Circling Around: The Violin Virtuosi (2006)

This inspiring film follows the Violin Virtuosi through preliminary lessons and rehearsals, challenging master classes, and performances, taking these young "virtuosi" from stages in Bloomington, Indiana to France and Japan. In their own words, young violinists, their parents, and mentors provide a remarkable glimpse of what it takes to become a world-class performer. In single-camera POV style, the viewer is invited to witness home life, personal sacrifice, growing friendships, musical struggles and triumphs, and the thrill of capacity-crowd performances. Circling Around features interviews with the world renowned (and former String Academy student) Joshua Bell and his mother; extended performance footage; and performances of Brahms, Copland, Sarasate, and Kreisler. The film also includes an original soundtrack by director/composer, Hideki Isoda, performed by jazz recording artist Sara Caswell.