Violin and viola instruction in Brooklyn, NY.
Studio IV is the violin and viola teaching studio of Erin Ellis in Brooklyn, NY.
We had a great time playing at the St. Stan's talent show. I also really enjoyed seeing and hearing some of the violin students sing and dance. What a talented group of kiddos!
We are setting the foundation for a strong string program at the school and I am so thrilled to be a part of it.
Revisiting Book 1 Participants and Trainer. Photo Credit Judy Bossuat-Gallic
I started off 2016 by flying to Dallas, TX by way of Detroit on January 1. I left my Brooklyn apartment at 4 AM, and arrived in Dallas around 10:30 AM, Central Time.
You might be thinking, "This lady is crazy, taking a 6 AM flight on New Year's Day!" Believe me, this crossed my mind, too. However, once I got there I knew there was no better way for me to kick off what I know will be a wonderful, musical year, both in my teaching life and performance life.
An important part of my job as a teacher is to keep learning, keep asking questions, and keep reviewing the way I teach and how it best works for my individual students. By default it makes me a better player, too!
This particular course was a review of Suzuki Book 1 training that I took a few years ago. I am so fortunate in that my studio has grown so much since that time, and I thought I owed it to my kids and to myself to review this very important book and its building blocks in their musical journeys. (Funny, I always learn as much about my own playing in these training as I do about how I want to teach!)
8 teachers gathered with Judy Bossuat-Gallic, a revered pedagogue who studied at length with Shinichi Suzuki himself. She had the most beautiful and applicable stories to tell about her time with him, This class was exceptionally organized, and I learned so much from Judy as well as from the other teacher participants from around the country. People asked such interesting questions and added valuable perspectives to the subjects covered. (And we covered a LOT!) I also met some lovely people with whom I hope to keep contact.
I came home feeling full of excitement and optimism for the year to come, and feeling so grateful for my studio families. I truly love what I do and am so fortunate to have this community of families and colleagues.
What are some of the things YOU are excited about in your musical journeys this year? Let me know in the comments!
I had the best time in LA this week for the Take a A Stand! Symposium. Here's a preview of my next blog post to come shortly!
As you know, listening is a vital component of the Suzuki method. I encourage you to expose your kids to as many performances as possible! I find them to be fun, inspiring, and engaging for children.
For those of us in NYC, there are quite a few places that offer programs specific to children. Here are links to a few resources:
Let me know if you'd like to arrange a group trip!
In music instruction we often talk about balance. Balancing our practice time, balancing our everyday lives, our other interests, even the balance point on our bow. I often wonder if balance is something that can ever be attained, or if the point of balance is to provide ourselves with an outline of what she should strive toward?
I'm thinking about it now, because for the first time in years, I feel like my ideal musical balance is being met. I am so satisfied as a teacher, I'm performing with an orchestra that I love, I play with two chamber groups, and I have enough practice time to feel like I can contribute to all of these facets of my musical life. I'm looking forward to more opportunities to share some of these things with all of you, and will keep you posted on performance dates.
However, though the musical balance is on right now, other things are feeling a bit out of whack. Time management is always such a challenge - keeping my home clean and welcoming, spending time with my friends and family, and continuing to grow the teaching business that I love so much. It's a challenge.
Will it ever be perfect? Probably not. But it's important to take a minute and recognize the good things when they are abundant, and luckily for me, that time is now, at least musically!
Share your thoughts on balance in the comments below!
Wow - I can't even begin to thank everyone who came out to the concert at Caribou Baby this past Sunday! I am so grateful to my friends and their little ones who came, and to the lovely new people I met. It was great fun, and I'm planning to do another one in March 2015. If you'd like to be added to the list, let me know by emailing me. My contact info is here.
It was really exciting for me to have the opportunity to play for (and with) kids ranging in age from 11 months to 5 years. I was joined by three of my current students who did such an amazing job showing their beautiful bowholds, playing Pop! Goes the Weasel, and doing some dancing and clapping. I could not have been more proud, and thankful that they had the opportunity to play in front of a welcoming and supportive group.
We also played with some rhythm instruments, learned about Bach, and danced the minuet. We also learned parts of the violin and bow. We sang The Wheels on the Bus, Old MacDonald, along with some other songs, and in true Suzuki fashion, ended the program with Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
I hope the kids and parents had half as much fun as I did. Teachers - if you're interested in the format, ask questions in the comments below.
I'm hosting an interactive concert for kids at Caribou Baby on September 7th at 4 PM. Space is limited so RSVP by emailing me at erin@studioivstrings.com. Hope you can come!
Hi everyone! I've been slacking in the blogosphere, but I promise I'm back now!
Summer lessons are going well. I'm really excited about starting up group classes in September. Stay tuned for dates and location! Remember that group classes are no extra charge. It's a great place to chat with other parents, and for the students to have fun playing their instruments together.
Some other fun news:
-I'm now helping out with the violas for The Corona Youth Music Project in Corona, Queens. It's great fun and I've met some really wonderful people.
-I've also been playing viola with The Classical Musicians' Rehearsal Symphony Orchestra, and played violin for a reading session with The Brooklyn Symphony. I'm very excited for regular rehearsals to resume in September.
-I'll be playing an interactive concert for kids at Caribou Baby in Greenpoint on Sunday, September 7th at 4 PM. Current students, bring your instruments! No pressure to play, but you are welcome to join me. Invite your friends!
Misc:
-If you need a practice video for something that I haven't already sent, let me know. If I don't already have one, I'll make one for you.
-I broke my foot! It may take me a bit longer than usual to get down the stairs, but I'm coming. I promise!
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and current students and parents, watch your inbox for Fall scheduling announcements.
As violinists and violists, we're lucky that our cases fit in the overhead bins when we fly. Can you imagine having to buy a seat for your instrument? So expensive!
But even more troubling than buying an extra seat? Rolling the dice and checking your instrument.
My 1882 Wasserman violin is probably my most prized possession. It's not the most expensive instrument, but it has a gorgeous sound, and I often feel like it's an extension of me. Am I comfortable having it ride in the belly of the plane? Holding my breath that it will pop out unscathed at baggage claim? I don't think so!
Recently, two violinists on a U.S. Airways flight were told they could not bring their instruments on board, that they would need to check them. As Laurie at Violinist.com points out, it appears that denying them on the flight was against FAA policy. Check out Section 713 of the FAA Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act of 2012. (Emphasis below is mine.)
Requires an air carrier to permit an air passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument on a passenger aircraft without charge if it can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft or under a passenger seat.
Coincidentally, the same thing happened to me on my way back from the SAA conference in Minneapolis. I wasn't prepared for this. I've flown with my instrument countless times and it's never been an issue.
I was told that the flight was full and I'd need to check my violin. I calmly told the gate agent that it was a violin and I would not be checking it. She reiterated that I would need to check it, and handed me a pink tag to check it at the gate.
I thanked her, smiled and proceeded down the jetway with no intention of following instruction. (If you know me personally, you know this was a HUGE deal as I am an extreme rule-follower!) Instead, I simply boarded the plane, found my seat, and put my instrument in the overhead compartment. There was plenty of room, and the person next to me had plenty of space for his things as well. Whew!
But what if they had insisted about checking my violin? This got me thinking about the best ways to prepare for flying with my instrument. Here are a few tips:
1. Print this out and keep it with you.
From now on I'll have Section 713 ready to go.
2. Board early.
Once your stuff is in the bin, it's rare that they ask you to move it. Many airlines offer early boarding for a small fee. The peace of mind is worth the $10! Pay the extra money and get on early. You're far more likely to find a space for your instrument.
3. Make sure your other carry-on is small.
Let's not be greedy! We're trying to ensure that our most prized possessions make it on board with us. Bringing a smaller bag as your other carry-on item can't hurt.
Last but definitely not least...
4. Be nice!
Had I pitched a fit I doubt I'd have been able to get my instrument on board. Inside I was annoyed by the mere suggestion that I needed to check my violin. You want to chuck my priceless, beloved, magical work-of-art-of-an-instrument in the belly of this airplane???? But on the outside I gave a big smile and moved along. I like to think that helped.
* * *
I realize my story could have gone in a very different direction. I'm not sure what I would have done if they had insisted on checking it. Or, what if I was boarding late and there really was no more overhead-bin space? Would I have refused to board? Would the airline refund my ticket if I refused?
I'm going to keep researching as I expect my violin and I will be traveling more and more. I'll update this post as I learn more.
What are your tips for traveling with your instrument? Let me know in the comments!
Statue of Mary Tyler Moore in downtown Minneapolis
I started the day with an 8:30 AM session on teaching vibrato. It was really informative and I'm looking forward to trying out some of the exercises I learned. The room was packed and it was a good last session to attend.
After that I went back to my room and packed. I am so exhausted!
The final conference event was a concert by the students. It was lovely! This was the first time I've heard Suzuki voice students. They all played so well and it made me really excited to get home and work with my students.
I managed to catch an earlier flight and get on home. I had a great time and am looking forward to going back for the next conference in 2016!
As a teacher, I feel it's imperative to practice regularly and keep my skills up in order to set the best example for my students, as well as for my own enjoyment.
This past Monday, I was fortunate to have a lesson via Skype with an instructor I greatly respect and admire. I completed my Unit 2 Suzuki Violin instruction class with her, and will be studying Unit 3 with her in just a few weeks.
It was such an eye-opening experience! We worked together for an hour, mostly on my left hand position, but also on my bow arm. It's truly incredible what just one lesson can do. While I feel I do a good job adjusting my studentss' positions, I hadn't been paying close enough attention to some bad (and painful!) habits I'd let myself get into in my own playing. By the end of that hour, my left elbow no longer hurt, my intonation was better and and my left hand felt relaxed. I have another lesson in a few weeks and can't wait to see what comes from it.
One of the things I love the most about playing an instrument is the fact that one never stops learning. I can go back and play pieces that I learned in high school and now incorporate new technique, new feelings, and new experiences that shape the way I play. It’s a lifelong learning process, and I feel it’s such a gift to have this.
I can’t stress enough how much I’ve enjoyed the Suzuki training I have pursued this year. I didn’t grow up in the Suzuki method, and I believe there are many wonderful and diverse ways to learn how to play an instrument. I’m really inspired by the community aspect of the Suzuki method and the support system I’ve acquired in the past year. I also feel this method has been wonderful for my students.
Through these seminars, not only have I learned how to be a better teacher, but also a better player. It’s wonderful to be in a supportive learning environment with your peers, each of whom are from different backgrounds, and we teach to and learn from each other.
I’m greatly looking forward to my next trip to Dallas in March to study Unit 3.
More on the training in the next post!
A friend of mine posted this article from Lifehacker.com on Facebook a while ago: (http://lifehacker.com/5939374/a-better-way-to-practice)
I’d read it a few months ago myself, but not as closely as I read it this time. It’s a great article for anyone who wants to be better at anything, and in a nutshell, stresses being present and mindful in your practice. Read it if you have time! It’s short and well-written.
I too am a violinist. I saw a lot of my own habits in the article, both the good and the bad, and agree with most of what was said.
I’m currently setting weekly goals for my violin and viola practice. This week I focused on left hand dexterity by using my metronome to play passages faster and more accurately. I found that the more thought and deliberation I put into each passage at their slowest metronome marking, the more accurate my intonation and rhythm were once I got to my goal tempo. In contrast, when practicing the etudes at their slowest markings while daydreaming about what was in my crock pot and trying to remember where I’d put some batteries I recently bought, I made nowhere near the progress I’d made earlier when I was truly focusing.
This coming week I’m going to continue working on my left hand dexterity in my violin and viola practice. However, I’m going to practice nothing but focus when it comes to composition. I hope to have something decent to share next week!
