Stay Healthy, Summer Institute Info, and Fiddle Clarification

Okay, so not how I planned my first week back teaching. My sincere apologies for my sniffles, loss of voice, uncontrollable coughs, etc. I've also been dealing with only being able to hear out of one ear! Not the best way to start out the new year. Regardless of my lack of health at the moment, it has been a wonderful week finding out about everyone's holidays and hearing how well everyone still sounds on their violins regardless of the long break. I look forward to sharing the upcoming months preparing for recitals, starting the fiddle club, awaiting much needed warmer weather, and many other ideas I hope to try out with everyone. Lets take charge of 2014 and work together to make healthier decisions, embrace change, and continue to provide the best education for children.

My big brother and his wife right after their Sikh wedding
in Mexico on January 4th 2014.

Suzuki Association of the Americas - Summer Institutes

Although I never attended these institutes as a child, I do look forward to them every year as a teacher. By the end of the week I feel so motivated to teach. You basically live and breath the Suzuki method and you develop a greater understanding of what Shinichi Suzuki really intended through musical instruction.
The institute in Kitchener Waterloo runs August 10th-15th this year. Click on the link above or go to mysosi.ca for more info on fees and classes.

Fiddle Club Confirmation

Just to clarify the registration form; this class is suitable for those playing Perpetual Motion and up, however the suggested books at the bottom of the form are only suitable for those book 2 and up and are working on sight reading suggested by your teacher.

What's Happening in 2014

I'm heading off to Mexico (Mayan Riviera) from January 1st - 8th and will not be able to communicate with any of you, so here is hopefully everything you need to know for getting back into lessons for January and all other upcoming events.

Next group class is on Monday January 6th.

However, lessons will start back the week of Monday January 13th. 

Fiddle Club:

Starting in February, the long anticipated Fiddle Club will begin. This class will run every other Saturday or so from 1:30-2:30 at my place. Class will run on the following dates:

February 1st

February 15th

March 1st

March 8th

March 22nd

April 12th

April 26th

May 3rd

Students must be playing Perpetual Motion or higher to enroll, however, please speak with your teacher before to see if it is suitable for your child. Check out the registration form here for more details.

Haggis Stew:
Our annual Robbie Burns performance is on Saturday January 25th. Please check your calendars for the following rehearsal dates:

Saturday January 11th 1:00-3:00

Friday January 17th 7:30-9:00

Saturday January 25th Rehearsal at 2:00 with performance around 7:00.

Silent Auction:
Once again, please scour your homes or awaken your inner creativity and donate something to the upcoming Silent Auction! Give away something you do not need anymore and maybe find something you do need or want for a great price at the auction. You'll find a donation box in my studio to drop items off during lessons.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and has a Happy New Year. I will see you all at group on January 13th!

Deck the Halls... with music!

We saw a full range of potential on the weekend, from the young pretwinklers, to trying teenagers and even still to the incredible role models of the parents (performing and not!). Everyone showed they're abilities and love of music on Sunday and it was a joy to watch. 

December will be over and done with before we know it, but while we're here, take advantage of the spirit of the holidays and continue to motivate playing and practice. Here are a few ways to continue to make music an important part of your families lifestyle...

Sing Christmas carols together

Play review pieces or Christmas tunes to family and friends

Play a duet with a friend

Have advent calendars that only get opened on the days that you practice

Share your music with grandma and grandpa and even take your violin to retirement/nursing homes

Teach a friend how to play Jingle Bells

Put an ornament on the tree or a decoration out in the house for every repetition of a practice spot

Make a recording and send it to family members who live far away

Provide background music to a Christmas party

Make Christmas paper chains for every day practiced or every repetition

Play at a talent show or for your class at school

Play for family members or friends over Skype

This is my mom, me on fiddlebox and my older brother Scott on cello.
The months coming up to Christmas consisted of making tape recordings
of us playing our instruments to send to our Grandparents for Christmas.
Not only were these cherished by our Grandparents, but they are a keepsake of
our journey through music. On Christmas Eve, we would all gather in the dining
room and play Christmas songs for each other. It's never to late to start new
'musical' Christmas traditions!

Once again, our Christmas Ceilidh is on Monday December 16th 5-6. I will be asking everyone next week who is available to attend, who has a Christmas treat they can bring, and if anyone has a Christmas tune, Fiddle tune or anything they might like to play or share with the group.

For those who are in the fiddle group Haggis Stew, our annual Robbie Burns performance is on Saturday January 25th in the evening. So mark you calendars and stay tuned for rehearsal dates.

The Countdown Begins...

So time is flying by and we are down to the last few weeks before the holidays. Stay safe as you drive the snowy roads and brave the busy malls. As we prepare for the upcoming holiday season I have a few events to remind everyone about...

#1 - Recital this weekend! 
Everyone playing the Tango must be at the church no later than 1:45. 
Everyone else, please arrive no later then 15 minutes before the recital you signed up for (2:15 OR 3:30). 

Yes, our Christmas tree is up, It has been for a while.
Our cat Cordelia has been loving it a little too much.
Whenever it is you decide to put up your decorations, be
sure to make it a family event. Turn on some good tunes, and
enjoy decorating your home together for the holiday season.
Start some new traditions this year that get the whole
family involved!

#2 - Our Christmas Ceilidh is still on Monday December 16th from 5:00-6:00. 
I will have prizes for everyone's participation and for the winners in the Play Challenge and there will be the chance to play any Christmas and fiddle tunes. 

#3 - Pull out your Christmas tunes! 
Looking for some new ones this year? Bring in your requests to lessons. I have some great duets if you have a family member or friend you'd like to play with!

See everyone on Sunday!

Parent Ed Night Recap

Thank you to the parents who braved the snow to get to Parent Ed night! Your commitment is recognized and appreciated. Even though it was not a nice night for driving, please make every effort to attend these sessions. It's a great opportunity to hear Sharon speak from her first hand experience with Shinichi Suzuki and for all the parents to interact, get ideas and support each other.

We had guest speakers Frances and Ruth who talked about their experiences with the Suzuki method and how it has impacted both of their child's lives who are now adults. Here are just a few points as to what was discussed:

Listening is learning.

Take advantage of the time in the car to really talk. 

Yes, your lives are busy, but one day this busyness will be gone. Take the time now, whenever the opportunity arises, to just talk, not nag about things that need to be done once you get home, but talk. These are the moments you will remember.

Join events in the summer to keep the motivation of playing alive. 

Any musical camp, institute, orchestra, ensemble, anything is a great way to meet new people and keep the desire and motivation to play throughout the summer.

The Suzuki method builds confidence that will support children in any career path they choose.

Set the expectation that daily practice is expected and there will be no questioning this later on.

The parents attitude and awareness is key. 

Enjoy the one hour a week in group class where you get to relax and watch your child just be. Your attention and smile is the security your child needs to grow and succeed.

Parents, you are the model, and your attitude reflects strongly on your child.

If you show interest in only your own child, your child may think that they are the only ones that matter. Enjoy and support the process of watching everyone grow together.

Punctuality, flexibility, work ethic, determination, confidence, responsibility, community, commitment... character first, and ability second. 

Parent Ed, Parking Update, and the chance to de-clutter your life!

Parent Education Night on Monday November 11th at 7:00 at Sharon's House - 958 Crestview Cres. Hope to see you all there! (No group class that night.)

Quick parking update:
I just a received a message from the condo board about cars idling in parking spaces. If you are dropping off/picking up your child from a lesson, please turn your car off while you wait. There is a 2 minute law against cars idling. Thank you for your understanding in all matters concerning parking.

In high school, I considered going
into interior design! I love to clean &
organize, its kind of weird. A clutter free
home is definitely a stress reliever for me.
Start now by choosing one small area of your
home to purge and organize every week. You could
be living differently by the New Year!

So, even though we are a few months away from the Silent Auction at our February Recital, I want you all to start thinking about it now. Take advantage of the opportunity before and after this holiday season to reduce the clutter in your homes and the stress it carries in your life.
Anything you could donate would be greatly appreciated. I will have a bin in lessons for you to start dropping off any items you'd like to donate. We had great success last year with the auction and the kids had a wonderful time bidding on items. At this recital, students play in duets which is a great learning experience different from solo performing! I look forward to another exciting February recital.

Sunday October 27th Recital!

We've made it to the first recital of the year! Congratulations to all the hard work that everyone has put into their performance pieces. Everyone should be proud of how prepared they are. Now all that's left is to have fun!

Please arrive no later then 1:45 for the 2:00 recital or 3:15 for the 3:30 recital.

Thank you for my two student volunteers that are handing out programs, the families who volunteered to bring in juice and the parents helping out during the reception!

Just a reminder that even though on the Calendar handout it says there are no lessons next week, I am teaching regular lessons because I will be taking off the first week back in January.

See everyone on Sunday!