Promisek Solo String Workshops
For those beginning to explore solo string repertoire or returning to it many times over, these workshops provide in-depth exploration of this magnificent repertoire.
PROMISEK SOLO STRING
WORKSHOPS 2025
For those beginning to explore solo string repertoire, or returning to it many times over, these workshops provide in-depth exploration of this magnificent repertoire—and so much more!
Summer workshops for string players
in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Katie Lansdale, violinist and director
Gary Capozziello, teacher of violin, Alexander Technique, and meditation
August 5-10, August 12-17
Open to professional players and teachers, pre-college students, college/grad students, and amateurs. Though there will indepth exploration of the solo Bach violin works, we also welcome violists, cellists, and bassists.
Join us this summer for any and all of these!
SOLO BACH
HINDEMITH SOLO SONATAS
20-21st CENTURY MUSIC and VIRTUOSO REPERTOIRE
From Paganini to Ysaye, to 20th century innovations, to the newest of the 21st!
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
Celebrating pieces by composers from under-represented demographic groups. If needed, contact us for suggestions of pieces.
ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS
Bring the excerpts that interest you!
Participants should plan to work on any or all of this music. Pick your path!
WHAT WE WILL DO:
We will combine lessons, masterclasses, practice pods, and lively discussion sessions. Participants will also have practice time on the premises. The workshops include group playing of string ensemble music, listening to professional performances, and interactions with "practice pods", or small groups of participants working towards similar goals. Participants may also request coachings on orchestral excerpts. The workshop ends with group and solo performances in a Sunday afternoon concert on the last day of the workshop.
--- Participants will observe and perform in Masterclasses/Lessons with Katie Lansdale and Gary Capozziello. They also play every day for a small group of other participants at the workshop (“practice pods”)
--- Gary Capozziello will also lead the group sessions in Meditation and Alexander Technique
---Thanks to enthusiastic requests from last year's participants, each workshop will include explorations of How to Prepare for Auditions
--- During free time, participants are welcome to hike the surrounding area and explore the renowned, on-site historic garden. Meals are communal. We also offer optional evening group activities.
The workshop lasts 6 days, but participants have the option of coming for fewer days. You can also choose to come for 2 weeks (combining two weeklong workshops).
Where: Promisek, a communal educational and environmental estate located on the Three Rivers Farm in Bridgewater, CT. 860-350-8226.
Driving/GPS Address: 694 Skyline Ridge Rd, Bridgewater CT 06752. Postal Address: Promisek, Inc. , P.O. Box 402, Bridgewater CT 06752. http://www.promisek.org/.
Food: meals are provided and prepared/cleaned communally. On the registration form, please note any special allergies or dietary needs.
SCHEDULE
Each workshop lasts Tuesday through Sunday, ending by 5:00 (EST) Sunday. The daily schedule begins at 9 (EST) and ends most days by 5 (or 4 for commuters who need to leave early ). (**Please note that there are alternate schedules available for those who need a shorter day. Please let us know if you are interested.)
Participants are welcome to arrive on Monday at 5 pm or later, unless they choose to arrive the next day, by 9 am Tuesday morning.
Tuesday through Saturday, the workshop begins daily at 9:30 and ends by 5pm (or 4 for commuters). Optional evening events will be offered, including hiking, puzzles/games, ice cream outing, and more!
Participants can expect to be able to leave Sunday around 6:30, unless they choose to stay overnight.
REGISTRATION
The size of the workshop group will be limited. Sign up soon if interested.
Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1c7_vyHCxGs7fqkAwtjS3ZIP8oAN0TgCdqbvSeUnWnu4/edit
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Tuition
Tuition
6 days--- $670 per participant, $240 per auditor.
It is recommended that participants attend for 6 days. However, to accommodate those with limited availability, two other options are possible:
4 days----$447 per participant, $160 per auditor.
2 days---$223 per participant, $80 per auditor
*Note: commuters subtract $4/day to remove cost of dinner
Lodging
Participants have the option to stay overnight in the Main House. Rooms are limited to the first 10 people to sign up, and need to be reserved as soon as possible. Some participants will be assigned roommates. Lodging is an additional $25 a night.
Connecticut participants are welcome to commute if they choose to.
Please pay for tuition plus lodging by check or Venmo. Send a non-refundable check (made out to Katie Lansdale) to 184 Fans Rock Rd, Hamden CT 06518, or Venmo (Katie-Lansdale)
Questions? Please write us at [email protected]
BIOGRAPHIES
A highly accomplished soloist, chamber musician and teacher, Katie Lansdale has garnered particular acclaim for over a decade for her performances of solo Bach. Invited to present Bach at the Juilliard-Delay Symposium in NYC in 2013, she has frequently done so at summer festivals and teachers’ organizations, including the National Suzuki Conference in Minnesota. She has written about Bach for American String Teachers and Strings magazines. Dr. Lansdale has performed the complete solo Bach cycle over a dozen times in N. and S. America. She teaches at Boston Conservatory, and at the Hartt School (University of Hartford), where she is also a member of the resident chamber ensemble, the Lions Gate Trio (www.lionsgatetrio.com).
“This is one of the best recordings out there of this music.”
-- American Record Guide,
reviewing Lansdale’s Bach CD
(available at Amazon.com)
“In Lansdale’s hands, the music came alive again and plumbed the soul. A remarkable, magical evening--one in which the music seemed as it must have when played the very first time, perhaps from still-damp manuscript paper. It was that revealing.”
--concert review, Spectator, Durham, NC
Award-winning violinist Gary Capozziello enjoys a multifaceted career as a versatile performer and educator. Praised for his dynamic performances, he has garnered acclaim from sources such as WTNH, The Hartford Courant, Broadwayworld.com, and the American League of Orchestras. Gary's achievements have been highlighted in Hartford Magazine's 2018 feature "Inspired: A Renaissance of Young Artists," and the 2023 cover of "The Artful Mind." With recent concerto engagements including performances with esteemed ensembles like the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the New Haven Civic Orchestra, and the Connecticut Valley Orchestra, Gary remains active as a soloist, chamber musician, and Assistant Concertmaster of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. He has also received first prize in the Paranov Competition, and was honored with the Jerry Malafronte Award for Musical Excellence and the Peter/Wright Music Memorial Prize. In addition to his accomplishments as a performer, Gary is deeply passionate about sharing his expertise in the Alexander Technique and Mindfulness practices, empowering students and fellow musicians to tap into their deepest potential and cultivate a harmonious connection between body and instrument. Formerly faculty at Quinnipiac University, Gary teaches at the Hartt School of Music, Promisek Bach+ workshops, and the Hotchkiss School.
WORKSHOPS 2025
For those beginning to explore solo string repertoire, or returning to it many times over, these workshops provide in-depth exploration of this magnificent repertoire—and so much more!
Summer workshops for string players
in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Katie Lansdale, violinist and director
Gary Capozziello, teacher of violin, Alexander Technique, and meditation
August 5-10, August 12-17
Open to professional players and teachers, pre-college students, college/grad students, and amateurs. Though there will indepth exploration of the solo Bach violin works, we also welcome violists, cellists, and bassists.
Join us this summer for any and all of these!
SOLO BACH
HINDEMITH SOLO SONATAS
20-21st CENTURY MUSIC and VIRTUOSO REPERTOIRE
From Paganini to Ysaye, to 20th century innovations, to the newest of the 21st!
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD
Celebrating pieces by composers from under-represented demographic groups. If needed, contact us for suggestions of pieces.
ORCHESTRAL EXCERPTS
Bring the excerpts that interest you!
Participants should plan to work on any or all of this music. Pick your path!
WHAT WE WILL DO:
We will combine lessons, masterclasses, practice pods, and lively discussion sessions. Participants will also have practice time on the premises. The workshops include group playing of string ensemble music, listening to professional performances, and interactions with "practice pods", or small groups of participants working towards similar goals. Participants may also request coachings on orchestral excerpts. The workshop ends with group and solo performances in a Sunday afternoon concert on the last day of the workshop.
--- Participants will observe and perform in Masterclasses/Lessons with Katie Lansdale and Gary Capozziello. They also play every day for a small group of other participants at the workshop (“practice pods”)
--- Gary Capozziello will also lead the group sessions in Meditation and Alexander Technique
---Thanks to enthusiastic requests from last year's participants, each workshop will include explorations of How to Prepare for Auditions
--- During free time, participants are welcome to hike the surrounding area and explore the renowned, on-site historic garden. Meals are communal. We also offer optional evening group activities.
The workshop lasts 6 days, but participants have the option of coming for fewer days. You can also choose to come for 2 weeks (combining two weeklong workshops).
Where: Promisek, a communal educational and environmental estate located on the Three Rivers Farm in Bridgewater, CT. 860-350-8226.
Driving/GPS Address: 694 Skyline Ridge Rd, Bridgewater CT 06752. Postal Address: Promisek, Inc. , P.O. Box 402, Bridgewater CT 06752. http://www.promisek.org/.
Food: meals are provided and prepared/cleaned communally. On the registration form, please note any special allergies or dietary needs.
SCHEDULE
Each workshop lasts Tuesday through Sunday, ending by 5:00 (EST) Sunday. The daily schedule begins at 9 (EST) and ends most days by 5 (or 4 for commuters who need to leave early ). (**Please note that there are alternate schedules available for those who need a shorter day. Please let us know if you are interested.)
Participants are welcome to arrive on Monday at 5 pm or later, unless they choose to arrive the next day, by 9 am Tuesday morning.
Tuesday through Saturday, the workshop begins daily at 9:30 and ends by 5pm (or 4 for commuters). Optional evening events will be offered, including hiking, puzzles/games, ice cream outing, and more!
Participants can expect to be able to leave Sunday around 6:30, unless they choose to stay overnight.
REGISTRATION
The size of the workshop group will be limited. Sign up soon if interested.
Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1c7_vyHCxGs7fqkAwtjS3ZIP8oAN0TgCdqbvSeUnWnu4/edit
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Tuition
Tuition
6 days--- $670 per participant, $240 per auditor.
It is recommended that participants attend for 6 days. However, to accommodate those with limited availability, two other options are possible:
4 days----$447 per participant, $160 per auditor.
2 days---$223 per participant, $80 per auditor
*Note: commuters subtract $4/day to remove cost of dinner
Lodging
Participants have the option to stay overnight in the Main House. Rooms are limited to the first 10 people to sign up, and need to be reserved as soon as possible. Some participants will be assigned roommates. Lodging is an additional $25 a night.
Connecticut participants are welcome to commute if they choose to.
Please pay for tuition plus lodging by check or Venmo. Send a non-refundable check (made out to Katie Lansdale) to 184 Fans Rock Rd, Hamden CT 06518, or Venmo (Katie-Lansdale)
Questions? Please write us at [email protected]
BIOGRAPHIES
A highly accomplished soloist, chamber musician and teacher, Katie Lansdale has garnered particular acclaim for over a decade for her performances of solo Bach. Invited to present Bach at the Juilliard-Delay Symposium in NYC in 2013, she has frequently done so at summer festivals and teachers’ organizations, including the National Suzuki Conference in Minnesota. She has written about Bach for American String Teachers and Strings magazines. Dr. Lansdale has performed the complete solo Bach cycle over a dozen times in N. and S. America. She teaches at Boston Conservatory, and at the Hartt School (University of Hartford), where she is also a member of the resident chamber ensemble, the Lions Gate Trio (www.lionsgatetrio.com).
“This is one of the best recordings out there of this music.”
-- American Record Guide,
reviewing Lansdale’s Bach CD
(available at Amazon.com)
“In Lansdale’s hands, the music came alive again and plumbed the soul. A remarkable, magical evening--one in which the music seemed as it must have when played the very first time, perhaps from still-damp manuscript paper. It was that revealing.”
--concert review, Spectator, Durham, NC
Award-winning violinist Gary Capozziello enjoys a multifaceted career as a versatile performer and educator. Praised for his dynamic performances, he has garnered acclaim from sources such as WTNH, The Hartford Courant, Broadwayworld.com, and the American League of Orchestras. Gary's achievements have been highlighted in Hartford Magazine's 2018 feature "Inspired: A Renaissance of Young Artists," and the 2023 cover of "The Artful Mind." With recent concerto engagements including performances with esteemed ensembles like the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, the New Haven Civic Orchestra, and the Connecticut Valley Orchestra, Gary remains active as a soloist, chamber musician, and Assistant Concertmaster of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. He has also received first prize in the Paranov Competition, and was honored with the Jerry Malafronte Award for Musical Excellence and the Peter/Wright Music Memorial Prize. In addition to his accomplishments as a performer, Gary is deeply passionate about sharing his expertise in the Alexander Technique and Mindfulness practices, empowering students and fellow musicians to tap into their deepest potential and cultivate a harmonious connection between body and instrument. Formerly faculty at Quinnipiac University, Gary teaches at the Hartt School of Music, Promisek Bach+ workshops, and the Hotchkiss School.
