Young Bassists

Virginia Dixon is one of two Bass Teacher Trainers for the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the only Bass Trainer for the European Suzuki Association. Her trainees include bass professors, orchestra bassists, active performers, and conservatory students from 20 countries. Her mission has taken her to Copenhagen, Buenos Aires, Lima, Davos, and Edmonton, as well as across the United States. She is presently on the faculties of Elmhurst College and the Suzuki School of Elgin.

John Kennedy is orchestra director of Warner Middle School the Farmington (MI) Public Schools, principal bass of the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra, and music director of the Oakland Youth Orchestra. He maintains an active private studio. Nationally recognized as a clinician and teacher of young string bassists, Kennedy has served on the International Society of Bassists and has spearheaded its annual conventions. Also a composer and arranger, Kennedy has written more than 25 arrangements and original compositions for young bass ensembles and youth orchestras.

Tracy Rowell is a teacher of double bass at Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory Program. Rowell currently serves as principal bass for CityMusic Cleveland and performs with Apollo’s Fire and the Canton Symphony Orchestra. She is a soloist and chamber musician, having collaborated with Cavani, St. Lawrence, Pacifica, and Parker string quartets. She's performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, and at the Carmel Bach Festival. She maintains a private studio in Cleveland Heights (OH).

The cost to participate in the Hinton Young Bassists' program is $500. Parental participation is required. Parents are expected to accompany their young bassist to all program sessions. If you would like to stay in the dormitory and eat on-campus, the cost for a child and parent in a double room is $900, so that the total cost of the program with on campus housing for parent and child is: $1,400.

You may make an electronic payment with a credit card, or if you prefer to send a check, make it payable to Oberlin College and mail to address noted below. All payments are nonrefundable. 

To register, please complete the online application.

You may make an electronic payment for the $30 application fee with a credit card or through an electronic checking or savings account. If you prefer, make your check payable to Oberlin College. Mail application and check to:

Hinton Bass Institute Young Bassists
Conservatory of Music
77 W. College St.
Oberlin, OH 44074