O'Connor Method Teacher Training

Mark O’Connor conducts Teacher Training Books I & II and III & IV

Mark O’Connor, along with his wife Maggie, conduct all official teacher training in the O’Connor Method for violin and strings. A comprehensive 24-hour certification program from the Method’s author will cover all of the teaching points in each successive piece. This groundbreaking sequence of tunes for beginners has convincingly ushered in A New American School of String Playing around the globe. Mark and Maggie will share key insights to the repertoire, learning philosophies, music styles, and how to inspire children to love music, learn string instruments more efficiently, and see the path to becoming a musical artist. They will also provide instruction on teacher-student duos, accompanying students from your instrument, and how these methods translate to ensembles, group classes, and string orchestra. This training will emphasize how to use the method books thoroughly, taking advantage of the book’s learning pages, history boxes, charts, set up, exercises for theory, ear training, improvisation, and bow and finger development. Approaches to tone, rhythm, vibrato, scales, phrasing, harmony, chords, counterpoint, and practice routines will be both demonstrated on the violin and verbally communicated. Mark and Maggie's teaching emphasizes creativity, cultural relevance, and excellent technique as hallmarks for American string playing. 

LOCATION: Myers Park Baptist Church, 13501 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28278

DATES: July 22 - Book 1; July 23 - Book 2; July 24 - Book 3; July 25 - Book 4

COST: $600 for the 4-day course on 4 books OR $300 for 2 days (Books I & II OR Books III & IV)

CEUs: Gardner-Webb University CEUs, 0.6 CEU per day (2.4 CEUs for 4-day course); $20 fee