Amy's Violin School T-Shirts!

I'm starting to prepare for the Year-End Recital this week and am asking all of you to do the same. Check out yesterday's post HERE for all the repertoire we will be playing May 1st.

The dress code for this recital is your Amy's Violin School t-shirt. If you already have a t-shirt, NOW is the time to make sure it still fits. 

If you are new to the studio or if you need a new size, you can purchase them in lesson over the next few weeks. T-shirts are $15 each. 

The dress code for the May 1st recital is the AVS t-shirt and dark bottoms. We will be taking a group photo at this recital and it looks great seeing everyone united in their t-shirts!

Shirts are tagless, soft and moisture-wicking, great to wear as we enter some of this amazing Spring weather!

Year End Recital Repertoire

Our YEAR END RECITAL on Sunday May 1st is right around the corner. Here is your advanced notice on the pieces we will be starting to prepare for in group class after your relaxing March Break and Easter Weekend! Start reviewing NOW!

Advanced

Concerto A'La Potpourri

Book 3

Humouresque

Book 2

Minuet in G

Waltz

Hunter's Chorus

Chorus (Ensemble)

Book 1

Minuet 3

Etude

Allegretto

Allegro

Go Tell Aunt Rhody (Ensemble)

Song of the Wind

Run Flicka Run Flicka

Twinkle Theme

Wishing

We Made it to Day 50!

Yesterday was Day 50 of the 100 Day Practice Challenge.

Yesterday was also the second Parent Ed Event for the 2015/2016 School Year.

I can't believe how time is flying and I cannot believe how fortunate I am to work with such incredible parents and students. Before I left group class, I sat and read the comments from parents on how they have seen the Suzuki method impact their child's life. The feedback was incredible! You are all pros on the Suzuki method and your commitment to your children and joy in watching them learn is amazing.

The Parents as Partners Program runs until the end of June. You may still sign up if you'd like and I will also post ideas for interesting videos I've watched to share with all of you.

As we continue educating ourselves in the areas of our lives we want to improve, we are not only being incredible models for children but are enriching our lives and those around us.

Even though I am writing this feeling so inspired by all of your kind words and positive feedback from yesterdays event, the SNOW WILL NOT STOP and my mood is falling with it. This can be the toughest time of year to get through, especially if you depend on getting outside as a way to keep your sanity. If you are feeling the same as I do and are looking for a bit of adventure, check out the MEC Race Series. I'll be out in the snow, rain or shine next Saturday March 12th at 9:00 am at Springbank for a 10km run. Other races available include 5km and 15km. Cost is only $15! Do something good for yourself whether your feel like it or not and if you sign up and commit with a friend, you'll be even more motivated to participate (even if it snows!).

Parent Ed Event: Tuesday March 1st

Parents As Partners program is in full swing.

I am staying a bit more committed this year to watching my weekly videos and there have been some interesting ones so far. Out of the ones I have watched, I really enjoyed and recommend the following:

• A Measure of Progress
• Recipe for Citizenship: Key Ingredients for Teaching Children to be Good Citizens
• Nurtured by WHAT?! When you are Not Feeling the Love During Practicing
• Playing by Ear... Unlocking the Mystery
• Three Important Words

I hope to see all PARENTS at the Parent Ed Event this Tuesday March 1st. Whether you are a new or experienced Suzuki parent, are responsible for practicing with children as young as three or encouraging their teenager to practice, or maybe you are an adult student trying to stay motivated. This event is for you! See you all next week!

Small Steps Class: Suzuki Early Childhood Music Education

Shinichi Suzuki dedicated his life to educating children through music. But he also spoke very strongly about not only the importance of educating the whole child, but educating the BABY.

Ability Development from Age ZERO. 

He believed even still that not only should music education start 9 months before the birth of the baby, but 9 months before the birth of the mother. What stemmed from this belief in the Suzuki world is the Suzuki Early Childhood Education program designed for Parents, Babies and Toddlers.

NOW, ideas such as prenatal listening and early childhood education programs are everywhere. But Suzuki programs offer something unique to parents and babies and that is a philosophy rooted in the understanding that Every Child Can Learn, Ability Develops Early and Environment Nurtures Growth.

Suzuki programs use a set curriculum. There is only ONE CD to purchase at the time of registration which allows for thorough mastery of the pieces and the greater chance for a multitude of skills to be acquired. We know that children learn a lot from one another, from those of the same age and especially of those older and younger then themselves. As Suzuki educators, we also recognize that ability from birth happens in small steps and that this ability will flourish when the child is ready through parental involvement and constant encouragement.

I am reaching out to all of you to ask that you not forget about the babies. Maybe you know of a new family or a baby on the way. Tell them about this class. It is a wonderful support system for new parents, not to mention an incredible way for young babies to learn to self-regulate and find calm in listening to music. CALM to new parents is an incredible gift!

REMEMBER, this class is not just about teaching babies and toddlers about music. Musical ability is secondary to the skills being learned. This class uses music to teach fundamental life skills that all children will need to enter preschool, elementary school, instrumental music lessons, and essentially life.

Don't know of anyone to refer to the class? That's okay! But please help me spread the word and LIKE my page on Facebook HERE!

Congratulations Performers!

I had a great time at our Valentine's Recital! Special thank you to our accompanists who put in a lot of time to learn all our pieces and to the two volunteers who helped out at the raffle table. All your work is greatly appreciated.

All of the performances were wonderfully prepared with dynamics, accuracy, intonation, tone and a joy of playing. Congratulations!

Thank you for all of your continued support in Amy's Violin School. A little bit of fundraising and coming together as a community can really do a lot to provide opportunities, experiences and motivation. And that is really what this fund is for, to benefit all of you, and I just love that we can do it in the way that celebrates the friendships and acquaintances that we all have made through this musical community.

You will receive your candy grams in lesson this week!

Two Reminders:

The next Group Class is Tuesday February 23rd

Fiddle Registration is due this Saturday February 13th

February 7th Recital: Valentine's Fundraising!

Candy Grams are HERE!

Send a treat to a friend in group class! 

$1 each or 6/$5.

Candy grams will be available to purchase in lesson this week, at group class on Tuesday February 2nd (also our mandatory rehearsal) as well as at 1:30 on Recital Day, February 7th, and at the short intermission.

Also available to win at the recital:

Tuition to any Fall, Winter or Summer Fiddle Class
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TWO Practicing Essentials Baskets

 A 'Count How Many' Contest



Pick up your 2016 Fundraising Report in Lesson!

On another note, thank you to my students and family who came out to support Celtic Shift yesterday! It was a blast seeing you all in the audience!