Group Class This Week & Fiddle Registration

GROUP CLASS starts this Tuesday September 19th! Although my plans for this terms recitals are still in the works, I am so excited to start working on group projects with everyone over the next few weeks. Coming up on Tuesday will be a chance for us all to get reacquainted and to brush up on our review pieces from a possible rusty summer (although many of you had very productive summers!).

Also coming up in a few weeks is the return of the FALL FIDDLE CLASS. Fiddle Class will start after Thanksgiving weekend on Saturday October 14th. Be aware that if you have been to fiddle class before, class will now run from 1:00-2:00 at my place (as opposed to 1:30-2:30).
You may register ONLINE HERE! 

FIDDLE CLASS is a great opportunity for those playing Book 1 Etude and higher to learn more about sight reading and music theory as well as playing a different style of music that involve lots of movement and creativity. The Winter 2017 Class put on a beautiful show at Chartwell Residence and I look forward to going back there in December!

PARKING UPDATE: The driveway has still not been paved but is currently accessible. Will send out an e-mail if the driveway will be unavailable to use again. Thanks for your cooperation!

2017-2018 Lessons Begin!

All major renovations are done and I am so excited for everyone to see the new lesson space! Here are a few reminders as you make your way to the new house this week:

• There is construction currently on Glengarry Ave and driveway parking in temporarily unavailable. There is still parking available on the road but it will be congested in the evenings as school lets out. Once construction is done, you are welcome to park on the driveway and you may pull in behind my Dodge Caravan (except for MONDAY students, DO NOT block the van). Please do not pull in an block any other vehicle. Also try to leave room for a car to pull in on either side of your own car. 

• When you arrive, please come in through the side door located directly off the driveway. You will see a welcome sign so you know you are at the correct door. The entry way is very tiny, so please take your shoes off and carry them downstairs where you will find a shoe and coat rack. The washroom is also located downstairs.

• As always, plan on arriving to lesson a few minutes early so you can find a place to park, enter without rushing and take your time unpacking and getting ready for lesson. This is not only important for the little ones to feel this calm right before learning takes place, but for the parent as well. If we are calm and ready, children are more likely to be as well.

• Been thinking about Graduating? Our October 22nd recital is a great time to graduate a Suzuki Book but NOW is the time to start preparing. If you are interested in graduating, please speak to me this week so we can come up with a plan to be prepared!

• I am currently running a FREE drop in class on Thursday September 14th at 10:30 for my Small Steps Baby & Toddler Music Class. Please come by and check this class out! You can find all registration details HERE.

Registration for Small Steps Music Class Available Online

I'm reaching out to all my Suzuki families and asking for your help once again to spread the word about my Small Steps Music Class for Babies, Toddlers and Parents.

Music is such a powerful way to teach not only children, but babies. Aside from the musical skills a young child can develop from coming to a music class, more importantly is the bond that develops between parent and child and the social, physical, cognitive and emotional experiences that can blossom through class. Plus, it's a great way to get new parents and baby out of the house and doing something educational for the baby/toddler and supportive for the parent.

I am currently running a FREE drop in class on Thursday September 14th at 10:30. Please come by and check out this class. You can find all registration details HERE.

Please tell your friends and any new parents about this class!

As always, thank you so much for your time in reading these posts and for continuing to support Amy's Violin School!

Lessons start back in two weeks and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the basement will be ready to go. If you haven't been to the new house yet for a lesson, I've been temporarily set up on the main floor for teaching, but I am so excited to have the basement available to teach out of come September. Stay tuned for details!

I hope everyone has had an exciting summer and as you wind down and get ready for the new school year to start, I have one last adventure to tell you about - Ontario place is FREE this weekend in Toronto and you can catch me playing with Celtic Shift at 3:00! Click HERE for details.

And just because.... she has just learned how to clap her hands together and desperately wants to walk! We look forward to seeing you all shortly!

The craziness begins...

Summer lessons are starting and here is your fair warning that the house will be A MESS! If  you missed the announcement in the last post, I am MOVING! IN TWO WEEKS! The craziness has started and it's like the walls have exploded. Keep an eye out for details on when lessons are switching over to the new location (probably all summer lessons from July 26th and on will be at the new house).

I quickly wanted to mention some great opportunities to see some music throughout the summer.

Home County Folk Festival is coming up in London this weekend in Victoria Park.

Goderich Celtic Festival brings in amazing groups from around the world every year. Check them out the second weekend in August.

NEW this year is the Greenbridge Celtic Festival hosted by Natalie Macmaster and the Leahy's! Located near Peterbourough, it's more of a drive but a must see group of performers!

Lastly, if you are going to be in the Toronto area Labour Day Weekend, you will find me playing with Celtic Shift at Ontario Place!

Need any violin tune ups or questions about any pieces you are playing at home? Don't hesitate to give me a call or send me an e-mail.

Hope you all are enjoying your summer. See you soon!

Only 2 weeks of lessons left!

There has been a significant decrease in the number of posts over the past few months. That's not to say I haven't been working or lacking in creativity, my energies have just been elsewhere I suppose.

Here is what's been happening:

Changes to Registration and Tuition Payments
FINALLY - a change to post-dated cheques. If you like the post-dated cheque option, this method of payment is still available to you. However, now you can pay online, in lesson and the best option, be automatically charged the tuition fee each month when you choose to save your credit information. I'm excited to see how this goes this year and hopefully it makes things easier and more convenient for everyone.

Fiddle Class

Class this session did a beautiful performance at Chartwell Residence. Our arrangement of Crested Hens was the best it has ever sounded and the concentration and enjoyment I saw from everyone was astounding. This class continues to surprise me in terms of what we are all capable of doing on our violins. Stay tuned for some sound clips on the Fiddle Class page!

Maggie turned 6 months - on June 5th!

Over the past week she has learned to sit independently and came to the realization that she can vocalize - LOUDLY! She has also been eating up a storm the past few weeks from rice cereal and oatmeal to an arrangement of fruits and veggies. Arrowroot cookies are for the moment banned as she has a tantrum once the cookie is all gone...

LASTLY

We are MOVING - to 1526 Glengarry Ave.

This move was not planned, AT ALL, but an opportunity came that we could not pass up. Glengarry is just over by A.B. Lucas Highschool so thankfully location hasn't changed. Keep your eyes open for e-mails throughout the summer as to when lessons will be switching over to this new location and details as to where to go.

As we head into the last two weeks of lessons, I want to thank you all once again for a great year. I hope you all have a safe and happy summer, stay hydrated and cool, and find some opportunities to play the violin and get out to hear some music!

Registration for 2017-2018 Available

It's time to register for the Fall - NEW this year is the ONLINE Registration & Payment Schedules.

Everyone was e-mailed a lesson registration form outlining fees and payment schedules.

Click HERE to register for the Fall & request any changes to lesson times.

Click HERE to access all the dates for the 2017-2018 school year.

Once I receive the ONLINE REGISTRATION, you will be sent an invoice in which you can pay for the Membership fee. You may pay for this fee online (through the invoice), or by cash or cheque.

If you want to take advantage of the NEW Monthly Credit Withdrawals, please click the option on the invoice to save your credit information. That way, you will automatically be charged each month. 

Please let me know if you have any questions through any of these changes. 
Thanks for a great year everyone!