violinist & educator

This week I will be part of a team to pilot a new string program at the Atrium School in Watertown, MA. More specifically, I will be working with Randy and our mentors/colleagues, Larry and Beatrice along with their little daughter Miranda, to promote and develop Music Plus Music Integration (M+MI) into the curriculum for second and third graders by teaching them literacy in all areas through playing the violin. We presented our mission and ideas to an intimate group of parents last night, and all seems well and swell.  They are highly supportive of us and of the notion that their children are going to be making music very soon.  We are all so excited–I’ve never really done this in my life. Even though I’ve started plenty of beginners, both old and young, the fact that there will be a GROUP of them in one place at the same time will be challenging.  There are so many things to think about: discipline and silence methods, organization, making lesson plans and goals, time management, other logistical things, making a newsblog, etc.  Good thing we will have lots of help from the classroom teachers which means the teacher to student ratio is 1:2 for each group. In terms of acquiring instruments, we are working with Johnson Strings in Newton.  They are the best at what they do and the most reliable, and I think they are excited about working with us too.

Please check back for updates on this new teaching project as there will be photos and videos to come!

Well, after two crazy months of heavy practicing and studying for auditions, I’m ready to play other stuff. I took my first orchestral audition last month, and I have to say that I’m glad that I did it because it was a good learning experience. Hopefully this summer, I can arrange to study with someone on a consistent basis, so I can realize my goals more confidently.

May is just around the corner, but the weather has been strange. Tonight was very chilly, and I’m sure my fiddle (and my bones) are not feeling it. I will be devoting the next two months to intensive teaching as I will have a semi-student recital in the beginning of June at BSM. Time to crack that whip!

Besides the Gordon College concert this weekend, the number of gigs are slowing down. I guess this is what happens as the school year winds down, kids go off on vacations, and travel plans are made. WAITIKI, on the other hand, has plenty of performances coming up – check the website – and hopefully we’ll see you at one of them.