External Resources
The following is a list of (mostly) websites that I either very much enjoy visiting, or have some kind of personal or professional connection to. They’re included here because I believe that they can be of great benefit to anyone that is already interested in my own site.
Center stage with the international society of bassists
If there has been one silver lining from the COVID pandemic, for me it was creating and producing the ISB’s Center Stage series. I organised over 50 of these online events, all free and open to anyone who wanted to participate in them. I invited guests such as Gary Karr, Dave Holland, Christian McBride, and Uxia Martinez-Botana. Check out the ISB’s website for access to archival videos, and to learn about future events.
Canadian school of double bass
As of May 2021, I have been named a co-author for the Canadian School of Double Bass books! We have refreshed Book 1: Daily Studies, and created an entire new volume with Book 2: Intervals Chords Arpeggios Scales. Due to some unfortunate Apple updates, the book will no longer be updated through the iBooks store, but these new versions still include links to instructional videos in a much more accessible PDF format, with both QR codes and hyperlinks for use either digitally or printed.
These books, as well as upcoming musical edition releases, are available in both fourths and fifths tuning editions from Joel’s store.
Studying bass with travis
If you’re interested in pursuing double bass lessons with me, I’m happy to discuss it! I’ve been teaching since 2004, and currently maintain a private studio, working mostly with post-graduate bassists as well as early-career professionals. I welcome any serious student at any age, and have experience teaching all levels and in all styles of classical music. I am totally equipped for remote teaching as well, and proudly have an excellent online teaching setup that I have been using since 2017.
As of Fall 2024, I am the classical double bass faculty member for University of Toronto, where I maintain a studio of bassists as well as teach performance classes on double bass. I will no longer be teaching at University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Music.
CANADA'S NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE ORCHESTRA
Over the past years, I’ve also had the great pleasure of performing with Ottawa’s National Arts Centre Orchestra as an additional musician. Most recently the NACO has branched out into some very interesting programming, such as the “Life Reflected” series, part of which will be featured in their upcoming cross-Canada tour.
artist training at the nac
My time in Ottawa was also heavily influenced by educational programs through the National Arts Centre, which I encourage any young musician to attend. If you can’t attend them, these videos of Pinchas Zukerman teaching students at his summer academy there are the next-best thing. More information on the Young Artists Program and Institute for Orchestral studies can be found on their education site.
THE WINNIPEG SYMPHONY
If you read my bio, you’ll see that my first tenured position was with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. The WSO also performs as the house orchestra for the Manitoba Opera, and for most of the ballets presented by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. I left the orchestra at the end of their 2018-2019 season, after six years of service, and as of August 2019 am overjoyed to be based out of my home town of Toronto.
International Society of Bassists
The ISB is an organization for those who teach, study, play, repair, build and enjoy the double bass. Our website is an enormous library of information and resources for the bassist, and an excellent central place to learn more about the current state of the instrument. It has a number of links worth following as well to various other resources in our bass community!
Atalay Harrison
To be clear, this has nothing to do with bass playing. I feel I would be irresponsible of me if I did not mention one of my greatest inspirations in art, my dear brother Atalay Harrison, who works as an architect and artist. He also has a beautiful website, and I am a huge fan of his work.
Charlotte o'hara
If you enjoy the look and functionality of my website, then you absolutely have to get in touch with my dear friend and the mastermind behind this website, the fabulous Charlotte O’Hara. She ticks all the boxes of someone that is professional, a pleasure to deal with, and easy to get along with and understand (which is important for anyone that has to deal with techies!). Please check out her website, and if you run your own website, I can’t recommend subscribing to her weekly newsletter enough.