The registration period for Better Bach Summer 2025 is now open!
Registration closes on June 11
June 16-29, 2025
BETTER BACH SUMMER
An immersive 2 week online course for cellists
Listen to Sophie perform the D Minor Prelude HERE
Following the success of last year's Better Bach Summer 2024 in which we explored Bach's G Major Prelude, Better Bach Summer 2025 offers you an opportunity to immerse yourself in a two week summer Cello Lab, exploring the introspective and absorbing scapes of Bach’s D Minor Prelude. Identify the biggest technical hurdles of the piece and how best to approach them (with musical exercises customized for learning this piece). Uncover the fascinating historical musical context of Bach’s Solo Cello Suites and his approach to composition. Learn approachable tools to help analyze the score and better understand its narrative structure (from identifying intervals, keys and chords to the significance of melodic contour and harmonic rate of change). Learn alongside and build a community with like-minded cello and Bach enthusiasts!
All levels are welcome. Join us now for an experience you don’t want to miss!
Total Program Cost = $300.
Maximum No. Participants = 25
RESULTS
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An expanded musical-technical toolkit for approaching a new piece of music, and in particular the Bach D Minor Prelude
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A toolkit of some of the most essential tools for shaping a story in music
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A deeper appreciation of Bach's genius
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A deeper understanding of one's own strengths and weaknesses in playing
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More focused, effective, and rewarding practice
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Increased confidence, freedom, power, and ease while playing
METHODOLOGY
Individual Sessions
I'll meet individually with you for two 30 mins sessions.
The first will take place the week before the course begins, and is a chance for us to get to know each other a little, to check your zoom set up, and for you to let me know your main areas of interest in taking this course (you are also encouraged to let me know this via email beforehand).
The second session is for us to go over any questions you may have about my observations and feedback on your two video recordings. This time can also be used for us to try out some ideas to help you.
Customized Feedback on Two Video Recordings
For this program, you are required to record two short videos of your playing. The first video (to be submitted by June 14 at the latest) is to give me an idea of your playing, as well as for me to give you some initial written feedback. If you have the Bach D Minor Prelude ready (or a section of it), I encourage you to submit that. If not, please record a short piece selection (ca 1-4 mins) of your choice.
The second recording (which can be the same piece/section of a piece) will be the discussion point for our second 30 mins Individual Session, in which I'll be providing more detailed recommendations for your playing and approach to the D Minor Prelude.
Cello Toolkit Workout
For each of the two weeks, I’ll lead a live one hour toolkit workout. These are designed as an introduction and group discussion of some of the most important technical aspects --and appropriate exercises --to prepare for playing Bach’s D Minor Prelude. The way we perform anything comes down to how we prepare. This is an opportunity to better understand how to optimize the preparation process (and can certainly be applied to other works and performances too). Each workout will be accompanied with a detailed Cello Toolkit pdf.
Live Studio Class
This 90 minute class is a chance for you to bring any individual trouble spots in the D Minor Prelude to the larger group for discussion and helpful feedback. Participants will sign up with trouble spots they would like to discuss ahead of the class, and provide a short video of themselves playing the part in question for live feedback and workshopping.
Storytelling (Score Analysis Toolkit)
A 60 minute class to introduce you to some of the essential Score Analysis Tools (many of which are fairly intuitive) for storytelling in the Bach Suites, as well as application of these in the context of the D Minor Prelude. Each workout will be accompanied with a detailed Score Analysis Toolkit pdf.
Small Group Sessions (on your choice of topic)
Work with three other students in small groups, learning from each other and the personalized feedback you receive from Dr. Sophie and your peers. These 60-minute sessions will focus on your choice of one of the following topics:
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storytelling (tools to understand form, structure, key areas, and phrasing)
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scales, skips and leaps (the significance of intervallic motion and hidden scales)
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the bow: weight transfer throughout its length and a deep dive into bow changes
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string crossings
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double stops
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deeper connection with your cello (focus on breathing, the curve of the bridge, freedom and power)
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bow distribution
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strengthening and simplifying the LH
Online Facebook Cello Community
This exclusive access forum is where you can come to share questions and discoveries about your cello work with the rest of us. I’ll also be monitoring the forum and providing feedback.
Online Social
For each of the two weeks, there will be a 60 minute optional online social for you to get to know your cello colleagues better, discuss your cello journeys, and brainstorm any roadblocks you may be encountering en route... from performance anxiety to warm up methods to favourite pre-practice cereal. Based on previous participants' experiences, I highly recommend participating! :)
Summer Challenge
For those looking for an extra challenge, this is an (optional) post-course opportunity to make and email me a complete video recording of the Bach D Minor Prelude incorporating approaches we discussed during the course. This should be emailed to me by 7PM PT on July 31. I will provide written feedback on all recordings received.
QUESTIONS
How much does the course cost?
The cost for the 2 week course is $300. Several payment options are available.
Are there any discounts available?
A discount of $25 is available to all Cello Lab and Better Bach alumni.
A $50 each discount is available for anyone who refers a friend to Better Bach ($50 for you, $50 for your friend).
The two discounts above can be stacked.
How do I register for the course?
To register for the course (during an open registration period), please email me at sophiewebbercellist@gmail.com, letting me know a little about your cello journey to date, and I will reply with the registration link.
When does registration close?
Places are limited. Registration for the course will close when 25 students enroll or on Tuesday, June 11, whichever comes first.
What do I need for the course?
You need a reliable internet connection and a device that can run Zoom (a computer is by far the most preferable , if possible). An ethernet cable (like this one) is highly recommended, in particular if you have any internet connectivity issues. A quality microphone (like this one) is recommended but not required. The camera set up for the program is also important in order for me --and for everyone --to be able to see your playing well. I need to at least see your face, both arms playing from frog to tip on all strings, and the bridge of your cello. This is something we will go over during the first Individual 30 minute session.
Your preferred note-taking device will certainly be handy for all of our session so you can take your own notes (as a reminder, all sessions are recorded for your future reference).
How long does the course run?
The course runs two weeks, from June 16, 2025 through June 29, 2025.
I’m busy or my schedule changes frequently, what if I can’t attend some of the live weekly meetings?
No problem! Recordings are made of all classes and will be available within 48-72 hours of the original class date for you to review at a more convenient time. Access to these recordings (which are compiled on a single YouTube playlist) is one of the highlights of an online course --you can replay any class as many times as you wish.
When will the group classes be held?
All group classes will be scheduled based on the group's collective availability. On June 11 (or earlier if enrollment is full sooner), I will send out a Doodle Availability Poll for you to indicate your daily hourly availability between 9AM - 6PM PT. The Doodle Poll will show you hours in your local timezone. I have found that we can typically find times that work for everyone most of the time (and again, any class that a student can't make live will be recorded for viewing at a later time). Upon enrollment, you will receive a link to a Google calendar where all session dates/times will be regularly updated.
I am a beginner, is this course for me?
Cellists who are at intermediate to professional level or above will benefit most from this course. It is preferable to have some level of familiarity with the Bach D Minor Prelude, but it is not required. The course can also be a teaser for you to start working on this beautiful work!
ABOUT DR SOPHIE
"outstanding... every note has meaning rather as a look or a touch does; the resulting conversations she has with the music are endlessly absorbing... Her subjective narrative suggests the freedom with which Pablo Casals brought the music back to life a century ago."
~LAURENCE VITTES | GRAMOPHONE
Dr Sophie's primary teachers and mentors include Richard Markson, Janos Starker, and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi. In addition, she has had the privilege to study extensively or in masterclass settings with Dr Helga Winold, Mme Maud Tortelier, Menahem Pressler, Gary Hoffman, Csaba Onczay, Sharon Robinson, amongst others. Sophie believes strongly that performing and teaching are naturally interlinked, and she is passionate about passing on the knowledge that she has assimilated from some of the greats, as well as through her own 25+ years of teaching.
Sophie has served as cello faculty at Southeast Missouri State University, Jacobs School of Music Summer Clinic, Oxford Cello School, Trinity College of Music Junior Department, Lake Forest College and the Music Institute of Chicago. She is a keen music theorist and pianist, and held a position as Music Theory Instructor at Indiana University for four years. She has taught a variety of university level courses, and is frequently invited to give guest masterclasses at universities across the States. Following the pandemic's push to move more music teaching online, Dr Sophie has also given regular online cello lessons and classes for the past three years. In 2024, Sophie began teaching an online cello course, “Dr Sophie Cello Lab,” including group and individual instruction, international guest cellist clinicians, and with a strong community component.
Sophie's students have served as section and principal cellists in the Chicago and San Diego Youth Symphony Orchestras, have won or been placed in regional and national competitions (such as State Youth Concerto Competitions, the Society of American Musicians Competition, MidWest Young Artists Discover National Chamber Music Competition, Confucius Chinese Fine Arts Society Competition, and the Walgreen National Concerto Competition) and have gone on to study cello performance at some of the nation's top music schools.
As a performer, Dr Sophie has performed across the States and in the UK, has received numerous awards and prizes for her playing, and has released three critically acclaimed albums, "Escape: Bach's Six Suites for Solo Cello" (2018), "b2c: Bach to Choir" (2020), and "Roots: Transcriptions of Romantic Works for Cello and Piano" (2022, with pianist Ines Irawati). Her music has been played on many of the top classical music radio stations across the US and in the UK.