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Electric Violin Labs to Host Free Summer Workshop Series for String Educators

In a groundbreaking initiative, Electric Violin Labs (EVL), founded by Dr. Jess Ingrassellino, announces a series of free summer professional development workshops aimed specifically at string educators. K-12 orchestra directors, private studio teachers, music administrators, and university faculty can join these workshops. This three-part series is not just a training program; it aims to address a critical gap in contemporary string education.

Addressing the Gap in Music Education

Today's students are immersed in a variety of musical genres that include film scores, hip-hop, lo-fi beats, video game soundtracks, and more. Despite this diverse musical upbringing, many traditional music programs are still heavily focused on classical training. This disconnect is one of the primary reasons students often leave string programs during transitional periods, particularly between middle and high school.

A peer-reviewed study published in 2024 in Frontiers in Psychology elaborates on this issue. It highlights three internal factors—autonomy, competency, and relatedness—as pivotal in determining whether students remain engaged in music education. The EVL workshops are designed to foster an environment that is supportive and motivating, which aligns with the findings of this research.

Workshop Details

The workshop series consists of three 60-minute sessions, each designed to equip teachers with the resources they need:
1. From Classical to Contemporary: Expanding Your String Program - This workshop introduces a framework that encourages educators to “translate, not replace” classical repertoires with contemporary music selections, enriching the educational experience without losing traditional roots.
2. What Students Actually Learn from Electric Strings: STEAM + Music Integration - Aimed at music administrators, this session maps out the academic and educational standards relevant to electric strings, all while aligning with the National Core Arts Standards.
3. Using Effects to Teach Musical Concepts and Creative Listening - This workshop explores how effects pedals can serve as an engaging tool for teaching dynamics, timbre, and form, ultimately enhancing students’ musical understanding.

All workshops are structured to be administrator-friendly and produce tangible classroom-ready materials, allowing participants to implement new teaching strategies immediately. Attendees will receive comprehensive resources, including worksheets, outlines, and assessment tools.

Pathway to Further Learning

While this initial series is offered free of charge, it serves as a gateway to a more extensive ten-workshop curriculum that EVL provides for educators. These follow-up sessions delve deeper into specialized topics such as budget-conscious lab building, choice-based assessment methods, signal chain instruction, improvisation, and looping techniques.

About Electric Violin Labs

Founded by Dr. Jess Ingrassellino—a software engineer, educator, and electric violinist—EVL is dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional string education and contemporary performance techniques. With an ethos centered around using electric strings and effects as vehicles for core musical concepts, EVL seeks to redefine music education for the modern era. Additionally, a free introduction to their electric strings curriculum is readily accessible for those interested in exploring this innovative approach.

For more information on the free workshops and to register, please visit the Electric Violin Labs website. Sign up today to be part of a movement that is revolutionizing music education for string teachers across the nation!