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.

Studio Update - 9/26

Monday, September 26, 2022 | Update

Happy Fall to all!

The sunshine is still a regular visitor during lessons but the turn toward cooler temps and our more familiar form of Seattle sunshine seem imminent. I may start welcoming students into back into the indoor studio shortly. As promised, I'm excited to announce the schedule for the first Group Week of the school year! We have a several in-person group options and a Zoom session that will review some of our songs from our Core Tunes list. Please look at your previous "Lesson Time" email to recall your student's group cohort.

As our Group Weeks are a bit fewer and further between I want to encourage families to do their best to have students participate in one or more of these session. Particularly if there are guest teaching artists joining. I'm also connecting with cellist, Tracy Hagen and her studio to invite them to jam with us. So these will be great events to gather and play along with new friends! No need to pre-register for any of these sessions. Save the dates!

Group Week Schedule

Core Tune Zoom - Monday, October 10, 5:30pm - 6:30pm

We'll go over as many tunes from the core tune list as we can during the hour. For all levels. I will host a Teaching Circle at the end for those looking for any feedback with their current tunes.

Venue: Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/72023036851?pwd=amxkS3ZTZXZWYTVpS002a2thTUJjdz09

Early Risers Group Class - Tuesday, October 11 at 3:45-4:30pm

Venue: Lakewood Seward Park Comm Club, 4916 S Angeline St, Seattle, WA 98118, USA

Jump Starters and Jamsters - Tuesday, October 11 at 4:30-6:00pm

Guest Teaching Artist: The Rhapsody Project

I am excited to be welcoming teaching artists from The Rhapsody Project for one of our group classes. With roots in teaching middle school string programs, this community explores and celebrates music and heritage through an anti-racist lens. Artists Joe Seamons, Jed Crisologo along with fellow Songsters join our Jamsters and Jump Starters to explore musical heritage of American music by sharing tunes and teaching about historical and cultural connections of songs and styles.

Venue: Lakewood Seward Park Comm Club, 4916 S Angeline St, Seattle, WA 98118, USA

Open Jam - Wednesday, October 12 4:30-6:00

For those unable to make the Tuesday group classes or if you want to come back to play and learn tunes, I will be returning to LSP Clubhouse to host an open jam. We'll start by playing from our Core Jam Tunes. We'll also do a Teaching Circle for those who want to share their current tune they are working on for constructive feedback.

Venue: Lakewood Seward Park Clubhouse, 4916 S Angeline St, Seattle, WA 98118, USA

I am happy to announce the renewal of my Discovery Workshop Series for children. Many of my current students were introduced to the violin during these workshops. I would love to introduce the violin to more children and families and grow our studio. If you know of any families who may be interested, feel free to share the following. I will be sharing more on my social media channels over the coming weeks!

Violin Discovery Workshop Series

When: 3 Saturdays in November (11/5, 12 and 19)
Time: 11:00 am-12 noon
Venue: Lakewood Seward Park Community Club