Cello Updates from Mike Block
“If you or someone you know plays cello, please join us… whether you’re a beginner or a professional, I think there’s something you’ll find interesting. I look forward to seeing you online!” - Mike Block, cello teacher at ArtistWorks
Mike Block checks in from his home studio to let us in on what’s going on in his world. Getting right to the music, he starts off with a nice groove riff for a new song he's working on, it sounds great!
The online cello curriculum at ArtistWorks draws on all the different kinds of music that Mike Block plays professionally. So while it does include a lot of groove-based rhythmic playing, it also covers traditional classical cello repertoire like “The Swan” by Camille Saint-Saëns - plus other styles like Bluegrass and Jazz cello. As is evident when you hear Mike play, the cello is a beautifully diverse instrument that sounds good no matter what style of music.
Besides recording Video Exchanges for his online students at ArtistWorks, Mike has been in the studio working on recording a couple new albums. One is based on American folk music and features guest musicians who include fellow ArtistWorks fiddle teacher Darol Anger. As Mike says, the folk project involves putting his own “personal creative influence into some very standard American folk songs.” He’s also recording an album of original material which features drums, samples, and electric guitar. We look forward to hearing some music from these projects soon!
Mike has a lot of exciting live shows coming up which he talks about in the video. He’s currently getting ready for go on tour with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, so be sure to check the latest information on that on their website. In addition, he’s playing a duo show in Portland, Oregon this weekend with the great classical violinist Rachel Barton Pine, you can find more info on that here. He’ll also be playing in San Antonio, TX this weekendwith tabla player Sandeep Das on February 13.
Coming up in March, Mike will be at the American String Teachers Association’s National Conference with his wife Hanneke Cassel. They will be performing together and will also have a booth so be sure to check them out if you’re at the conference taking place March 2-5 at the Tampa Convention Center - you can find more info on that here. Then in April he's playing a concerto with the Illinois Symphony in April, more info on that here. Beyond that be sure to check Mike’s website for the latest tour info!
Learn cello online with Mike Block at http://artistworks.com/mike-block
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