2025 State Conference

VIOLIN WORKSHOP


Sunday, November 23, 2025

COORDINATOR: Tunde Gaal at gaaltunde@gmail.com


The workshop is ideal for young(any age) to collegiate level violin students. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your studio families as we continue expanding resources for our non-piano instrumental community. Your students are invited to join us on Sunday, November 23, for this exciting day of music-making and connection.

This year’s workshop will feature ERIC WYRICK (see below), acclaimed violinist and concertmaster of the New Jersey Symphony. Mr. Wyrick will lead the violin master class for students of active NJMTA members.

SCHEDULE:

8:30 am - 9:00 am Registration

9:00 am -12:00 pm Master Class - Eric Wyrick

12:00 pm -1:00 pm LUNCH

Princeton Violin Showcase

1:00 pm -1:45 pm PANEL SESSION: "Beyond The Practice Room: Everything You Ever
Wanted To Ask From Your Violin Teacher"

2:00 pm - 2:45 pm Violin Maintenance Lecture: "Evaluating and Maintaining Bowed
String Instruments”

In addition to the master classes, we’re pleased to offer two special presentations:

  • Princeton Violins will present a program titled: “Violin Care and Maintenance”, with instruments available for students to try.

We look forward to seeing your students take advantage of this unique and enriching opportunity!





DATES:

  • Master class Registration IS CLOSED
    Audition Video Submission Deadline: Sunday, October 27, 2025

FEES:

  • Audition Fee: $75 *

  • Workshop Attendance Fee: $45 * (includes student and up to two family members)

* All fees are non-refundable.

ERIC WYRICK

Violinist Eric Wyrick has been Concertmaster of the New Jersey Symphony since 1998. Recently retired from the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Eric had been a member of the internationally acclaimed ensemble for 38 years.

As soloist with the New Jersey Symphony, Wyrick has delighted New Jersey audiences with performances of the great solo violin repertoire ranging from unusual and underperformed works such as the Schumann, Strauss and Busoni violin concertos to presenting the complete Bach Brandenburg Concertos and the Vivaldi Four Seasons as soloist and leader. Wyrick has featured collaborations with contemporary local New Jersey composers Darryl Kubian and Steve Mackey in their solo compositions as well as a special revival of Princeton’s legendary Edward T. Cone Violin Concerto.

Eric has engaged in a multi-year career project, specializing in collaborative concerto performances: Double concertos of Bach, Brahms, Mozart, Rosza, Bottessini, Mackey, Schnittke and JP Joffre; and Triple concertos of Beethoven and Tan Dun.

As an active chamber musician, Wyrick can be heard frequently with the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players and performs regularly with the Richardson Chamber Players.

Wyrick is a Lecturer at Princeton University and a frequent guest for coaching and masterclasses at music schools and festivals across the country.


MASTER CLASS (9:00am - 12:00pm)

PROGRAM:

Violin Concerto no. 3 in G Major, K. 216, I. Allegro Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Annabelle Zhao
Student of Yousun Kim



Air Varié No. 6 Charles Dancla

Stella An
Student of Sharon Cho



Concerto in D Major, Op. 35, I. Allegro moderato Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Melody Jian
Student of Tünde Gaal



Scottish Fantasy, IV. Allegro guerriero Max Bruch

Leilani Gopal
Student of Katarzyna Powichrowska



INTERMISSION

Concertino in G Major, I. Allegro maestoso Oskar Rieding

Lev Jonikas
Student of Paul Manulik



Sonata in E Minor, II. Allegro con Fuoco Francesco Maria Veracini

Isabelle Zhao
Student of Yousun Kim



Violin Concerto in G Minor, I. Allegro moderato Max Bruch

Isabella Gopal
Student of Katarzyna Powichrowska



Violin Concerto in D Minor, I. Allegro moderato Jean Sibelius

Roger Wang
Student of Tünde Gaal



* Performing student must stay for the whole duration of masterclass

PANEL SESSION: "Beyond The Practice Room: Everything You Ever Wanted To Ask From Your Violin Teacher"

1:00pm - 1:45pm

Presented by Sharon Gayoung Cho, Tünde Gaal, Paul Manulik, Katarzyna Powichrowski

Are you a parent or student grappling with the challenges of learning the violin? Do you ever struggle with time management? Do you have many questions for your teacher you never had the time or opportunity to ask? You are not alone. The journey is filled with questions about practice, motivation, and getting the most out of lessons. Join us for a special Q&A session where our panel of expert violin teachers will provide real-world answers to your most pressing questions.

This discussion features a diverse group of violin teachers with extensive experience in music education. With expertise ranging from working with young beginners to preparing advanced students for auditions and competitions our panel offers a wealth of knowledge to support you at every stage of your musical journey.

This is your chance to ask anything you’ve ever wondered about violin playing! The afternoon discussion will be driven by your questions, and we encourage you to come prepared. Potential topics will include but not limited to:

  • Effective practice strategies for different ages

  • How to keep students motivated and engaged

  • Navigating the challenges of performance anxiety

  • The best way to support your child's musical development

  • Best practices for balancing music with academics, school activities and social life

  • How to apply all of our musical practices to general life experiences

Panelists will share their varying approaches to common challenges, from building consistency to maintaining motivation through difficult stages of learning and most importantly their experiences about fostering the love of music beyond technical skills.

 

“Evaluating and Maintaining Bowed String Instruments”

A practical guide to understanding, selecting, and caring for violins, violas, and cellos — with special focus on acoustical ability, playability, and investment value. Featuring a live soundpost - adjustment demonstration with Eric Wyrick, Concertmaster of the New Jersey Symphony.

Topics Covered

  • Old vs. New Instruments — myths, realities, and tonal differences

  • Origin and Prejudice — how provenance influences perception and price

  • Materials and the Beginning of Creation — how wood defines the tone and character of a fine string instrument

  • Workmanship and Aesthetics — what visual and structural details reveal about quality

  • The Devil Is in the Details: Setup — body length, neck length, stop length, vibrating string length, string afterlength, fingerboard projection, bridge shape, and spacing of strings on bridge and nut, plus proper string height over the fingerboard

  • All the Numbers Must Add Up — understanding correct measurements for optimal playability and acoustics

Also Covered

  • The most common flaws affecting tone, projection, and value

  • Practical tips for instrument maintenance and care

  • How to choose the right instrument for your level and goals

  • Open Q & A — bring your specific questions!