2012 Suzuki Graduation Concert

This year the Suzuki Graduation Concert was held in the Layton High School auditorium. Every year I am amazed at how we all show up, the chaos of getting everyone tuned and situated is insane, and then the performance starts and amazing talent is displayed. These Suzuki students come together and play their graduation pieces in large groups. At the end of the program each student comes up on stage to receive their certificate of graduation from their teacher. It is a fun and unifying experience. I had 6 of my own students participate and graduate from 5 different levels this year. I'm proud of them and all they have accomplished. Congratulations!!

This year I lead the Gossec Gavotte group.

They did a great job at following my cues!

Twinkles ~ Jamie & Julie (variations)

Level I ~ Emily (Gossec Gavotte)

Level II ~ Macy (Bocherini Minuet)

Level III ~ Emily (Bach Bouree)

Level IV ~ Amanda (Vivaldi A Minor)

2011 Fall Violin Recital

Marlor Music Studio ~ Fall Violin Recital ~ Layton Library

My studio welcomes 2 new students this year: Julie and Jamie

7 Lovely Violins, 7 Lovely Performances

Entire year without missing a single day of practice!

Margaret Simon was our lovely pianist for this recital...Thank-you Margaret for providing our piano accompaniment tonight!!!

Vivaldi Concerto

Fall Violin Recital Rehearsal 2011

I can't believe I have a student playing the Vivaldi Concertos! Amanda has been taking from me for 5 years (slightly longer than I've been a mom). I'm so proud of how hard all my students work and how well they play. Congratulations on all the fantastic performances this evening!

Suzuki Davis Grand Concert

This year's grand concert had a Halloween theme!

Playing everything on the program that they know, the performers got to also dress up in costume. Starting with the most advanced pieces and adding students to the stage with each selection, by the time the beginning twinkles are played, the stage is packed!

Annual Parent Retreat

Monday After Labor Day

We enjoyed sun chips, caramel bugles, and oreos in my cozy basement living room while we discussed the Suzuki philosophy. The main thing that sets the Suzuki approach to learning violin apart from traditional methods is that Dr. Suzuki very strongly believed that talent is something that is learned, not something we simply have or do not have. What I love about my studio families is how all of us have taken to heart that we BELIEVE in our violin students, in their great potential. As they continue to work hard, they grow. It is a beautiful thing for me to witness. Thank-you for entrusting me with the nurturing of your talent development in music!

Annual Student Party

Despite beautiful weather in the morning hours, it turned out to be a windy, cloudy afternoon. But that didn't stop us from having a good time. We played games, enjoyed snacks, and some brave students even ventured outside!

Annual Student Party ~ Monday after Memorial Day

I have a wonderful violin studio! We missed those who couldn't make it.

Winter Term Ends, Summer Term Begins Soon...

I thought that a great way to celebrate the ending of our winter term would be to update our studio blog with all of the wonderful events we were able to enjoy throughout the school year. I'm looking forward to the progress that will be made this summer by my wonderful students!

2011 Spring Recital

Spring Violin Recital

Monday, April 18, 2011 at the Layton Library

Rhody Travels Around the World!

Group Number Finale

100 Days-in-a-Row of practice certificate presented. So impressive. Great job!!!

365 Days-in-a-Row of practice certificate also presented. Wow, what an accomplishment!

My boys are my biggest supporters!!!

We enjoyed refreshments,

to go with our theme,

from around the world.

Video from Spring Violin Recital

Enjoy our rendition of Rhody Travels...

Native Utah, China, Egypt, Tennessee, Utah-Pioneers

Suzuki Convention

This year, the Suzuki Association of Utah decided to do something a little different with their annual convention. Instead of having a separate parent portion of the event, parents and teachers were invited to share the day together, taking classes that would inspire and uplift. I was able to attend a 1/2 day with one of my studio parents and it was, as always, a wonderful experience. As a teacher, there is always room for improvement and much to learn - I'm grateful to be given the opportunity to learn from the most experienced of teachers. I also feel very lucky to have received this beautiful bead counter from a class on practicing tips - I am enjoying the use of it for repetitions completed in my studio back home!

Suzuki Graduation

I lead Bach Bourree at the Suzuki Graduation Concert

Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Clearfield High School

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This year, I had the privilege of my very small studio representing 4 different graduation groups. Congratulations on all of your hard work!!!

Twinkles

Gossec Gavotte

Boccherini Minuet

Bach Bourree

Violin Fixed Up

My violin was sounding pretty terrible; long over-due for Peter Prier & Sons to take a look at it. It needed a bow rehair, sound post adjustment and shim, finger-board planing, new set of strings, a french polish (having the wood clean actually enhances the sound) and cosmetic repair to prevent further, more extensive damage. It was super expensive - just about doubled our family's Christmas budget. But my violin sounds so wonderful now and it was oh, so worth it. What a huge difference a little maintenance can do. A really great way to start out 2011!

My Violin - All Fixed Up!

Christmas Group Lesson

Monday, December 20, 2010

We had a special guest for our Christmas Group Lesson - my sister all the way from Hartford, Connecticut! She played a few selections from her upcoming recital for her Master's Degree at the Hartt School of Music. She also joined in on the group lesson fun and was reminded of all the wonderful foundational techniques the Suzuki Method started her out with; mentioning review, specifically, as one of the most important aspects of her Suzuki training.

2010 Fall Recital

This recital was full of fun non-Suzuki repertoire with lots of duets and small ensembles in addition to the Suzuki solos.





Student artwork displayed.

Pictures with my boys after the performance:

Celebration Concert

This wonderful celebration of the Suzuki method brings thousands of Suzuki students from all around the state of Utah. This concert presented at the Conference Center in SLC, which only happens every 3 years, includes all Suzuki instruments such as violin, viola, cello, piano, harp, guitar, voice, etc. The theme for this concert was "A Joyful Journey." Michael McLean (the violinist/composer from California, not the Utah pianist/composer) wrote the music for the finale. The parts were challenging to learn but rewarding to perform.


This is my group of attending students. It was a fun day and an enjoyable concert.

Studio Parent Meeting

My wonderful group of Suzuki parents!

I thoroughly enjoy this annual parent meeting each fall as we share our triumphs, our frustrations, our thoughts and support eachother in the process of helping children we love learn a difficult instrument.

Summer Student Party

3 days before I delivered my second baby, we had our student party as scheduled (I wasn't too sure if we'd have to reschedule this one!). We enjoyed a barbeque lunch on my deck and played games.

Fun Times!

2010 Spring Recital

This recital was short, but sweet. The weather could not have been more perfect for this annual spring-time occasion. It was a perfect day for a stroll in the park (after the recital, of course).


Lisa Miner, our Piano Accompanist (Thanking her with Chocolates!)


Yummy, Beautifully Presented Food
(Being very pregnant, this hearty snack hit the spot!)

Suzuki Graduation

Congratulations to all of my graduating students! Prior to the concert I helped with tuning and afterward I passed out certificates. Since I didn't lead a piece or have my child with me, I got to sit back and enjoy the performance. Although they play the same music every year (since the graduation levels never change), I still really enjoy the concert very much. I'm always impressed with the level of musicianship these young students attain - impressive!