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OCTOBER Studio News

  Tuesday, October 1, 2024 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

  October tuition                         

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

  1. IN PERSON at your lesson
  2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
  3. ONLINE PAYMENT:  Venmo & Zelle


  October Schedule                        

NO Lessons are scheduled Tuesday Oct 8 or Wednesday, Oct 9.

NO Lessons are scheduled Thursday Oct 31 

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!


  Inclement Weather                        

During seasons when school could be cancelled and storms cause travel to be unsafe, remember that we have many options for moving the lesson to an online format. Of course, this is given that we still have power to run our devices! The missed lesson policy will remain in place if you do not attend a lesson that we have agreed to move to an online format. In the event of a location change, I will contact you via text or email and will update the lesson location in the MMS calendar of events. 


   Group Classes                                   

Group Classes will meet on Friday, October 25th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.   

Group schedule:



4:00*-5:00

Bk 6+/Reading

Norah Askew, Timothy Baker, Elizabeth Baucom

4:20*-5:15

Bk 3-5/Reading

Claire Catalano, Petra Dennis, Campbell Fox, Divya Kancharla, Lillian Moore, Wesley Payne

5:15*-6:00

Bk 2

Luke Fox, Maitri Potukuchi, Connor Raeman,       Sophia Saavedra, Noah Wallace,                    Joseph Wetherell

5:35*-6:15

Bk 1/MMG

Ruthie Catalano, Charlotte Fox, Ava Humes,     Cataleya Kelley, Jackie Kim, Elaine Park,         EllaJane Rouse, EvelynKate Rouse, Selah Wallace

*plan to arrive 10min prior to your assigned group time to unpack and be ready to tune.


  November Solo Recitals             

On Saturday, November 16 we will present our fall solo recitals!  This year, we will have TWO recitals to accommodate the increase in number of students and limit the length of the recitals. To facilitate this change, I will be assigning families to the recitals. However, in some instances you might have a need to attend one of the recital times over the other.  Let Dr. Baker know if your family/student has this need. 

As with the outreach concerts, you can sign up for your recital time preference if there is a conflict with one of the recital times. To sign up via the MMS calendar: Log into your MMS account. Go to the Calendar tab. Click on the November 16 event you wish to perform on and register your student.  

Families are invited to attend the recital they are not assigned to and support all the students in the studio. Join us for the final piece, if you are there!


  Christmas Caroling Outreach         

I know...we haven't even enjoyed the festivities of Oct and Nov yet. Nevertheless, musicians are always planning ahead!!  We will be performing TWO outreach caroling concerts at Spring Arbor again this December.  Students should sign up to participate in ONE of these events.  Due to space, we have to limit the size of each group.

Music will be decided and handed out soon.

SIGN UP via the MMS calendar for one of the TWO caroling outreach concerts. Log into your MMS account. Go to the Calendar tab. Click on the December 21 event you wish to perform on and register your student.  


    Studio Videos                                    

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, I have posted links to the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.

 

   Parent Education                               

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!    This link might help to take you there:https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Student/v3/en/online-resources 

This month I want to highlight an article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education: Developing the WHOLE CHILD through the Study of an Instrument by Jeanne Ludeke.  This is an article that most of you read during their Parent Education sessions with me. (for some that was several years ago!!)  I have recently been reminded of how wonderful her collected ideas are.  Reread (or read) this article for insight on ALL of the benefits of music education and in particular Suzuki-style learning.

Check it out!  If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.


   The Year of Listening                            

On September 9th we began an adventure...to document our listening habits. Start those recordings!  Keep track of those days! We are off!!

This year, to encourage and build healthy habits, we will hold three Listening challenges. Each semester, there will be a 50-day listening challenge and throughout the winter a 100-day challenge.  Students who complete a challenge will be recognized during the recital at the end of each timeframe, with a MASTER LISTENER award being presented to students who achieve the maximum 200-day listening challenge. 

 
   Special Listening                            

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Sayaka Shoji  (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!


Sayaka Shoji

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor: https://youtu.be/R-Ef-YysDe4?si=2mpyMig_M4ok-wBE

Prokofiev Concerto No. 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGlgAZlde3Y&list=RD0Ze45maxD9Q&index=2 

Dvorak, Slavonic Dance No.10: https://youtu.be/hZSgFV6SYPk?si=vok97JSVZSKolnyR

Bach Chaconne from Partita No.2: https://youtu.be/sU9lrF4h52w

Sibelius Water Drops: https://youtu.be/uAlQu4Kk4j0

Paganini La Campanella:  https://youtu.be/YAAKOXR44Q4

Paganini Concerto (performance when she was young): https://youtu.be/9KtmZxaTx20


Born in Tokyo, Shoji moved to Siena, Italy when she was three. She studied at Accademia Musicale Chigiana and Cologne’s Musikhochschule and made her European debut with Lucerne Festival Strings and Rudolf Baumgartner at the Lucerne Festival and then at the Musikverein, Vienna at the age of fourteen.

She won first prize at the Paganini Competition in 1999, and has since performed with leading orchetras of the world. Recent highlights include five concerts for the opening of the 2022/23 season with Israel Philharmonic Orchestra/Shani, an Italian tour with Philharmonia Orchestra/Matias-Rouvali, and a collaboration with dancer/choreographer Saburo Teshigawara performing Bach and Bartok’s solo works at the Philharmonie de Paris. She also had a return to NHK Symphony Orchestra/Noseda, Brussells Philharmonic/Ono, and an extensive recital tour in Japan with Gianluca Cascioli.

https://sayakashoji.com/


    Local Performances                        


*Nov 10, 2:00p - NC Opera presents Ernani by Verdi: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/ernani/

*Jan 31 & Feb 2 - NC Opera presents Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/florencia-en-el-amazonas/

*April 4 & 6 - NC Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro by W.A.Mozart: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/the-marriage-of-figaro/ 


*denotes Dr. Baker is performing

SEPTEMBER Studio News

  Monday, September 2, 2024 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

  September tuition                         

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

  1. IN PERSON at your lesson
  2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
  3. ONLINE PAYMENT:  Venmo & Zelle


  September Schedule                        

NO Lessons are scheduled from Sept 2, 11 & 12.

Our 2024-25 lesson schedule begins on Tues, Sept 3  

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!


   Group Classes                                   

Group Classes will meet on Friday, September 20th.  Location: Saint Francis UMC. 2965 Kildaire Farm Road, 27518, Sanctuary.   


Group schedule:



4:00*-5:00

Bk 6+/Reading

Norah Askew, Timothy Baker, Elizabeth Baucom

4:20*-5:15

Bk 3-5/Reading

Claire Catalano, Petra Dennis, Campbell Fox, Divya Kancharla, Lillian Moore, Wesley Payne

5:15*-6:00

Bk 2

Luke Fox, Maitri Potukuchi, Connor Raeman,       Noah Wallace, Joseph Wetherell

5:35*-6:15

Bk 1/MMG

Ruthie Catalano, Charlotte Fox, Ava Humes,     Cataleya Kelley, Jackie Kim, Elaine Park,         EllaJane Rouse, EvelynKate Rouse, Selah Wallace

  NC Suzuki Half-Day Play-in/Workshop             

SEPTEMBER 14.  Statewide Play-In and Workshop at Meredith College in the Wainwright Music Building. The day will run from 9AM-1PM, and will consist of a repertoire class, a supplemental class, and the play-in concert!


Registration is $35.  Repertoire lists and registration info can be found at https://www.ncsuzuki.org/ upcoming-events



  Youth Orchestra Opportunities          

As many of our studio violinists begin their journey into music reading, I want to recommend joining a local youth orchestra to give them additional opportunities to use and strengthen their music reading knowledge.  Several of our local schools do have orchestra programs and my first recommendation would be to support that program and sign up to participate.  For those students who do not have that opportunity, there are a few local youth programs to consider.

Triangle Philharmonic Association:https://philharmonic-association.org  Auditions have already taken place for the full orchestras.  I would imagine they are still registering for the non audition orchestras that meet at the Cary Art Center.  Be in touch if you are interested in participating this year. 

Holly Strings Youth Orchestra:https://hsyouthorchestra.org/  There are 2 ensembles divided by age for students who have been playing over 1 year.  This ensembles meet on the weekend.

North Carolina Chamber Music Institute:https://nccmi.org/  Provides young musicians in the area with experience playing in small chamber groups (typically 4 players).  Read through their website to learn more about what they offer. Be in touch with me if you are interested in considering this option either now or in the future.  Audition dates are very soon (that said, knowing about this program this year may simply be for you to look forward to auditioning in the future).



    Studio Videos                                    

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, I have posted links to the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.


 

   Parent Education                               

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!    This link might help to take you there: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Teacher/v2/en/online-resources


This month I want to highlight an article in our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education:


"Finding a Balance of Deliberate and Informal Practice" by Rafael Videira, Suzuki viola teacher in the Northwest US, first defines for us the differences between Deliberate and Informal practice and then explains how balancing the two can motivate and energize a young musician. I thought this article was a good one to showcase again as we all kickstart our school year routines.  What elements in this article spark ideas you can include in your practice routine this year?    


Check it out!  If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.



   The Year of Listening                            

Beginning September 9th!! 

Are you ready to listen more? To encourage and build healthy habits, we will hold three Listening challenges over the course of the school year. Each semester, there will be a 50-day listening challenge and throughout the winter a 100-day challenge.  Students who complete a challenge will be recognized during the recital at the end of each timeframe, with a MASTER LISTENER award being presented to students who achieve the maximum 200-day listening challenge. 

 


   Special Listening                            

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is David Garrett  (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!


David Garrett

N. Paganini Caprice No. 24: https://youtu.be/ITzcZia7fsQ?si=dKQzcBxJWUAhTyRT

V. Monti Chardas: https://youtu.be/lHw8Slg4V70?si=2Q8Oo1pgwGjZlbZV

N. Paganini "Carneval di Venezia": https://youtu.be/uoLc1hy3fUQ?si=mZYucgaFut7GKKtS

La Viva Vida: https://youtu.be/bZ_BoOlAXyk?si=VCsXTnmQ13hpxs0G

Tico Tico: https://youtu.be/LQx6nKSHoUo?si=icRW4bdU4yd0qTrq

  

David Garrett, is a German classical and crossover violinist and recording artist.  When Garrett was four years old his father purchased a violin for his older brother. The young Garrett took an interest and soon learned to play. A year later, he took part in a competition and won first prize. By the age of seven, he studied violin at the Lübeck Conservatoire. When he was nine years old he gave his debut at the Festival Kissinger Sommer.  In 1999 he moved to New York to attend the Juilliard School, in 2003 winning the School’s Composition Competition with a fugue composed in the style of Johann Sebastian Bach. At Juilliard he studied under Itzhak Perlman, one of the first people to do so, and graduated in 2004.

Garrett's 2008 album Encore pursues an aim of piquing young people’s interest in classical music. The release contains his own compositions and arrangements of pieces and melodies that have accompanied him in his life so far. Together with his band, consisting of keyboard, guitar and drums, he gives concerts that include classical sonatas (accompanied by a concert grand piano), arrangements, and compositions, as well as rock songs and movie themes.


    Local Performances                        


*Sept 12, 7:30p - NC Opera in the Park, join us to hear some of the greatest hits from the opera repertoire: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/opera-in-the-park/   tickets are available through the NC Art Museum, it is possible that if you are a member there is a discount to the ticket price.  I have not looked into this, though.

*Nov 10, 2:00p - NC Opera presents Ernani by Verdi: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/ernani/

*Jan 31 & Feb 2 - NC Opera presents Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/florencia-en-el-amazonas/

*April 4 & 6 - NC Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro by W.A.Mozart: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/the-marriage-of-figaro/ 


*denotes Dr. Baker is performing

AUGUST Studio News

  Thursday, August 1, 2024 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

   August tuition                              

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

  1. IN PERSON at your lesson
  2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
  3. ONLINE PAYMENT: Zelle, Venmo 


   August Schedule                             

2024 summer lessons conclude on Friday, August 23.  


You can still add summer lessons this month, just be in touch!

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!


   2024-25 Lesson Sign Up             


Sign Up for Sept-May Lessons using this link: https://forms.gle/VB4PDeXCKhmKYqfe6


Deadline for signing up for school year lessons is NEXT FRIDAY, August 9.  The more information you can provide me on this Google Form, the more if helps me arrange everyone into my weekly schedule.  If you have questions, please email or text me.  


   Group Class                                 

Group Classes will take a break for the summer months.  They will resume with the 2024-2025 school year schedule.



    Studio Videos                              

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, there the folders are for the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.


 

   Parent Education                         

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!   This link might help to take you there: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Teacher/v2/en/online-resources


The 2024-25 school year will be the YEAR of LISTENING, in our studio. I am excited to see the results of this studio-wide focus. BUT...you do not have to wait until September to get started. Our log in chart in the studio has already been transformed! Keep a tally of every day that you LISTEN (to Suzuki recordings, to special listening, to supplementary pieces, etc.) and bring in your tally to record.  Let's use these summer months to add listening to the daily rhythm of our lives so we are ready for the studio-wide challenge coming in the fall. 


Several of our online articles explain the importance of and benefits of daily listening to assist in a musical education. Take some time to read over these in the coming weeks:

Playing by Ear by Jeanne Ludeke. This article highlights the fundamentals of why daily listening is important to the process of learning pieces "by ear".

The Role of Listening by Cherie Robertson.  Listening is essence of learning. Read her narrative to understand how she came to this conclusion.

Listening by Gilda Barston. I recently stumbled on this download from one of our well-known Suzuki cello teachers. She has raised several of her own Suzuki-trained musicians as well as impacted the lives of hundreds of cello students.


To access these articles, you can also log into MMS and use the tabs to find our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education


Let me know what you think! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.



   Special Listening                             

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Arabella Steinbacher (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!


Arabella Steinbacher


Steinbacher was born in Munich on November 14, 1981, to a Japanese mother and a German father. When she was three, her mother read that a German violin teacher had recently returned from Japan after studying the Suzuki method. Steinbacher started violin lessons at that time. When she was nine years old, she was enrolled at the Munich College of Music and mentored by Ana Chumachenco.

Arabella Steinbacher has been recording exclusively for PENTATONE since 2009. Among many international and national music prizes and nominations, she has been twice awarded the ECHO Klassik.

As CARE ambassador, Steinbacher is driven to use music as a means to uplift and support those in need. She launched a December 2011 Japan tour in response to the tsunami disaster earlier that year. The DVD release “Arabella Steinbacher – Music of Hope” featured her outreach, and youth recitals from this tour and was released shortly after.

Steinbacher currently plays the Booth Stradivarius (1716) provided by the Nippon Music Foundation.


A. Dvorak, 4 Romantic Pieces, Op 75:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekGzkCFFoxE

R. Vaughn Williams, The Lark Ascending: https://youtu.be/YsWNS5Tp5pI?si=K4xgA0kCvAkxUnLa

J. Massenet, Meditation from 'Thais':  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sgsGWggCe8

W.A.Mozart, Concerto in G Major: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_EGP7pnVI0


    Local Performances                        


*Sept 12, 7:30p - NC Opera in the Park, join us to hear some of the greatest hits from the opera repertoire: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/opera-in-the-park/   tickets are available through the NC Art Museum, it is possible that if you are a member there is a discount to the ticket price.  I have not looked into this, though.

*Nov 10, 2:00p - NC Opera presents Ernani by Verdi: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/ernani/

*Jan 31 & Feb 2 - NC Opera presents Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/florencia-en-el-amazonas/

*April 4 & 6 - NC Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro by W.A.Mozart: https://ncopera.org/2024-2025-season/the-marriage-of-figaro/ 


*denotes Dr. Baker is performing

JULY Studio News

  Tuesday, July 2, 2024 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

   July tuition                              

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

  1. IN PERSON at your lesson
  2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
  3. ONLINE PAYMENT: Zelle, Venmo 


   July Schedule                             

There are no lessons scheduled Thursday, July 4 to Friday, July 12.

2024 summer lessons will continue through July and August.  You may add lessons at any point during the summer, just be in touch!

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!


   2024-25 Lesson Sign Up             


Sign Up for Sept-May Lessons using this link: https://forms.gle/VB4PDeXCKhmKYqfe6


Deadline for signing up for school year lessons is Friday, August 9.  The more information you can provide me on this Google Form, the more if helps me arrange everyone into my weekly schedule.  If you have questions, please email or text me.  


   Group Class                                 

Group Classes will take a break for the summer months.  They will resume with the 2024-2025 school year schedule.


    Studio Videos                              

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, there the folders are for the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.

 

   Parent Education                         

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!   This link might help to take you there: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Teacher/v2/en/online-resources

The 2024-25 school year will be the YEAR of LISTENING, in our studio. I am excited to see the results of this studio-wide focus. BUT...you do not have to wait until September to get started. Our log in chart in the studio has already been transformed! Keep a tally of every day that you LISTEN (to Suzuki recordings, to special listening, to supplementary pieces, etc.) and bring in your tally to record.  Let's use these summer months to add listening to the daily rhythm of our lives so we are ready for the studio-wide challenge coming in the fall. 

Several of our online articles explain the importance of and benefits of daily listening to assist in a musical education. Take some time to read over these in the coming weeks:

Playing by Ear by Jeanne Ludeke. This article highlights the fundamentals of why daily listening is important to the process of learning pieces "by ear".

The Role of Listening by Cherie Robertson.  Listening is essence of learning. Read her narrative to understand how she came to this conclusion.

Listening by Gilda Barston. I recently stumbled on this download from one of our well-known Suzuki cello teachers. She has raised several of her own Suzuki-trained musicians as well as impacted the lives of hundreds of cello students.

There are a few others, which I will highlight in August. So feel free to browse around!

To access these articles, you can also log into MMS and use the tabs to find our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education

Let me know what you think! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.


   Suzuki Summer Institutes                  

Registration for SUZUKI Summer Institutes is underway! Use this link to view all of the options around the country for summer study: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/

What is an Institute?  It is a 5-day family camp.  Each day, students have a Masterclass lesson and 2-3 classes (group repertoire, group technique, chamber music, orchestra, fiddle, etc) depending on the level of the player and their ability to read music.  Want to know more, please ask me!   


Here is the most recent email from the organizers of the NC Institute:


Dear NC teachers and parents,


There are still a few spots left for the North Carolina Suzuki Institute! Sign up today!!


We are so fortunate to have an institute here in our state, and hope you will take advantage of this amazing opportunity. The NCSI is a long established tradition of the Suzuki community in NC, under new leadership this year with Laura Eis as Director!


The Institute takes place July 14-19 (Pre-Twinkle Day Camp, July 13-14) at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.


There are also limited scholarship opportunities through the North Carolina Suzuki Association. Please check our website – ncsuzuki.org, or click here.


We hope to see you in July!


All the best,

The NC Suzuki Association




   Special Listening                             

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Lisa Batiashvili (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!

Lisa Batiashvili  

Lisa Batiashvili (born 1979) is a prominent Georgian violinist. A former New York Philharmonic artist-in-residence, she is acclaimed for her "natural elegance, silky sound and the meticulous grace of her articulation." Batiashvili makes frequent appearances at high-profile international events; she was the violin soloist at the 2018 Nobel Prize concert.

She began learning violin with her father from age four. The family left Georgia in 1991 when she was 12 years old, and settled in Germany. In 1995, aged 16, she placed 2nd at the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition in Helsinki.

She plays a 1739 Guarneri del Gesu violin (Cozio 61377) lent to her from the private collection of an anonymous German collector.

Recordings to listen/watch:

Tchaikovsky/Sibelius concertos, short recording documentary (Deutsche Gramaphone):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeVdP0tK2j8

Bach Concerto in C min (BWV 1060) - music video promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTQag_3G1mI

Prokofiev: Concerto (short recording documentary):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMTJrbbpaUw

Prokofiev: Concerto No.1 in D, (live performance):

I. Andantino - Andante assai: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG0-2kZNcOs

II. Scherzo : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvXE03NQrDM

III. FInale, Moderato: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cvsq1IoAOo


    2024 Local Summer Camps                       


Triangle Youth Music Camps:

Financial aid is available for all programs and anyone is welcome!  See below for dates and additional details:

  • Weekly Summer String Orchestra - Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary, directed by Meaghan Clayton and Myriah Luke. Orchestra begins on June 17th and runs for six weeks, ending on July 22nd with final "in-formance" at 7:30 PM. Cost for six weeks: $100
  • Summer String Camp (half day and full day available) - July 29th - August 2nd at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary, directed by Meaghan Clayton and Myriah Luke. String summer camp will be a little different this year! From 9 AM - 12 PM, string students of any level can participate in traditional orchestra camp. For those who want to stay for the full day, 1 PM - 4 PM is our new enrichment session, where students can select two options each day, including chamber music (for intermediate/advanced students), TYM audition prep, music theory, music history, and/or music composition/ arranging. Please note: the enrichment portion is only available to students who participate in the morning session.  Cost for Half-Day: $300. Cost for Full-Day: $500
  • Jazz Camp (full day only) -July 22 - July 26th, location TBA, All levels accepted, directed by Kobie Watkins and Gregg Gelb. Students will be broken up into smaller groups based on skill level. Musicians will explore jazz style, improvisation, and prep for TYM auditions. Cost for Full-Day: $500

Registration will be open soon! Contact Katherine Denton katherinedenton@ triangleyouthmusic.org with questions.

JUNE studio news

  Sunday, June 16, 2024 by Cortney Baker | Uncategorized

   June tuition                              

is due at your first lesson of the month.  Consult your monthly invoice for the exact amount. 

Ways to pay:

  1. IN PERSON at your lesson
  2. MAIL CHECK:  814 Pineland Dr, Cary, 27511
  3. ONLINE PAYMENT: Zelle


   June Schedule                             

There are no lessons scheduled Monday, June 3 to Friday, June 14.

2024 summer lessons begin on Monday, June 17.

Log in to your MyMusicStaff portal to see your specific lesson dates, times and location.  Also included in your account: the link to access the Zoom webpage, previous lesson notes, the monthly studio news, and much more!


   Group Class                       

Group Classes will take a break for the summer months.  They will resume with the 2024-2025 school year schedule.



    Studio Videos                                   

Reminder: link to our YouTube folders: https://pinelandsuzukistrings.mymusicstaff.com/Video-Links

For now, there the folders are for the Pre-Twinkle videos, Book 1 accompaniment, Daily Do (for Music Mind Games class), and Christmas Carols.

 

   Parent Education                              

I have loaded several articles to the Library & Downloads page in your MMS portal with articles and handouts for parents.  Find a title that interests you and read it!  I highly encourage you to take a moment this month to choose one and read it.  There is so much value in motivation for the Suzuki parent.  Let these articles give you that blessing!!   This link might help to take you there: https://app.mymusicstaff.com/Teacher/v2/en/online-resources

With the days of summer upon us, there may be time to check out a few of these articles.  I want to help you all find motivation for increasing your daily practice time. Every day is our goal!  Summer is the perfect time to turn attention to practicing often, here are a few motivating reasons why...  

Setting Habits for Success by Bianca PradoShe highlights the fundamentals of why daily practice is beneficial and how the encouraging words of Dr. Suzuki set us up for success.

Suzuki Wisdom I learned from my GPS Navigation System by Megan Titensor.  A cute (and memorable) parallel to the messages we receive from our GPS.  How do they relate to the Suzuki journey? Take a peak to find out!   

To access these articles, you can also log into MMS and use the tabs to find our Online Resource's folder>Parent Education

Let me know what you think! If you have time, send me your reaction, thoughts. etc. I would love to know what speaks to you.


   Suzuki Summer Institutes                  

Registration for SUZUKI Summer Institutes is underway! Use this link to view all of the options around the country for summer study: https://suzukiassociation.org/events/institutes/

What is an Institute?  It is a 5-day family camp.  Each day, students have a Masterclass lesson and 2-3 classes (group repertoire, group technique, chamber music, orchestra, fiddle, etc) depending on the level of the player and their ability to read music.  Want to know more, please ask me!   


Here is the most recent email from the organizers of the NC Institute:


Dear NC teachers and parents,


There are still a few spots left for the North Carolina Suzuki Institute! Sign up today!!


We are so fortunate to have an institute here in our state, and hope you will take advantage of this amazing opportunity. The NCSI is a long established tradition of the Suzuki community in NC, under new leadership this year with Laura Eis as Director!


The Institute takes place July 14-19 (Pre-Twinkle Day Camp, July 13-14) at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.


There are also limited scholarship opportunities through the North Carolina Suzuki Association. Please check our website – ncsuzuki.org, or click here.


We hope to see you in July!


All the best,

The NC Suzuki Association




   Special Listening                             

Just a reminder that wonderful videos and audio recordings of professional performers can be seen/heard on YouTube.  Use this as the Special Listening assignment for each week.  This month's famous performer is Rachel Barton Pine (see notes below).   

There are other recordings - enjoy looking around and learning more about this great artist of our time.

Please share these with the kids.

Enjoy!

Rachel Barton  

Rachel Barton Pine (born 1974) is an American violinist. She debuted with the Chicago Symphony at age 10, and was the first American and youngest ever gold medal winner of the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition. The Washington Post wrote that she "displays a power and confidence that puts her in the top echelon."  Her passion for violin compelled her to practice 4 or 5 hours a day as a second grader, prompting her elementary school principal to encourage her parents to begin home schooling, which allowed her to focus on her music, practicing 8 hours a day.

Pine tours worldwide as a soloist with prestigious orchestras, has an active recording career, and has run The Rachel Barton Pine Foundation since 2001 which provides services and funding to promote classical music education and performances.


Kriesler, Recitativo and Scherzo: https://youtu.be/4CAbASpQDbA?si=oNNFlw9VDHXOiKNF

Scottish Fiddle piece: https://youtu.be/5SG5WZ7rHqM?si=IxYQ91EWQKAE_izI

Corky Siegel, Op. 11 (blues): https://youtu.be/GqHqYatGgYE?si=CPR6JW3_OisJ14oi

William Grant Still, Here's One: https://youtu.be/mRkBrKFB0sY?si=9XB3fQ6ZTH7lPu6F


    2024 Local Summer Camps                       


Lamar Stringfield Music Camp:  https://stringfieldmusiccamp.com/home
  • Session 1 Day Camp: June 16-21
  • Session 2 Day Camp: June 23-28


Triangle Youth Music Camps:

Financial aid is available for all programs and anyone is welcome!  See below for dates and additional details:

  • Weekly Summer String Orchestra - Mondays from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary, directed by Meaghan Clayton and Myriah Luke. Orchestra begins on June 17th and runs for six weeks, ending on July 22nd with final "in-formance" at 7:30 PM. Cost for six weeks: $100
  • Summer String Camp (half day and full day available) - July 29th - August 2nd at Peace Presbyterian Church in Cary, directed by Meaghan Clayton and Myriah Luke. String summer camp will be a little different this year! From 9 AM - 12 PM, string students of any level can participate in traditional orchestra camp. For those who want to stay for the full day, 1 PM - 4 PM is our new enrichment session, where students can select two options each day, including chamber music (for intermediate/advanced students), TYM audition prep, music theory, music history, and/or music composition/ arranging. Please note: the enrichment portion is only available to students who participate in the morning session.  Cost for Half-Day: $300. Cost for Full-Day: $500
  • Jazz Camp (full day only) -July 22 - July 26th, location TBA, All levels accepted, directed by Kobie Watkins and Gregg Gelb. Students will be broken up into smaller groups based on skill level. Musicians will explore jazz style, improvisation, and prep for TYM auditions. Cost for Full-Day: $500

Registration will be open soon! Contact Katherine Denton katherinedenton@ triangleyouthmusic.org with questions.