Dear Violists!
My name is Christian Kim, and I am honored to lead the Viola platform at tonebase.
Coming from the Violin, my journey with the viola began almost 20 years ago when I first picked it up to play chamber music with some of my closest friends in college. What started as a collaborative effort quickly turned into a lifelong passion — one that has enriched my musical journey in ways I could never have imagined. Curating the viola platform has been a true labor of love, and all of us at tonebase are thrilled to finally share tonebase Viola with you.
The viola is an instrument that captures the soul like no other. While all instruments have their unique allure, there is something profoundly captivating about the viola. Its deep, resonant sound is often described as the closest to the human voice, capable of expressing a wide range of emotions with unparalleled depth and warmth. However, this rich sound doesn’t come easily — the viola demands a level of attentiveness and intentionality in sound production that requires constant focus.
But when everything aligns, the resulting sound is nothing short of breathtaking, embodying elegance, emotion, depth and an almost ethereal quality.
In developing the viola platform, I made it a priority to invite a diverse array of world-class artists who could not only teach the staples of the viola repertoire, like the Bartók, Walton, and Stamitz Concertos, but who are passionate about sharing their insights into the technical aspects of playing that they consider most vital for violists. Our lineup features some of the most respected soloists, chamber musicians, and pedagogues in the world, including luminaries like Kim Kashkashian, Richard O'Neill, Matthew Lipman, Ettore Causa, Muriel Razavi, Dimitri Murrath, and many more.
These artists have poured their passion and expertise into creating in-depth courses that cover everything from foundational techniques and differences between violin and viola, to advanced performance practices. Whether it’s:
- Exploring body ergonomics with Ettore Causa,
- Mastering intonation with Richard O'Neill,
- Perfecting shifting with Dimitri Murrath, or
- Exploring the intersection of Tai Chi and Karen Tuttle Coordination with the legendary Kim Kashkashian…
Our goal is to offer you the most comprehensive and inspiring viola courses in the world.
All of these courses, and many more, are available now on tonebase Viola. Click here to sign up for a free 14-day trial and see for yourself how tonebase can accelerate your viola progress.
Though we are launching with a wonderful library steeped in core repertoire and technique, we will be bringing you new courses with an ever-expanding roster of world-class soloists, chamber musicians, leading orchestral players and pedagogues regularly. There will always be something new on tonebase Viola!
We are also building a vibrant community where you can connect with fellow violists, participate in LIVE streams with our artists, and continue to refine your craft through shared experiences. I look forward to meeting you and interacting with you in the coming weeks and months, as we launch our LIVE streams and Two-Week Intensives. As you’ll soon see, tonebase Viola is much more than a video course library. It’s a living community that exists to help you get involved, ask questions, and most importantly — make music!
I am incredibly excited about the future of the viola platform at tonebase, and I can't wait to see how it will inspire and elevate your own musical journey.
Christian Kim
