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!

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!

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!

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Junior Recital

This year my student Duke prepared and presented a Solo Junior Recital. The repertoire included a movement of unaccompanied Bach, Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso by Saint-Saens, and a piece called "Revolving Factory" which Duke transcribed himself for string quintet. The performance included brief lectures prior to each piece that provided background information on the works. He worked hard to prepare for this and did an excellent job!

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Spring Recitals 2018

Here's a photo of one-half of the students from my Spring Recitals! This year I split the students into two separate shorter recitals. It made for a more intimate performing and listening experience for both groups and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. This picture is of the 3:30 performers. I'm having some technical difficulties locating a picture of the 1:30 group!

 

Playing at the Kennedy Center!

My band, The Beanstalk Library had an amazing opportunity to play on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. The KC offers free daily performances on the Millennium Stage at 6 pm, 365 days a year. We had a great crowd and really enjoyed the show. A few of my students and their families even came out to see us!

Recital Preparations!

It's been such a busy spring I've barely had time to update! I've been working on unveiling my new logo and website and spending countless hours preparing students for all kinds of auditions and performances. Yesterday I headed out to South Lakes High School to help my student Duke prepare for his Junior Recital, happening next Saturday. He transcribed (by ear!) a piece and arranged it for string quintet. Here they are after a productive rehearsal. Unfortunately I only captured 3 of them with their eyes open...

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Winter Recital 2018

On January 21, I hosted my 7th Annual Winter Recital. It was my largest recital ever, with 35 students performing. I had a packed audience of around 130 people. It was great fun, and all the students came away from the recital with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction! Some of my more advanced students performed movements from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. For the accompaniment of these movements, I had them play the chamber orchestra parts in a string quartet arrangement so they each had a chance to accompany and be accompanied.

Spring Recital 2017!

A couple of weeks ago, I proudly presented 25 of my students for the Spring Recital. They did a wonderful job with some challenging pieces including the Hoffmeister Viola Concerto, Praeludium and Allegro by Fritz Kreisler, the Bach Double Violin Concerto, and some fun tunes like the Star Wars Main Theme and "Spring" from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. It is such a joy to work with these kids and help them prepare for a fun and exciting performance. 

Purchasing an instrument

For my younger (still-growing) students, I typically recommend that parents rent the fractional size instruments, as most music shops offer an option to trade in the instrument for a larger one as the child grows. Alexandria Music Company offers a great rental program. (Full disclosure: I teach there.) Once a student is ready for a full-size violin, the best option is to purchase a nice-sounding fiddle rather than rent. In the DC area, we are fortunate to have several wonderful shops with great sounding instruments at reasonable prices. Brobst Violin Shop, Foxes Music, Lashof Violins, and Potter Violin Company, and Day Violins all offer an excellent selection.  Trying and buying a violin, viola or cello is something that must be done in person and not over the internet. The player needs to experience the sound and feel of each instrument, because they all feel different! Visit one of these locally owned shops if you are in the market for a rental or purchase!