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!
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016
Celtic Shift in Arva
Celtic Shift - Live in Arva!
Find us playing at St. John's Church in Arva on Saturday May 7th at 7:00. We'll be playing tunes from our recent CD On One Beautiful Day as well as other favourites. See you there!
Monday, April 25, 2016
This Weeks Recital Reminders #2
It's a week before the final recital of the school year.
Here is what you need to know to prepare to Sunday May 1st!
The last MANDATORY Group Class of the year is this Tuesday April 26th. Please make sure you arrive a few minutes early so we can get started smoothly. Also, there is some construction on Fanshawe Road so giving yourself a few extra minutes might be good in case things get backed up on the road.
Make the recital repertoire a priority this week! Think about where you are sitting/standing, what pieces are you playing, what harmony parts are you playing, where you need to move to and if you are leading.
There are NO private lessons next week, unless I speak to you this week about a lesson I need to make up.
Dress code for Sunday is the Amy's Violin School t-shirt & dark bottoms.
You all have done incredible work preparing for this recital and throughout the school year. Congratulations to everyone on a wonderful year of making music. I have seen many of you grow so much this year and many of you persevere through challenges. It's been wonderful taking this journey with all of you. I look forward to performing with all of you once more before I start planning for the 2016/2017 school year. More adventures are on they way!
Here is what you need to know to prepare to Sunday May 1st!
Arrival time on Sunday May 1st is 1:45.
Arrival time for Concerto & Fiddle students is 1:30.
The last MANDATORY Group Class of the year is this Tuesday April 26th. Please make sure you arrive a few minutes early so we can get started smoothly. Also, there is some construction on Fanshawe Road so giving yourself a few extra minutes might be good in case things get backed up on the road.
Make the recital repertoire a priority this week! Think about where you are sitting/standing, what pieces are you playing, what harmony parts are you playing, where you need to move to and if you are leading.
There are NO private lessons next week, unless I speak to you this week about a lesson I need to make up.
Dress code for Sunday is the Amy's Violin School t-shirt & dark bottoms.
You all have done incredible work preparing for this recital and throughout the school year. Congratulations to everyone on a wonderful year of making music. I have seen many of you grow so much this year and many of you persevere through challenges. It's been wonderful taking this journey with all of you. I look forward to performing with all of you once more before I start planning for the 2016/2017 school year. More adventures are on they way!
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
This Weeks Recital Reminders
It is less than two weeks to the May 1st Recital and everyone is sounding really prepared in their lessons. However, this recital is not just about if we are individually prepared but if we can prepare and perform together.
For this reason, today marks the first MANDATORY rehearsal for the recital. Therefore, please make sure you have cleared your schedules for today and next Tuesday as failure to participate along side everyone else will result in NOT performing at the recital regardless of how individually prepared we may be.
100 Charts are Due this week! Finish filling these in over the next few days and bring them in to lesson to decide with teacher how many days you have practiced since January 12th!
Concerto A'La Potpourri Rehearsal on Saturday April 23rd at 3:00 at Nancy's. Rehearsal will be approx. 15 minutes or so.
Make the recital repertoire a priority over the next two weeks. Run through duet parts and ensemble parts and especially your most advanced pieces. Watch the Wishing videos I posted HERE to get the melody into your mind and keep sounding out the Japanese words.
Put on a mini recital this weekend for friends and family where you play the recital repertoire (posted HERE) in order, maybe pretending to be the leader!
Pull out your Amy's Violin School t-shirts and make sure they are clean and ready to be worn next week with dark bottoms.
For this reason, today marks the first MANDATORY rehearsal for the recital. Therefore, please make sure you have cleared your schedules for today and next Tuesday as failure to participate along side everyone else will result in NOT performing at the recital regardless of how individually prepared we may be.
100 Charts are Due this week! Finish filling these in over the next few days and bring them in to lesson to decide with teacher how many days you have practiced since January 12th!
Concerto A'La Potpourri Rehearsal on Saturday April 23rd at 3:00 at Nancy's. Rehearsal will be approx. 15 minutes or so.
Make the recital repertoire a priority over the next two weeks. Run through duet parts and ensemble parts and especially your most advanced pieces. Watch the Wishing videos I posted HERE to get the melody into your mind and keep sounding out the Japanese words.
Put on a mini recital this weekend for friends and family where you play the recital repertoire (posted HERE) in order, maybe pretending to be the leader!
Pull out your Amy's Violin School t-shirts and make sure they are clean and ready to be worn next week with dark bottoms.
Celtic Shift Won the World Music Jack Richardson Award!
Sunday night was a crazy evening at the London Music Hall. I got to perform with Celtic Shift like we were a rock band and then we won the World Music category Jack Richardson London Music Award. Another new and unique experience I feel so grateful to have been a part of.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Wishing - for Spring!
As promised, here are a couple videos of the song Wishing we will be singing at the Year End Recital. Please listen and watch with your kids and have fun sounding out some of the Japanese words.
I look forward to the next three weeks of recital prep! Just a reminder that Group Class on Tuesday April 19th and 26th are mandatory in order to play in the recital so please make sure NOW there are no conflicts.
Enjoy!
(I love watching this video every year. Those boys are too cute and what incredible parental support they have!)
I look forward to the next three weeks of recital prep! Just a reminder that Group Class on Tuesday April 19th and 26th are mandatory in order to play in the recital so please make sure NOW there are no conflicts.
Enjoy!
(I love watching this video every year. Those boys are too cute and what incredible parental support they have!)
Saturday, March 26, 2016
Happy Easter!
Hi Everyone, just checking in to wish you all a Happy Easter Weekend! Enjoy the sunshine and time spent with family and especially the little ones while they are little.
One last reminder that there is NO Group Class on Tuesday March 29th, 2016.
The last 4 group classes run April 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th. The last two are mandatory rehearsal classes so please make sure there are no conflicts in your calendar. See you all for lessons next week!
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