Violin Studies

Herd Studio

Thank you so much for your interest in the University of Tennessee and welcome to the studio website of Geoffrey Herd.

If you are an ambitious young violinist looking to develop your talents to the highest degree and forge a career for yourself in the exciting musical landscape of the 21st century, you have come to the right place.

Our studio has a culture of dedication, excellence and mutual support. We value collaboration over competition and seek to make a difference in our society using our art. Together we will work to strengthen the fundamentals of your playing, giving you the technique needed to share your musical ideas successfully with audiences.

Chamber Music

As collaboration is a central facet of any successful career today, I stress heavily the importance of becoming an excellent ensemble player. I encourage my students to participate in chamber music as many semesters as possible and to learn as much as possible about the string chamber music repertoire.

Summer Study

The activities that music students partake in over the summer are very nearly as important as what they do during the academic year. Our studio is very active throughout the country during the summer time. All of us, myself included, travel to music festivals throughout the summer months to expand our network and to learn and be inspired by new friends. In recent years, your prospective colleagues have attended top music festivals such as the Aspen, Brevard, Killington, Sarasota, Wintergreen, and Youth Music Guangzhou festivals. You will be amazed by the incredible amount of growth you can make at these intense and important events.

Guest Artists

At the University of Tennessee, you will have access to incredible guest artists throughout the year. During the 2018 – 2019 academic year, we will have Paul Kantor, from the Shepherd School of Music, Jinjoo Cho, winner of the Indianapolis International Violin Competition, Carolyn Huebl, Professor of Violin at Vanderbilt University, and many other fantastic guests on campus to work with you and share their expertise.

Suzuki Training

Beginning during the 2017-2018 academic year, we now offer Suzuki teacher training to our students at a steep discount. This year we will have two of the most reputable Suzuki Teacher Trainers, Teri Einfeldt and James Hutchins, on campus to train our students. Over the course of your study at UT, you will be able to, at a minimum, complete four books of training. Not only will you learn an immense amount about the fundamentals of the violin,