research overview
- Professor Eckert's research and creative activities are focused on accessing the inner voice within. String education has become almost exclusively technically focused, separating the craft of playing from the art of playing. In teaching, the focus this past year has been on the personal investment of the student in their practice - creating a daily routine with the instrument that is internally rather than externally driven - to help the student create a lasting relationship and career with the viola. The individual lesson time offers the opportunity to create a unique listening atmosphere in each lesson with each student. This includes listening to the student's playing, but also the listening involved in holding space for the student to find their own way, a meditation of sorts. With the overwhelm of technology, pursuing excellence in music making, both individually and with others, developing tools to carve out this type of focus has become crucial in music study.
