Frozen Vivaldi

Upcoming Reminders:

Next Fiddle Club is on Saturday March 1st at 1:30

Next Group Class is on Monday March 17th at 5:00

No lessons from March 10th - 16th as it is March Break!

I will be performing with Celtic Shift at the Church of the Epiphany on Saturday March 15th at 7:00 p.m. 

Tickets are $10 at the door. 

Enjoy an evening of Celtic music with special guest performers on percussion, Erhu and Celtic singing.

So, you probably weren't sure where I was going with this post from the title "Frozen Vivaldi". Well, Steve and I went to see Frozen the other day (we both like Kristen Bell and are anticipating the upcoming Veronica Mars movie that was made through Kickstarter). After hearing the Let It Go song for weeks, we finally understood the context and thought it was a great Disney movie, comparable to the classics. Then, I came across this video of a Piano and Cello player performing Let it Go mixed in with Vivaldi's Winter. Enjoy!

Many more posts on the way so stay tuned. If you haven't already, check out the fiddle tab for this weeks featured video!

Happy Family Day!

I hope everyone has had a nice Family Day. I had a nice lunch out to see family and watch some Olympics and now am home spending some time with Steven and the cat! 

Although I have never been interested in sports or the Olympics, I was reminded recently of the incredible performance that Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz did in 1998 inspired by Riverdance. If you haven't seen it, take a look below. Great Irish music and step dancing on ice to go along with it! For those in the fiddle club starting to learn step dance, just imagine having to then dance on skates! Enjoy!

Check out the Fiddle tab above next to the Calendar tab. Even if you are not in the Fiddle Club this session, it is a great page to view weekly featured videos of some of Canada's best fiddle players, as well as tunes you may one day be playing once you join fiddle club or are ready to start playing some in lesson! Just as listening to our Suzuki Cd's prepares us for what we must play on our violins, listening to fiddle music works the same way. The more you listen, the better you'll be able to play! Happy Fiddling!

Snow, snow, go away!

Spring cannot get here soon enough, and I normally enjoy winters. I think my lack of posts are partly a result of my aggravation in the past month and a half worth of sickness and bitterly cold days. But after a night of performing at a simple Valentines dinner and seeing the sun out today, I'm feeling motivated and back to normal, finally! Let's brave the next few weeks of winter and hope that Spring gets here soon.

Congrats on a successful recital! I have once again been convinced by this recital in the importance of performing in duets and small ensembles. There is a different level of joy that is seen on all the performers faces and is heard from their playing. I think it is a great reminder that it doesn't matter your age, it doesn't matter how long you have been playing or what piece you are working on; music brings us all together, makes us equals, and brings some temporary peace and joy to the world. These are the moments we must cherish and remember.

I am blown away by the contributions all the families made from the Silent Auction donations and the bidding. I feel so privileged to have the support of so many wonderful and committed families.

Just some reminders:

No group class this Monday as it is Family Day.

Year End recital is on Sunday May 4th at 3:00. Please mark it in your calendars today!

Next Fiddle Class is Saturday March 1st at 1:30.

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!