Cascadia Viols holds workshops, as well as online mini-workshops throughout each year. Our events are led by professional violists, who are invited to develop a musical theme and teach the music to attendees on a single day. Workshop themes may revolve entirely around a specific composer, musical style, or could be focused on a specific technical aspect of viol playing. The main purpose of our workshops is to allow players the opportunity to play in a consort and work on accessible and more challenging music in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
All in-person workshops take place at St. Michael’s & All Angels Church 1704 NE 43rd Ave, Portland OR unless otherwise specified.
In-Person Workshop Fees: $55 for Members | $75 for Non-Members
Online Workshop Fees: Free for Members | $20 for Non-Members
During the workshop registration process, players will be asked to self-identify their playing level, using the Viola da Gamba Society of America’s rating system. Although our events are accessible to most playing levels, players should have a good understanding of their instrument, including fingerings, bowing, string crossings, as well as be proficient at reading sheet music.
Our in-person workshops begin at 9:30am and end at 4:00pm (including a one-hour lunch break) at St. Michael and All Angels Church at 1704 NE 43rd Ave in Portland, Oregon. Depending on the theme prepared by the professional presenter, we will either remain in a large group throughout the entire day, or begin in a large group and break into smaller groups in the afternoon. Attendees will be put into split groups based on their self-identified playing level during registration.
Registration closes 7 days prior to the workshop date posted on our website. Attendees will then receive an email containing log-in information to download the music from our website. Included in the files is a part-assignment document, which will list all the workshop attendees and their part assignments.
Yes! All attendees must be vaccinated for COVID-19, and must be able to provide proof of vaccination if asked by the workshop staff. Although we do not currently mandate mask usage, we monitor Multnomah County health guidance, and will adjust our guidelines based upon professional health information available. If you have any concerns, please feel free to reach out to us at info@cascadiaviols.org
As the experience of the other players at the workshop depends on the attendance of everyone, we ask that you please inform us at info@cascadiaviols.org as soon as you know you are unable to attend. Of course, we ask that any person who feels too unwell to attend to please stay home. If you are unable to attend, you will be offered a full refund of your registration fee or you can donate the fee to Cascadia viols if you wish.

Alison Crum | October 10, 2026
Dowland’s Delight
Alison Crum will be known to many of our members for her three workshops on Zoom over the last few years. Finally she will come to Portland in person to give a one day workshop for Cascadia Viols.
Most of the music we play will be taken from Dowland’s most famous collection of instrumental music – Lachrimae – published in 1604, but in the afternoon we will break into smaller groups and also include a few pieces from some of his other publications.

Erik Andersen | November 14, 2026
Workshop information forthcoming

Vottorio Ghielmi | December 12, 2026
Online workshop information forthcoming

John Cox | February 27, 2027
Workshop information forthcoming

Adrienne Hyde | March 20, 2027
Workshop information forthcoming

Ros Morely | April 17, 2027
Workshop information forthcoming