violinist & educator

This is most exciting time of year when everything is starting back up again out of the lazy, relaxing summer.  I was fortunate enough to teach one day a week during the summer to a bunch of dedicated students who wish to keep playing music and learn new skills.  By September, that handful number of students exploded into 30+ students for this semester!  While I’m excited to be touching people’s lives with music and knowledge, my schedule is filled to brim with driving up and down the Massachusetts coast.  Haha, this is surreal!  Let’s hope I don’t burn out too quickly.  Aside from teaching almost everyday, I have to keep up my playing chops and expand my freelancing career in Boston.  I’m definitely being more proactive about taking auditions and hopefully I can make good use of my musician’s union connections and bonuses.

Now back to teaching. For students who do read my blog, I want to encourage you to view a website called Violin Masterclass by Kurt Sassmanshaus, a well-known violin pedagogue in the traditional method.  I especially find great inspiration when watch his videos on basic things like the violin stance, bow hold and tone production, and various technique builder exercises for both hands.  Please take a look when you have the chance and bring some questions in your lessons for discussion.

Only one more day left then I head off to beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii where I coach sectionals for string orchestra and string quartets at the Pacific Music Institute.  This will be my fourth year (!) there, and I have to say it feels like a second home to me.  Unfortunately, many strings players go abroad for summer festivals and what not, so it’s a little disheartening to have so few strings this year.  But we’ll make the best of it and it will be so much fun!  If you are a local reading this and play a stringed instrument, please join us!  PMI, here we come~~