABLE!
COMING SOON!
Full 90 Minute Lesson!
This Beautiful Gavotte is SO Much More Than A
"Pretty Student Piece"!
This lesson covers the necessary basics of course, but delves into areas you might not have heard about before. After working through the exercises in this video, you'll never hear, or PLAY, this piece the same again. It may just become one of your favorites...if it isn't already!
Topics include:
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Learning and Becoming Solid in the New Key
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Solving the Intonation Pot Holes
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Keys to Perfecting All the Tricky Spots
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Making the Phrases Sound Fluid and Natural
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Phrasing Like a True Artist
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Memorization Made Easy
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Adding Your Own Musical FLAIR
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is AVAILABLE!
COMING SOON!
Masterful Intonation Comes From
3 Areas:
- Specific Mechanics
- Training Your Ear
- Consistency
But knowing HOW to practice each one? That's the key.
After a lifetime of practicing (well, 48 years anyway...), honing her intonation to the level her world-class orchestral experience demanded, Dr. Valissa gives you a personal tour of the techniques she's used for decades to create precise, reliable intonation. After years of hard work, experiments and clocking what worked and what didn't, THESE are the keys that mattered most.
Now you can have them too.
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is AVAILABLE!
EXPERT
BOW HOLD
(Short Version)
COMING SOON!
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Dr. Valissa's
Two Proven Methods
For A First-Rate Bow Hold
Your bow technique starts with a first-rate bow hold. This video establishes a bow hold that will serve you no matter what your level and continue to support you through your entire journey as a violinist.
You will learn BOTH methods Dr. Willwerth created and has used for decades to teach her students. These exercises WORK.
As Dr. Valissa says,
"When it comes to a first-rate bow hold, I haven't left anyone in the dust yet."
Learn correctly from the start, or reset your existing bow hold if it's gone awry. Until you have this piece of the puzzle securely in place, it will get in the way of your playing and your progress moving forward.
Who this video is for:
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Beginning Students learning for the first time
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Existing Students who want a fast way to find their bow hold EVERY TIME.
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School teachers who want a quick, reliable way to teach students their bow hold
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Private teachers interested in two new and efficient ways to teach their own students
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is AVAILABLE!
Bow Hold
Troubleshooter
(Extended Version!)
COMING SOON!
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10 Most Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
With so many moving parts, there are SO many ways a bow hold can go wrong.
Here are the 10 Most Common Mistakes and Misconceptions that students regularly make that will get in the way of progress.
Do you know all of them?
This video includes BOTH foundational exercises included in the
EXPERT BOW HOLD video,
PLUS:
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10 BOW HOLD MISTAKES and MISCONCEPTIONS
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The PROBLEMS They Cause AND...
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HOW TO FIX THEM!
Who this video is for:
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Students who like working on their own but also want expert instruction from a true, concert violinist
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Students working with a teacher who enjoy additional training and perspectives
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School teachers looking for new ways to solve the ever-present challenges in the classroom
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Private teachers looking for fresh approaches to add to their studio teaching
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is AVAILABLE!
Real Progress, Heartfelt Experiences
"...A gift for teaching adults."
I was almost 40 with no experience, a full time job, and a family. Valissa met me where I was, adapted everything to my learning style, and made each lesson a joy. She combines deep expertise with kindness, And a gift for teaching adults.
~ Jeff P.
Private Online Student,
Instagram Follower
"She is a miracle worker."
"Dr. Willwerth is truly the best! I highly recommend taking private lessons with her. I had been struggling for three weeks to get a particular rhythm into both my fingers and my ears, with no success. I tried to work it out on my own, with my previous teacher, with the conductor, and with my orchestra peer; nothing helped. After just one lesson with Dr Willwerth, I had it. She is a miracle worker."
~ Jadranka P.
Private Online Student,
Instagram Follower
"Because of her I fell in love
with the violin..."
"Dr. Willwerth gave me six years of the best teaching and foundation I could have asked for. Her lessons were full of wisdom, inspiration, and "gold nuggets" I will always remember. Because of her I fell in love with the violin and strive to play with excellence and heart."
~Abby, 17 yrs old,
Now a Violin Major in College
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Welcome. I'm so glad you're here.
Whether you're learning from my videos or taking lessons, workshops or classes directly with me, knowing that you are being guided by my decades of experience, knowledge, skill and compassion is essential.
Learning and advancing with the violin is so much more than technique. We will never ignore the importance of technique, but as a student, you are so much more than a long list of "do this" and "do that". This is where ViolinWise - my approach to teaching and learning the violin - plants its flag. If you've seen my videos, you already know this.
I'm Dr. Valissa Willwerth, and I've spent over 35 years as a professional concert violinist and educator.
Highlights from my performing career include:
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Over 2000 concerts over 26 years with The Philadelphia Orchestra as a first and second violin extra musician/substitute, including international tours of Asia, Europe, South America, and Puerto Rico.
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Appearing regularly with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, with additional appearances with the Detroit Opera and Philadelphia concerts and festivals.
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Performer on numerous commercial recordings including many with The Philadelphia Orchestra and as solo/first violin an Ola Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass and Patrick Hawes' The Fire of Love
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Concertmaster for the Philadelphia performances of the world tours for Undertale™: The Determination Symphony, Stardew Valley™: Festival and Seasons and Symphony of Seasons
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Guest appearances with the Wister Quartet, Orchestra 2001, The Philly Pops, and guest concertmaster section violin with the Princeton Symphony
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Teaching over the years: Temple University, The Pingry School, Rutgers Community Music Program, 36 years teaching through private studio