The Rolla Challenge has concluded!
Enter your info in the box below to join my mailing list and be first to know about future challenges!

The Rolla Challenge
A Free Online Workshop & Practice Challenge for Violists

June 24-28, 2024

 
 
 
 
 

  • Are you a violist (or violinist that plays viola!) looking to kickstart your summer practice?

  • Do you wish you could learn music more quickly?

  • Would you like to learn how to play more musically, and with greater physical ease?

If you said “yes” to any of these questions, I invite you to join me for the Rolla Challenge!

Challenge Details

During this free 5-day Challenge you’ll learn a piece by Alessandro Rolla alongside fellow violists from around the world. What piece, you ask? To make things a bit more exciting, you won’t know until the night before the challenge begins!

I’ll guide you through the piece, giving you targeted technical exercises and practice strategies to help you overcome its obstacles in the short time you have to learn it. At the start of the Challenge, you’ll get a PDF packet with detailed practice instructions for each day of the week. You’ll also receive access to videos explaining those strategies, and we’ll meet over Zoom once a day for five days to go over the practice plan in detail.

Learn with a Community

The superpower of this course is the community! Last year’s cohort included professional violists from symphony orchestras, college and high school students, amateur players, and just about everything in between. And they come from all over the world! Be inspired by players far along in the their journey, and relish the support of other violists encouraging you along your own path.

What Previous Participants Say

Last year over 170 violists from around the world participated in my Campagnoli Challenge. Here’s what a few of them had to say about the experience:

 
 
“I took so many great tips and ideas from Travis’s summer intensive. Even as an experienced player, his methods – and the ways he explains and demonstrates them – really revitalized my practicing and my love of the viola. I can’t recommend working with Travis enough; he’s a spectacularly gifted and skilled teacher. ”
— Kate R.
“I am grateful for the energy and thought you have put into creating such a meaningful Challenge. ”
— Lee T.
“I wanted to pause and say thank you for such a very helpful, inspiring program.  Both from a teaching perspective and a practice perspective, you gave me some great ideas for when I feel in a rut.  And there’s nothing like the feeling of being held accountable to keep up with scheduled lessons...So much of what you conveyed in your Campagnoli Challenge just helped trigger my memory, and “woke up” my playing....and PRACTICING!!!”
— Kirsten M.
 

Event Details

Live Zoom Workshop Schedule

Monday, June 24: 12:00pm
Tuesday, June 25: 12:00pm
Wednesday, June 26: 12:00pm
Thursday, June 27: 12:00pm
Friday, June 28: 12:00pm

(all times Pacific Standard Time)
In a different time zone? Use this handy tool to find the start time in your area.

Each Zoom workshop will last approximately an hour.

Can’t make it live? Everyone that registers will be sent links to the recordings of the workshops.

Rolla, who’s Rolla?

Alessandro Rolla was an Italian violinist, violist and conductor who lived from 1757-1841. He was music director at La Scala and professor at the Milan Conservatory, but he’s perhaps best known today as Paganini’s teacher! He wrote many works for viola which are wonderfully musical.

Without giving it away, I’ll let you know that the piece we’re working on is special for its unusual arrangement—the violin literally plays second fiddle in this piece!

What You’ll Take Away

During the Challenge, you’ll learn techniques to make more efficient and effective use of your time in the practice room, so you’re confident you’re using every minute well.

We’ll use the Rolla to address different instrumental topics including:

  • Playing more musically by breaking down a phrase to its core elements.

  • Tips and tricks for releasing tension from your left and right hands.

  • Tactics and strategies for learning music quickly.

Sound good?

To register for the challenge, enter your email address in the form below. After registering, be sure to confirm your email to ensure you receive updates on the challenge from me!

 
 

FAQ

I can’t attend the live Zoom events, can I still participate?
Yes! Register for the event and you’ll have access to recordings of the workshops as well as PDF’s of the practice materials shared.

Can I join Mid-Challenge?
Sure! If you register you can follow along on your own schedule, or even complete the challenge at a later date.

I’m a beginning violist, is this too advanced for me?
During the challenge I’ll demonstrate ways to simplify parts of the piece so you can adapt it to your level. That being said, violists that can play at least at the level of the Telemann Viola Concerto will find the most enjoyment from this Challenge.

I’m a violinist, can I participate?
If you’ve got a viola, sure 😀! In the past we’ve had a number of “switch-hitters” that had a great time in the challenge. The piece we’re working on is specifically written for viola, though, so it’s important you can read alto clef, as a transcribed version will not be provided.