Author: Jason

An active double bass performer and teacher, Jason teaches double bass at DePaul University and served on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Bassists for many years. Jason is the current President of the Illinois chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

Jason has been a member of the Elgin Symphony since 2000 and has played with the Midsummer’s Music Festival in Door County for the past decade. He is a past member of the Milwaukee Ballet and IRIS Orchestra, and has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, and numerous other professional ensembles.

270: Alexandre Ritter on method books, new works, and Brazilian double bass

Alexandre Ritter has become a champion of Armando Trovajoli’s work Sconcerto. Once you hear this amazing piece, you’ll understand why. Written for Franco Petracchi, this work has been largely unplayed until Alex got his hands on it. The process was complex, but Alex worked it out to record the entire piece and publish it on YouTube.  This piece is… Continue reading 270: Alexandre Ritter on method books, new works, and Brazilian double bass

269: Dennis Bergevin on public school teaching, professional development, and advising

Dennis Bergevin and I have a lot in common. He’s a bass player.  Me too. He taught public school orchestra.  So did I. His career has taken an unexpected turn. I totally identify with that. For Dennis, it was the interactions with the students that he found most valuable.  Not that the music wasn’t important,… Continue reading 269: Dennis Bergevin on public school teaching, professional development, and advising

268: Cornelia Watkins on private lesson teaching and Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance

I first learned about Cornelia (Corky) Watkins through my friend Jeremy Little.  Jeremy and I used to teach together in Illinois.  He is a proponent of a style of music teaching called Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance (CMP). Teaching music through this model is interesting.  CMP teaches the complete musician.  The intent is to provide music… Continue reading 268: Cornelia Watkins on private lesson teaching and Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance

267: Johnny Hamil on student motivation and building bass events

Johnny Hamil has dedicated his life to teaching bass. Starting out as a music education student, Johnny met George Vance at an International Society of Bassists Convention, and his life has never been the same since. After years of prodding from George, Johnny started the Kansas City Bass Workshop.  This event has grown into one… Continue reading 267: Johnny Hamil on student motivation and building bass events