String Impact Summer Experience

Welcome to the String Impact Summer Experience Camp of 2024! 🎻🌟

Get ready for an unforgettable musical journey designed just for you! 🎶

What's in Store:

Join us for a fantastic camp experience tailored for string musicians and educators, whether you play the Violin, Viola, Cello, or Upright Bass. Our camp is all about Harmony Building, Improv Lab and Fundamentals, Quality Placement, and a special "Ear" Training session – we call it "Listening In." 🎵 And guess what? It all leads up to our grand Finale Concert, where you get to showcase your newfound skills!

Our goal is to change perspectives, outlooks, and standards, all while having a blast.

Who Can Join:

Whether you've been playing for years or just picked up your instrument yesterday, everyone is welcome! With a specialized curriculum, we ensure that everyone can walk away knowing more and feeling better than they did before!

Why Join:

We believe in breaking free from the "classical box" and exploring the full potential of your musical journey. This camp is all about building a versatile skill set on your instrument. We want to inspire you to think outside the norm, tapping into your creativity and musical expression.

What's on the Agenda:

- Harmony Building: Because making music together is the best kind of harmony.

- Improv Lab and Fundamentals: Unleash your creativity and play with the basics!

- Quality Placement: Learn the secrets to sounding your best.

- "Ear" Training (Listening In): Sharpen your listening skills and tune into the music around you.

- Finale Concert: Your chance to shine and share your musical journey with friends and family.

The instructors are here to guide you through fun, laughter, and musical discoveries. We bring our passion for music to create an atmosphere where everyone can grow, learn, and have a great time.

For the Beginner Student:

- Be able to hold instrument and play with the bow

- Be able to play any one octave scale

For the Intermediate Student:

- Be able to play a one octave major/minor scale

- Be able to read sheet music/notation

- Be able to play dotted rhythms

- Be able to play in the following major keys - C, G, D, F, and Bb

- Be able to play in the following minor keys - A, E, B, D, and G

For the Advance Student:

- Be able to play a two octave major/minor scale

- Be able to read sheet music/notation

- Be able to play anticipations and dotted rhythms

- Be able to play in the following major keys - C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb, and Ab

- Be able to play in the following minor keys - A, E, B, F#, C#, D, G, C, and F

Review the excerpts below to help assess your comfort level with the skills mentioned and provide insight into your placement.

Join Us:

Are you ready to break free from the ordinary? Come join us at the String Impact Summer Experience Camp of 2024, where music knows no limits, and every note is an opportunity for something extraordinary. Let's make music magic together!

See you at camp! 🎻✨

Intermediate Excerpt

Advance Excerpt

String Impact Summer Experience Finale Concert 2024

String Impact Summer Experience Finale Concert 2023

String Impact Summer Experience Finale Concert Cello Ensemble

String Impact Summer Experience Cello Ensemble

The Audience

String Impact Summer Experience Weekday Workshop

Meet the Team

String Impact Summer Experience

Lead Director

Tia Ward

Tia Ward, a multi-instrumentalist and performer, has been passionately playing the violin since the fourth grade. Her musical prowess extends beyond personal enjoyment, as she currently performs for weddings, parties, and various social events. Tia has shared the stage with notable musicians like Black Violin, Bobby Floyd, and Ukrainian violinist Assia Ahhatt. Recently earning a scholarship, she has been accepted into Berklee College of Music and plans to attend in the fall. Tia is a two-time winner of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc, Eta Nu Nu Chapters Talent Hunt Competition and has received the prestigious 20 under 20 award from the Mayor of Columbus. As the Co-Founder of String Impact alongside her business partner and friend Asa Simpson-Cole, Tia is dedicated to using music as a force for change, hope, love, and peace. Her extracurricular activities include Urban Strings Columbus where she is a student conductor and volunteering for the community. Tia looks forward to attending college to further nurture her passion for music.

Lead Director

Asa Simpson-Cole

Asa Simpson-Cole is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, graphic artist, and songwriter with notable collaborations including Black Violin, Naseem Alatrash, and Donald Glover. Currently pursuing a double major in Music Education and Pro-Music at Berklee College of Music, Simpson-Cole focuses on Screen Scoring, Music Performance, and Music Business. His passion for education extends to his role as Standing Director at Urban Strings Columbus Youth Orchestra and his work with the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra. A seasoned composer, Simpson-Cole effortlessly creates original pieces and values authentic connections with his audience. Co-founding "String Impact" during the 2020 pandemic, he and his friend Tia Ward expanded the initiative in 2023 to include an immersive summer program teaching music "by ear." Simpson-Cole's proudest accomplishment is fostering inclusivity in the music world, evident in his plans for a traveling youth and adult orchestra that embraces diversity and eliminates feelings of isolation for musicians of all backgrounds.

Assistant Director

Blake Collins

Blake Collins is a violinist from Columbus Ohio. He is currently finishing his undergraduate degree at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music preparing for Graduate school. Blake is a long-time member and alumni of Urban Strings Columbus. In his career he has opened for the Grammy Award winning Harlem Quartet and studied under members of the Dover String Quartet. Blake's current teacher is Dr. Steven Sang Koh at the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music as well as Internationally renowned cellist Khari Joyner. Blake is also the current concertmaster of the Baldwin Wallace Symphony Orchestra. Blake's current focus is on teaching students, chamber music, conducting, solo/orchestra playing, and of course finishing up his studies.

Assistant Director

Mitchell Franklin

Mitchell Franklin, is an accomplished cellist with over 30 years of experience, and serves as the Assistant Director and Director of Operations for the Urban Strings Columbus Youth Orchestra. He is a graduate of Hilliard High School and Miami University (Ohio), Mr. Franklin is not only dedicated to his musical pursuits but is also an integral part of the Bethany Presbyterian Church choir, where he holds the position of Deacon. Additionally, Mitchell contributes to the development of young musicians as a coach and educator, providing private lessons to students within the Urban Strings Columbus Youth Orchestra.