I have actual magical powers

I single handedly manned 22 students in this evenings hour long master class. They did such a wonderful job! The hour before, I had 14 students ages 3-5 perform in the Young Masters Class. It's been a busy week! Happy Leap Day!

Master Class Week

It's the end of winter quarter, which means it's master class week! A master class is different than a recital because it is for students only. I am able to critique them without an entire audience watching, just fellow students. This allows them to start over; to try a few times; and to become more comfortable performing in front of others.

Notes so far this week:

*Make sure to introduce your name and pieces in a loud, clear, slow voice.

*When you take a bow, look at your feet for at least 2 seconds. Think "left sock, right sock" and stand up.

*Never "tsk" or make noises when you make a mistake. Always keep going and make it work.

*Put your hands on your lap after each piece and take your foot off the pedal before you turn the page for your next song.

*Always be a quiet, supportive audience. Silence any noisy audience members. Never distract the performer.

Everyone is sounding wonderful. My students are supporting and observing all ages, levels, and instruments this week!

Free Pop Sheet Music

I discovered yet another amazing free pop sheet music website. At first, an advertisement will pop up, but just wait one second and then click "Skip this ad" to browse the site longer. Click HERE to check out sheet music!

Our town's newest Quintet

It has been a great goal of mine to get my students playing with fellow students. My high school rock band Dress Code Violation was a great first attempt and experience. But I also wanted my string students to experience the joys of playing in an ensemble. Unlike my musical upbringing in Washington, students in Hawaii don't have the same kind of access to school bands and orchestras. And a majority of my students here are home schooled. One of my students approached me and said she longed to play in an ensemble. It then dawned on me that I have 5 string/piano students all about the same age and level who would be GREAT together in a Quintet. They are also such amazing and sweet girls! I will work with them individually during private lessons and then have Quintet rehearsal the first Friday of each month. I almost cried at yesterdays very first rehearsal. The sound quality of my iphone simply cannot accurately capture what they sounded like in my music room.

The future album cover (I told them to pose like serious musicians)
The Fabulous Five. I told the girls their first assignment was to come up with a Quintet name, so next rehearsal we should have an official Quintet Ensemble name!

If I were a cartoon.....

This is what I would look like.

I wish I had opened the Christmas present my student gave me in front of her so she could have seen my response. Alex was there to see it. Best present ever! A framed cartoon picture she drew of me from the October Recital. I love how Moki is drawn in with his bandana. He is so much a part of my teaching day. He runs into the room after pushing the door open to announce that a new student is here; he jumps up when the lesson is over and leads them to the door; he greets the next student while leading them to the bench. If I'm doing dishes and a student arrives early, he runs up to me with big wide eyes and whines to let me know someone is early. He has been with me since I started teaching lessons full time in 2002. The year I was able to afford making payments for my first car and the year I was able to afford adopting a new puppy, all in the same week actually! Ruby on the other hand is terrified of students and spends most of the day hiding from or dodging them!

Happy 256th Birthday Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart January 27 1756-December 5 1791. Click HERE to read more about his short but prolific life.

Fun facts:

WHAT A LONG NAME! Mozart's full name was Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophillus Amadeus Gottlieb Sigismundus Mozart.

Mozart could write music notes before he could write words. (Interestingly enough, my 2-5 year olds can READ music before they can read books too!)

Mozart was a knight.

He composed 50 symphonies, 25 piano concertos, 12 violin concertos, 27 concert arias, 26 string quartets, 103 minuets (I love it when I teach a student a new minuet and they say "I've already played the minuet". I always say "Kid, there are hundreds!" ), 15 masses, and 21 operas.

Free Classical Music Sheet Music

This one is for you mom! Click HERE to explore a wonderful website full of free classical music.

When I was in Winter Park for Alex's family reunion I brought my violin (a nice and portable instrument) but didn't think to bring any piano music (after all, why would there be a piano up at 9000 foot elevation?) But I did have my ipad with me. I went to this website and found some Beethoven sonata's I'd been working on and voilee! I had music. I left my left hand linger a few extra beats on a chord while I slyly scrolled the screen down to view more music. Some people walking by noticed and I said "This is exactly how Beethoven meant it to be played!"