My teaching schedule is full, and many of my newer students have been added to my schedule just during the covid-19 crisis. Though we all miss in-person music-making, it’s been wonderful to meet and work with new students across the region who otherwise might not have crossed my path. It’s strange to think I haven’t officially “met” 6 or 7 of my students, considering I “see” them every week! It’s been a pleasure to get to know each new student’s learning style, understand their motivations, and develop a unique rapport with them. Some of them will soon have their first performing experience in our upcoming Zoom recital!
Saying goodbye and good luck!
Two of my students are graduating this year. Jared and Parris are both viola players who have studied with me for many years. Now, they are heading off to start their freshman years of college! Jared and his family joined me in our backyard in early August to say farewell. We played a duo for violin and viola. It was lots of fun and I’m glad that Jared’s dad, Andrew suggested we make a recording of it! Jared will study engineering at Temple University.
UPDATE: I finally uploaded photos of Parris’s final lesson as well, where we sightread a Beethoven duo outside. One of Parris’s awesome gifts was a homemade candle depicting a child playing viola while his dog howls along…eerily similar to many past lessons that feature my “singing” greyhound!
I’m so sad to see both of these students go, but I know they’ll do wonderful things for this world.
(Virtual) Spring Recitals
My Spring Recitals for my school-age students took place on Zoom this month! I recorded accompaniment parts for their solos, and they each recorded a video playing their prepared solo along with the accompaniment part. Then we all got together with family and friends on Zoom, where each student introduced their piece and I shared their video. It was a fun and unique way for students to “perform” during this difficult time!
Fun with new recording apps!
In this new age of teaching remotely, my students and I are exploring all kinds of recording techniques so that they can share with me how their practice is going throughout the week. It’s been a wonderful way for them to make even more progress. Likewise, I am sharing recordings of the corresponding accompaniments to their solos so that they can practice alongside (since we can’t play together in person). I discovered a fun phone app that allows me to layer recorded tracks. I was recording a quick piano accompaniment for a student who is working on this piece, and I was having so much fun that I took a minute to record myself playing all three parts of it (violin, viola and piano). Enjoy the Carmen Intermezzo by Bizet, featuring me, myself, and I. :)
In tribute to Adam Schlesinger
I was a fan of Adam Schlesinger, co-founder of the band Fountains of Wayne, who passed away due to covid-19 on April 1. Brian and I particularly enjoyed this song, “Valley Winter Song,” and recorded it as a tribute.
Interested in learning remotely?
Like so many others, I have moved my work online. It is proving to be a lot of fun and a wonderful way to stay connected with my students during this tumultuous time. Since many students and adults are now at home for the foreseeable future, I am opening up my schedule to new students interested in learning online. Contact me for more information! Below, my student Sophia in her virtual lesson yesterday.
Winter Recital X: A Success
A wonderful time was had by all at my 10th Annual Winter Recitals on January 4! This year I hosted the recital at Fairlington Presbyterian (a new-to-us space as Convergence undergoes repairs after a recent electrical fire incident). It was wonderful for the students to experience performing in a different hall. Some of the selections performed included Introduction and Rondo Cappricioso by Saint-Saens, the first movement of the Stamitz Viola Concerto, and the beautiful Sicilienne by Paradis. Here are a few snapshots of the day!
Recital TOMORROW!
I’m so looking forward to my Winter Recitals tomorrow at Fairlington Presbyterian. It’s such a pleasure to help students set their performance goals, and to assist them in sharing their accomplishments with friends and family. Here’s a short clip from our December music- and merriment-making with student Kaitlyn.
Winter Recital Prep Underway!
I finally finished arranging the last of my students’ recital solo “special requests.” I try to honor their requests for specific pieces they’d like to learn whenever possible. Isn’t one of the joys of music having the ability to play your favorite tunes on your own instrument? I arranged this one for my 10-year-old niece Wendy to play on double bass. Vince Guaraldi’s music is not easy! Wish us luck!
Cherry Blossom String Quartet busy at work
One of the joys of playing for around 70 weddings a year is that I’m able to see and play in some of DC’s most gorgeous spaces. One of my favorites is the Carnegie Institute on 16th and P Street, where we frequently play on the second level of the gorgeously ornate rotunda.
All hail, dear Alma Mater!
So fun to see my student Parris rocking some U. of Mary Washington gear!
West Potomac Spooktacular!
I was so happy to be able to attend my students’ orchestra concert yesterday evening. West Potomac High School hosts an annual Halloween Spooktacular complete with costume contests, face painting, and of course, spooky string music. Four of my high school-age students performed yesterday. Such a fun show with a big Monster Mash finale to wrap it up!
Student Performances
It’s been a wonderful few months with some fantastic student performances. My annual spring recital went beautifully back in June, with performances of the Bach Double Violin Concerto, Danse Macabre by my graduating senior student, Duke, and Viotti’s 22nd Violin Concerto played by Jaelyn. Last weekend, one of my adult students, Peggy, held a recital at her home and invited one of my youngest students, Timmy, to perform. So proud of all these musicians. Now onto preparing for fall auditions and our next recital!
Graduation time!
My student Duke, whom I’ve taught since he was in kindergarten, performed for the South Lakes High School Senior Recital this week. It was a fabulous performance and I’m so proud of him!
The Beanstalk Library live
The Beanstalk Library performed at Gypsy Sally’s this weekend for the Ben Tufts & Friends Tribute to 1969. We covered 5 songs from Neil Young’s album “Everybody Knows this is Nowhere.”
Winter Recital 2019 Highlights
Enjoy a small selection of some of the student performances from my January and February recitals!
Winter Recital 2019 Highlights
Recitals complete!
Students are breathing a sigh of relief and satisfaction now that everyone has performed in my Winter Recitals. Some of the beautiful works performed included Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnol, Mozart’s Concerto No. 3, Bruch’s Romanze for Viola, Faure’s Apres un Reve, and many many more lovely pieces.
Recital preparations…
My Winter Recitals are this weekend, January 12-13 and all the students are putting the final touches on their performance pieces. Here’s a sneak preview of one soloist who will be performing the first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3!
Mendelssohn d minor Piano Trio
Patriots Day Concert at St. Veronica
I had a wonderful time preparing and performing the first movement of Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio in d minor for a benefit concert at St. Veronica’s in Chantilly, Virginia. Donations from the concert benefited Fairfax County Volunteer Firefighters. Here’s the trio in rehearsal. What an amazing piece of music and such a pleasure to perform!
