I come from a family of teachers, and always knew that it would be central to my career. From a young age I had opportunities to try my hand at it: I gave my first lesson while I was in high school, coaching a student on All-State audition excerpts. Even at 15, I remember enjoying the one-on-one interaction, the challenge of solving problems on the fly and the satisfaction that came from helping someone achieve their goals. More than two decades later that still holds true!
“The thing that impresses me most about Travis’ teaching is that he never settles and is always striving not only to be a better teacher, but a better student himself. Whether that’s by listening to podcasts, reading new books, or participating in masterclasses, he is constantly learning and keeping up with the cutting edge of pedagogy. When I had my first lesson with Travis, he taught me more about my instrument in that hour than all the lessons I had before put together. He truly cares about his students and not only wants to see them succeed, but has all the tools (and five more) needed to ensure they succeed. He has a contagious passion for music and the viola and I’m so grateful he has instilled that in me. ”
For a fuller look into my background, listen to this episode of Nathan Cole and Akiko Tarumoto’s podcast Stand Partners for Life.
After beginning my faculty position at SDSU, I focused on developing skills to successfully set up beginner students. I studied the work of Mimi Zweig, renowned pedagogue and professor at Indiana University, and brought her to SDSU to give a series of workshops.
Ms. Zweig introduced me to cellist Carina Voly, and, shortly after, Carina and I co-created the SDSU String Academy. In addition to providing a solid foundation in strings to young students, the String Academy provides SDSU music majors with hands-on training in string pedagogy — invaluable practical experience to prepare them for their future careers.
In Fall of 2021, I launched String Gym, an online program for adult students of violin and viola. Through that program I work with enthusiastic players from around the US and several other countries around the world.
“Travis’ love of pedagogy and learning is obvious, and he is an extremely effective, engaging, and positive teacher with a great sense of humor. ”
After more than 15 years in the studio, my love for the art and craft of teaching has only deepened. I work with college students for two to four years, but some String Academy students I may teach from age 5 to 18 — that is a special relationship rarely replicated!
In 2021, I was awarded Most Influential SDSU Music Faculty member. In addition to my work with the SDSU String Academy, in the summer I am on faculty at the San Diego Summer Music Institute. I have also taught at the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute, the Hausmann Chamber Music Program, Interharmony Music Festival (Italy), and have given masterclasses at numerous institutions across the United States, Mexico and Italy.
Student Awards and Honors
My students have attended Itzhak Perlman's Music Program, Music Academy of the West, the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the Indiana Summer String Academy, and the National Youth Orchestra Program at Carnegie Hall, among others.
They have gone on to study or gained admission to prestigious institutions including The Juilliard School, Northwestern University, the New England Conservatory, Indiana University, Cincinnati Conservatory, Boston University, Boston Conservatory, Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania.