Save the Date: Year- End Showcase - Sat 6/12
Friday, May 14, 2021 | Announcement
I can't believe that we are near the end of the school year! What a year+ it has been. As is our tradition, I would love to celebrate your young violinist's progress by presenting my Year-End Showcase. The Showcase is scheduled for Saturday, June 12 and will again be a virtual event. I have started speaking to your student about 1 or 2 tunes to record as their showcase performance so they should start reviewing and polishing up these tunes. The showcase will be a live-streamed event where I will present each student's recorded videos.
Virtual Year-End Showcase - Saturday, June 12 at 4pm
Video Submissions - Similar to last year, I am asking parents to a DRAFT version of the tunes by Sun 5/30. I would like to take a bit of burden of video recording off your hands and request that students come to the outdoor studio for their to record their FINAL video performance. This way I can accompany/duet with your student. We can do this during their regular lesson time during the last week (June 7-10). Or I will be offering some additional in-person availability on the weekend before the showcase (June 4-6). If you are not quite ready to come to the studio, you are welcome to record both draft and final videos and submit via the Lesson Drop Form.
Studio Challenge - Along with the individual student performances, I will also issue another Studio Challenge where students participate in a common tune that I will piece together in a composited video. This was so much fun to put together last year.
Thank you to all parents for allowing me to work with your budding musician. It's amazing how much they've grown musically despite the limitations. I can't wait to show off the fruits of practice and hard work. Please let me know if you have any questions. I will send more details about the livestream in the coming weeks.
Take care,
BJ
Studio Update - Saturday String Lab 🍀
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 | Update
Hi Fiddle Students and Families!
As we make our way toward the middle of March, I wanted to share a couple events that are happening this weekend in anticipation of St. Patrick's Day next week. As you know I'm quite keen on playing jigs and reels and get excited when students are able to learn some themselves. I encourage students to participate as much as they like.
Studio String Lab: Jigs and Reels - Saturday at 10 am
This coming Saturday, March 13, I will be hosting a String Lab for any and all students and friends online. This will be a virtual jam session. In the spirit of St. Paddy's Day, I will share and some irish-inspired tunes. All levels are invited to join. For beginners, I will teach simple versions of the first few tunes then after they can sit back and listen (or dance along) . Feel free to come and play along or just listen. Aside from the tune leader, we will all be muted.
I've flagged Irish tunes in FiddleQuest that your student might know in their practice page. Tunes can even be learned by ear on the spot as is the tradition in Irish Sessions. But if they'd like to prepare, here is a list of tunes that are likely to be played:
- Red Haired Boy
- Swallowtail Jig
- Bill Malley's Barndance
- Kerfunken Jig
The Return of Whiskey Mary
My interest in irish fiddling started over 15 years ago when my brother-in-law and friends invited me to accompany a couple songs for a St. Patrick's Day party. From that event, I caught the fiddle bug and never looked back. My irish party band, Whiskey Mary is back and will be sharing some of our favorite traditional and contemporary Irish tunes and covers this coming Saturday, March 13 at 2:30pm. The show will be livestreamed on our Facebook Page. Grab a pint and enjoy some of these fun songs.
2020-21 Lesson Times Posted
Thursday, September 3, 2020 | Update
Thank you for re-enrolling for lessons for the 2020-21 Primary Session. If you log into your studio account you will find your student's lesson time slot which begins the week of September 14. Please let me know if the proposed time will not work and I'll try and make further arrangements.
I realize there are lot of things up in the air when it comes to school and schedules as we begin the school year. Feel free to keep me posted about any potential change in your child's schedule. I ask that you provide at least 2 weeks notice if you want to move out of your current lesson times.
As usual, you will be sent reminders 2 days before your lesson. Reminders will also contain the Zoom/Jitsi link you will need to access the lesson. **You can also sync your calendars to your mobile phones. **
If you do not see your student or yourself scheduled, I have not seen that you've submitted an enrollment form. Please visit the following link to this form. Once I've seen you have completed this form, I will put you on the calendar.
I anxiously await your return to lessons!
Best,
BJ
