Clarification and Reminders

Hey Everyone, this week marks the start of the second trimester in my pregnancy! I am so grateful that I got through lessons as well as I did considering the nausea I was trying to hide for about 2 months. I thought I was completely giving myself away with the snacking, trips to the bathroom and the odd 'gag cough' (sorry to anyone who noticed those!).

This is the first week I have started to feel more like myself since March, except for my ever expanding waist line (and this is just the start)! I also just wanted to mention that I didn't mean any disrespect from the last post. I think I needed to write it more for myself than anything else. Even though I have taken care of kids of all ages my entire life, it's definitely going to be a learning curve having my own child and starting my own family, as I know it is for everyone. Thank you again to everyone for your support in my pregnancy and the violin school. I wouldn't have this amazing and simple life if it wasn't for your support and willingness to allow me to teach music to you and your kids!

Here are your reminders for the next two weeks!

Regular lessons end June 11th.

Make sure to sign up for your 2 summer lessons. 

Times are filling up quickly!

Anyone interested in Music Camp July 11th-14th? 

Now is the time to sign up!

Registration is due in two weeks! 

Make sure to let me know if you have any lesson time conflicts for September otherwise when you register you are securing your current lesson time and there are no guarantees that I will be able to change your lesson time later.

Please mark the 2016-2017 Recital Dates into you calendar NOW! Each recital is a unique opportunity to perform and I don't want anyone to miss out!

On the Changes Ahead

As I hope all of you know by now, Steven (my husband) and I are expecting our first child the end of November. Steven and I have been together for 10 years, married for 3 and we are the best of friends. Having this baby is a dream come true for us. We have worked so hard these past 10 years to make a life for ourselves and we could not be happier for this next adventure.

As I announced my plans for maternity leave this past week, I frequently got looks and statements of disbelief that I would only be taking 8 weeks off from work, so I thought I would clarify a few things. As you all know, each pregnancy, each newborn and each families lifestyle is completely different and completely ones own. Therefore, my decision has been based on what I know is right for me and my family. Steven and I have a lot of family support. My husband and family all support the decision I have made and we all believe that it is the best thing for me. My work means everything to me. You all mean so much to me. I feel lucky that my job gives me the flexibility to do the two things that mean the most to me: to work and to be a mom.

In terms of the Calendar of Events, I find comfort in making a plan and then changing things as they need to be changed, but without a rough plan in place, I feel overwhelmed and I can't function. The calendar of events that you all received is the plan and I know that you all will understand if I need to change the plan. This next week I will be making sure I have everyone's updated contact information (and please continue to keep me updated on any changes come September) so that if things change I will be able to contact you all promptly.

I look forward in sharing this journey with all of you! It's going to be quite a year. Thank you so much for all of your continued support and kind words this past week. I will definitely need the support and kindness come September! For now, let's enjoy these last few weeks of lessons and of school and I have a few motivational posts planned to get you ready for summer!

Registration, A Surprise and Happy National Fiddling Day!

Happy National Fiddling Day! Just last year the government designated the third Saturday in May as National Fiddling Day because of the impact the fiddle and this type of music has had on Canadian culture. I wish you all a day of great music and playing as many fiddle tunes as you can! Check out the official ACT HERE!

So by now most of you have received your registration packages and along with it a surprise for the new school year! It has been an exciting week getting to share the news with all of you and I look forward to sharing more details soon.

Here are just a few reminders as we wind down to the end of the school year.

The last week of lessons is June 6th -12th. 

Registration is DUE no later than this week so that I can start putting together the schedule for September.

Summer lesson registration is also due at the same time. Everyone has 2 summer lessons included in their tuition and there are 2 options for signing up for these lesson (you may purchase more lessons if you wish):

1. You can come for regular lessons the next two weeks in June (June 13th-25th) at your regular lesson time (a great option if you are going away in the summer or if the summer is just too busy)
2. You can choose from the summer lesson dates found on the Calendar HERE throughout July and August. Find the sign up sheet in lesson with available times or e-mail me with your requests.

Also, please make sure to review the changes made to the Calendar of Events for 2016-2017.

Over the next week or so I will be checking in with everyone to make sure I have updated contact information and to go over the NEW Group Class & Lesson Policies. Please make sure you review and sign this sheet in your registration package. Have a nice long weekend!

What a Week

Well, this post is a week later then I would normally write it, but my partial week off from teaching turned into prep work planning for the summer and upcoming school year (while finally getting to sit out in some sun!).

Despite the planning, I have been able to relax this week which is sometimes hard for me after big shows or performances, and I've had many in the past few weeks. Being a perfectionist and wanting everything to go a certain way makes for a lot of judgement on myself after a recital in thinking about what I could have done differently, what could have been better or what I should change for next time. It becomes an obsession.

Well, I've been obsession free. Our Year End Recital and the Winter Fiddle Class performance at Masonville Manor all went beautifully, seamless and smooth.

The listening and attention on Sunday May 1st was incredible. The effort and enjoyment that was seen on the faces of 30 violinists all playing together was astounding. Leaders traded places without hesitation and harmony parts were played exceptionally. The advanced students exceeded my expectations and ALL memorized the tricky Concerto A'La Potpourri. Quite a few students found their voice this year in the singing of Wishing. Some students found the confidence to join in on their newest learned pieces and some in Book 1 decided to join in whether they knew the piece or not, but just found joy in playing! 

The fiddle class performed Andy Renwick's Ferrett just like they were the Leahy Family this past Saturday May 7th. Such amazing fast finger work, memorization, coordination and ability to go from playing to dancing and back to playing without missing a beat. You all are rock stars! The creativity and leadership from this class also continues to surprise me. So many students are making artistic decisions and having opinions on how a piece could be played or what could be added to make it more interesting.

I could not be happier or more proud of all of my students and their families. My role and input only goes so far into whether a recital is going to be a success or not. You all have to put in the time to show up and do the work. It has been a dedicated year from showing up to lessons and group classes and to practice. Congratulations to everyone and I hope you have had as much fun learning music this year as I have.

With just a few weeks left until I am on Summer Schedule (the last week of lessons are June 6th-11th), you will all be receiving your registration packages and summer lesson sign-up information within the next week. Stay tuned for an exciting 2016-2017 year!