The time I have spent studying with Helen has proven to be one of the most valuable experiences I have had in my life as a musician.  Working with Helen, with her never-fading encouragement and support, I grew not only as a violist, but also as a person.  Her sensitivity to each student’s background and her dedication to finding the best way for each individual have helped them to achieve their desired goals.  The greatest thing that I learned from Helen during my graduate studies was how to teach myself.  She has also taught me how to practice effectively as well as how to be a well-rounded musician, such as a chamber musician, a soloist, a teacher, and a thoughtful individual.  Helen’s total dedication, undying energy in teaching, and genuine interest in my goals as a violist have  really made a difference in my life and have inspired me to become a better musician.  Although all lessons and classes are very intense, she is an absolutely fun person to be around and makes the viola studio at UCSB a delightful place to be.  I’m forever grateful to Helen for inspiring me as a person and a violist with her consistently positive guidance.

Jennifer Eberhard is a graduate student of Helen Callus at UCSB.  Jennifer’s undergraduate studies took place in Indiana University and University of Michigan.  She participated in master classes given by Roberto Diaz, Donald McInnes, and the Juilliard String Quartet, among many others.  She's a formerly a violist in the UCSB’s Young Artists String Quartet and a winner of UCSB concerto competition.  Jennifer has been awarded fellowships and has participated in numerous music festivals in the US and Europe among them Aspen and Schleswig-Holstein in Germany and has performed in the Rochester Philharmonic in Rochester, NY, the Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra, the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra and the Santa Barbara Opera Orchestra, as well as many orchestras in and around Indiana and Michigan state as a principal violist.