Michael Hopkins

Michael Hopkins is an Associate Professor in the Department of Music at the University of Vermont, where he conducts the University Symphony Orchestra and teaches courses in music education and music technology. Hopkins earned a Bachelor's Degree in music education from Colorado State University and a Masters and Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Michigan.

Hopkins is active as a composer, conductor, teacher, performer, and researcher. His music is published by Alfred Music Publishing, Grand Mesa Music , Tunbridge Music, and Kendor Music Publishing, Inc. Recent releases include Avalanche from Alfred, Picnic in the Park and The Ash Grove from Kendor, and Moonlight Reflections and Regal Overture from Grand Mesa. In 2006 the Burlington Choral Society gave the premiere of his large work for choir and orchestra, From Revenge to Forgiveness: Seven Songs of War and Peace.

He has conducted the University of Vermont Symphony Orchestra since 1999, and is the music director of the Burlington Chamber Orchestra. He has appeared as a guest conductor at orchestra festivals in Colorado, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, Nevada, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and New York. In the Fall of 2005 he was the guest conductor for the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra. As a double bassist, he has performed with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Hanover Chamber Orchestra, Burlington Choral Society and the Ft. Collins, Greeley , Cheyenne, and Ann Arbor symphony orchestras. He also gives several solo and chamber music performances on double bass each year.

To learn more about his current activities, please visit his website.

Credits

In addition to Professor Culver's course, a tremendous amount of information came to me through courses at the American String Workshops which were held in Ann Arbor, MI during June of 1992-1996

I received tremendous insight into my own playing from Stuart Sankey, Professor of Double Bass at the University of Michigan, who passed away in 2000.

I would also like to thank Carolyn Lukancic, John Dunlop, Bret Smith, James Froseth, Steve Reiley, Alec Mariani, Steve McNeal, Cameron Law, Lori Buonamici, Sandra Lascarro, Abby Alwin, Chris Hill, Anne Ogren, James Gross, Carol and Mark Palms, Anthony Stoops, Bob Phillips, Andy Dabcyzinski, Randy Sabien, and all the other great people with whom I have worked and learned so much from.

Special thanks to Roy Feldman for his assistance with the Care and Maintenance section and the staff of the Burlington Violin Shop. Thanks also to Joe Antoniolli, Graham Budd and Shirley Gedeon at the UVM Center for Teaching and Learning.

I created this website in response to an idea that all people in the world, regardless of where they live, can now get access to quality information about string pedagogy thanks to the internet. The inclusion of images and movies can help people who may not have access to a local expert. Since this website began in 1996, I have received feedback from every continent (except Antarctica!) It is my sincere hope that the information on this site will continue to help improve the quality of string teaching and learning throughout the world.

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