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10/2 Update: Harmony and Coming Together

Monday, October 2, 2023 | Update

harmony: group weeks and events
I love, love, love when my students are in the same room playing music together!!! Group classes are like laboratories where kiddos can experiment by playing the tunes they've learned, improvise a riff they've never played before and see what comes out. Byproducts of these classes can range from giggles to powerful harmonic moments.  Group classes are typically divided into cohorts determined by age and playing level. If your student is unable to join their cohort's class, there should be an all-level class/jam session which students can participate. Please note the group weeks in your studio calendar. Here is the schedule for NEXT WEEK's Group Week:

Both classes this month will be open to all levels.  
  • Tues, Oct 10 - Group Class - 5pm - 5:50pm - Jobs in a Jam: What are the rules and roles when when playing together?

  • Wed, Oct 11 - Studio Jam - 3pm - 4:30pm - This session will overlap the first Discovery Class (Beginning-level) so that they can see how our jam sessions work and perhaps play along. 


Both group classes will be at Lakewood Seward Park Community Club (4916 S. Angeline Street, Seattle, WA 98118)

Group Classes typically happen at one of two locations: Lakewood-Seward Park Community Club (4916 S. Angeline Street) or Jazz Night School (5415 Rainier Avenue South Seattle, WA 98118). Check your reminders or studio updates for selected locations. 

As much fun as it is to share the music among ourselves, it's even more gratifying to share the music with our neighbors. Community performances are just as much learning opportunities as private lessons and group classes.  We have a couple dates on the calendar for both November and December 

  • Friday, November 10 @ 10-11am - FullLife care (Beacon Hill facility)

  • Saturday, December 10 (time and location TBD)


Seattle JazzED - Foundations and Connections

Beyond the studio, many of you may not know that I have been working part-time for Seattle JazzED. JazzED is a non-profit music education organization that strives to increase access in the music room.  My studio and JazzED share common values of social and creative play and I am proud to be teaching with along side a team of amazing teaching artists. This year, I am teaching a couple programs that might be a great supplement to private lessons:

  • Foundations - for beginning students (grades 4-8) . If you're just new to your instrument, this weekly SAturday class is a fun entry point into learning to play in a group using fun games and simple jazz melodies. 

  • Connections - for students w/ 1 year or more experience with their instrument (grades 5-8) where students will learn tunes by ear and explore rhythmic and creative concepts. 

09/24 Update - Two Weeks In

Monday, September 25, 2023 | Update

We're off to a great start of the school year. I really enjoy having students back in the studio and hearing (and seeing) lots of growth and excitement. A reminder, the 1st Group Week will be in a couple weeks: October 9 - 13. I will share more about the schedule and expectations next week.


Violin Discovery Class: For any younger siblings or family friends who have shown interest in learning violin, I am launching a new group class starting in October. It's an longer format version of my Violin Discovery Workshops where we learn basic positions and musical building blocks. This is a great entry-level class for children ages 5-8. Classes will be held on Wednesdays @2:30pm at the Lakewood Seward Park Clubhouse. Feel free to share the website to learn more and register: https://www.bjviolin.com/discovery

Studio Synopsis (part 2): 2nd in a series of this reintroduction of the studio experience and expectations in a more casual and digestible format. 

rhythm: studio communication
There is a rhythm and routine that comes with weekly music lessons especially after the 1st few weeks. An email is helpful when you can predict a change in your schedule. Also, I understand that the unexpected happens (illness, traffic and such). If the unexpected does happen, shoot me a text. We'll work it out. 

I make it a point to communicate on a regular basis through weekly/bi-weekly "Studio Updates" These may provide a recap of a studio event, or a heads-up of upcoming one. Please take a moment to read these making note of any change in schedule particularly during a break or group week. You may have also been invited to my Studio Newsletters. These will serve a more promotional mode of communication announcing any public programming (jams, showcases, and performances) and I ask you remain subscribed as long as you are with the studio. 

Welcome Back to Lessons

Monday, September 11, 2023 | Update

Welcome to the first week of the Primary Session and the first week of lessons. By now you should have a confirmed lesson time and received an invoice for this month's lessons. If you are not enrolled in Auto-Pay, monthly payments are now due and should be paid before the 1st lesson of each month. Let me know if you need help enrolling in auto-pay. 

Lesson Protocol

Please read the Lesson Protocol handout. This handout sets out my expectations for students and parents before during and after each lesson. Please look over and communicate any important information to your student. Let me know if you have any questions. 


Studio Synopsis

Lastly, I wanted to share some text I've been drawing up that will serve both as a reflection and an introduction to the studio for those who will be joining our community in the future. I will be sharing a bit of the "Synopsis" (for lack of a better term) over the next couple weeks.  Enjoy!

Welcome to the studio and the next stop of your child's musical journey. This synopsis is more like an overview  of what the studio experience might look like of and deeper understanding of how I work and teach. Consider it a casual look at my studio policies. 

song title:  studio mission 

“My mission for this studio is to use the violin as a conduit toward building community while developing confident musicians who enjoy playing with others.”

This statement has been my guiding principle since the inception of this studio 10 years ago.  It's an approach I believe that provides engagement and long-term fulfillment playing this instrument. I designed the studio this way as response to how I've come to see music as a way to build self-confidence and connect with others.  Imagine your student in their late teens, 20s or 30s. Pulling out their fiddle with some other musical friends to play some tunes in the park or around a campfire.