Category: Music

Ms. Claire Allen has been teaching Violin at the Academy for over 5 years. She established the Academy’s Violin Beginnings group class for young children, where students age 4-7 are introduced to the violin and violin music in a highly accessible, engaging and enjoyable way. Looking back, Ms. Allen reflects on what the class has meant to her and her students.

When I first started teaching Violin Beginnings five years ago, I really had no idea what to expect. It was my first experience teaching students that young (ages 4-7) where the group class was primary, not supplemental, to the learning process. And so, we learned together. It didn’t take me long at all to fall in love with my class. Teaching young students violin from the very beginning is an awe-inspiring experience. Seeing their excitement in learning new things every class, discovering how to make new sounds on their instruments, and finally, being able to play music together is something really special.

 

 

Today, three of the students from that very first Violin Beginnings class have been taking private lessons with me and participating in several other Academy experiences for the last four years! They have taken regular private lessons and played in supplemental group classes, attended Summer Violin Bootcamp, performed as soloists and part of chamber groups, performed in Mason’s Harris Theater in honors recitals, participated in music ministry at their churches, received “Superior” ratings in Solo & Ensemble Festival and successfully auditioned for area youth orchestras. They’re pictured above in 2013, in their first group class, and we recreated the photo just last month at the 2018 session of Violin Bootcamp, pictured below. I’m looking forward to a fantastic year of lessons with them.

 

 

Both the students and their parents attribute their initial interest in violin and their continued success to the strong foundation they received in Violin Beginnings. Ms. Graff, Bailey’s mom, writes “Ms. Claire, you inspired us to keep going.  Your professionalism and excitement over seeing the children make progress helped me to envision a day when songs, not just squeaks, would be played.” She also mentioned that one of her favorite memories from the experience was being in a class with other families and children. “I enjoyed meeting other families who had children interested in music at a young age.”

Jiening, one of those four original class students, reflected that her favorite memory from Violin Beginnings was playing violin with the other kids and listening to them play music too. When asked what advice she would give to new students, she said, “Even if the first days are hard, just keep on going and you will get the hang of it.” [See a recent performance from Jiening below.]

 

 

Currently, our Violin Beginnings team consists of myself, Rachel McAleer, and the newest addition to the team, Drew Robertson. Ms. McAleer and I are so excited to continue working with these special students, and thrilled to welcome Mr. Robertson. Mr. Robertson has extensive Suzuki training and experience working with young children, so we are eager to collaborate with him to make our program even better.

So, if you’re interested in giving your child a strong start in violin, we highly recommend our Violin Beginnings classes. You and your child will receive a structured, engaging, dynamic introduction to the violin, support in establishing a musical home environment for your child’s learning, and strong connections to our arts community – including friendships that can last for years!

 

SEE VIOLIN BEGINNINGS CLASS DETAILS

 

Cello Beginnings is the perfect place for young children ages 4-7 to have a wonderful introduction to the world of classical music and the cello. Teaching Artist Joan Burdette will engage new cellists and their parents in a variety of activities geared specially for their musical development and to nurture their love of the cello in a positive, welcoming, and stimulating environment.

One of the things that makes Cello Beginnings class special is that parents learn alongside their children. “Most parents come to me with the concern that they will not be able to help their child learn to play music because they aren’t musicians,” explained Ms. Burdette. “I believe that a group class is a wonderful way to get an introduction into cello study without the pressure of individual lessons for their young ones. The parents, too, get the basic introduction to the instrument and a glimpse into the commitment of private study so they can determine if it is the right fit for their family.”

For students at this age, movement is an important part of the learning process. “I am a big advocate of movement as a part of any kind of music class,” said Ms. Burdette. “I like to find ways to incorporate movement, such as dancing or stretching, in every class or lesson with my students, especially young children. It helps them to stay involved even when they are first learning and keeps them from getting too antsy in the middle of class.”

 

 

Finally, the experience of learning together can be motivating and inspiring for children as they and their parents form musical friendships and have the support of a peer group from the very first day. “I am excited for the students to have the experience of learning with, and from, each other starting at such a young age,” said Ms. Burdette. “I wish I had had the opportunity to take a group cello class as a child and to get to know other budding musicians.”

Students will need to bring their own cello and accessories, which parents can purchase or rent. The Academy provides helpful Guidelines for that.

Start your journey with the cello and Ms. Burdette by registering and securing your spot in her class today!

 

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Does your child seem to have aspirations to play guitar in a pop/rock band to sold-out crowds, or perhaps simply serenade with more mellow melodies by the campfire? Either way, our Guitar Beginnings class for kids ages 5-8 is a wonderful place to start! Students will learn the basics of music including rhythm and note-reading on an acoustic guitar, along with picking and strumming.

The teacher, Guitar Teaching Artist Tim Carolla, is a Mason School of Music alum who is fluent in many styles from classical to jazz to rock, with experience in teaching them all (including ukulele!).

“Your child is going to gain a good foundation for guitar playing covering many genres and styles,” said Mr. Carolla. “I also make a point of asking my students about their specific interests and try to cover something they are interested in as well and relate it back to a specific technique.”

 

 

Students are required to bring their own size-appropriate acoustic guitar, which can be purchased or rented. The Academy provides some Guidelines to help parents with those decisions.

“I love the performance at the end of the session,” exclaimed Mr. Carolla. “It’s a great way to showcase what the young students have learned over the course of 10 weeks.”

The fall session will begin Monday, September 24th – sign up today!

 

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