Category: Music

This summer, the newly created Viola Bootcamp, July 13-17, is bringing a fun and intensive week of learning to intermediate and advanced violists, ages 10-18, who are looking to celebrate the unique qualities of their instruments while building a healthy technical foundation and improve their overall skills.

 

 

Academy Teaching Artist for Viola, Dr. Patrick LeStrange, will lead the camp along with a line of high-profile musicians including Helen Fall, member of the Alexandria and Fairfax symphonies; Philippe Chao, assistant principal violist with the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra; and Caitlin Renner, Academy teaching artist, avid collaborator, and music educator at area preschools.

“I am thrilled to have Helen Fall joining the camp as an instructor,” said Dr. LeStrange. “Helen is a wonderful viola technician, and I know all participants will leave the camp having made tremendous progress. Philippe Chao, professor of viola at George Mason University, will be joining us for masterclass and provide a tremendous amount of advice on technical improvement.”

 

 

During the bootcamp, students will immerse in intensive classes designed to improve their technical skills and their awareness of their own playing.  Each day, students will have private lessons and supervised daily practice with instructors to work on their personal goals, whether to conquer a difficult piece or orchestra except, correct a technical issue, or battle their nerves in performance.

Group classes and workshops will focus on fundamentals, scales, and posture, and Professor Chao will provide practical tips and tools to improve students’ performance in the masterclass.

 

 

Another unique component of the program is the daily viola ensemble session, which students can explore a versatile genre of viola music, from classical to fiddle, with Ms. Renner. Students will enjoy playing a viola-only ensemble, which will give them an opportunity to apply their newly honed technique in a musical setting.

Dr. LeStrange hopes the camp can provide a space for fellow violists to socialize and share their joy and passion for both music and life. Students will embrace personal growth, along with exploring music and building friendships.

 

 

“I hope that all students leave Viola Bootcamp not only with a better sense of how to play their instrument,” said Dr. LeStrange. “But with an appreciation of the viola and the unique family we are all in together!”

The bootcamp will divide students into groups based on their ages and playing levels. An audition is required for entering the program to ensure proper placement. Students can submit their audition videos via YouTube by June 29. To register the camp or learn more about the audition information, please visit: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/summer/music-camps/viola-bootcamp

 

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

We are excited to welcome Carol Feather Martin, who has joined us as a Piano Teaching Artist. Ms. Martin has an extensive teaching background spanning more than four decades, both as a private music instructor and a director of instrumental ensembles. She welcomes students of every age and level, from complete beginners to serious advanced students. We are excited to have Ms. Martin joining our music faculty—read our Q & A with her below to learn more about her!

 

What excites you the most about joining the Mason Community Arts Academy?

I was quite excited when I learned about MCAA and the fact that it is part of a prestigious university. The breadth of the programs offered by the Academy is quite a valuable resource for the community. The Academy’s program is a way to keep the arts in the spotlight and to supplement the programs which have been seriously reduced or deleted from the public schools. Quality arts education and literacy are vital to the complete health of every society. I am truly excited to be part of this growing program and organization.

 

How did you first fall in love with music?

I fell in love with music the day I was born. My parents are both musicians, and I was always part of any music activity in my home. I learned to read music at age three and a half. Even from a young age, I never wanted to be anything else other than a musician. My parents provided me with the best education possible and supported all my decisions while never pushing or demanding.

 

Tell us about a teaching experience you have had that was especially memorable.

In one facet of my career, I directed children’s choirs, and there was a little boy with Down Syndrome who came to the rehearsal. I eagerly welcomed the family to join the circle of young singers. When we played singing games, all of the children assisted me by taking turns leading the boy through the motions until he was able to do them on his own. When the children took turns leading rhythmic patterns for group clapping, the boy readily volunteered to lead with great enthusiasm. His personality was infectious and kept the choir on its toes.

His love and enthusiasm were totally obvious. After the choir season ended, the boy’s parents told me that his verbal skills had completely exploded and that he was now speaking more eloquently to everyone. Both his parents and teachers attribute his breakthrough to the year of singing and his love of music. The real lucky one in this experience, however, was me. He and I had a special bond, and the reward that I got from seeing him blossom was unparalleled.

 

What are some unique things you do when you teach?

My lessons are infused with laughter, historical information about the music, and curiosity about the interests of my students other than piano lessons. I work to give students a toolkit for learning music so they can continue to enjoy musical activities throughout their lives with or without formal lessons.

 

Do you have any pets?

Pets have always been a part of my life. Currently, I have three rescued cats – one of whom is almost 17 years old. I also have been the mom to a series of rescued Great Pyrenees dogs.

 

What else would you like us to know about you?

While a student at Oberlin, I had an opportunity to learn the basics of metalsmithing in a jewelry course. After many years, I began taking classes again about five years ago. I have recently started my own business to make some of my unique pieces of wearable metal art available to the public.

In my musical life, I am also a conductor for instrumental, choral, and handbells ensembles. I love planning thematic programs that are educational for the audience as well as inclusive with other arts and media.

 

Schedule Your Private Lesson with Ms. Martin Today!

Mason Community Arts Academy Violin Teaching Artist Claire Allen was named the 2019 Outstanding String Teacher Award by the Virginia Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (VASTA).

“I’m honored to receive this recognition from my colleagues,” said Allen. “As a new teacher, I was welcomed into the teaching community with fantastic teachers who have offered practical advice and tremendous empathy over the last several years. I am thankful to be considered in their company and humbled to receive this award from them.”

An Arlington native, Allen is an active performing violinist and teacher in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area teaching private lessons and group classes. Allen joined the Mason Community Arts Academy, the community arts division of George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, and has expanded the strings program to provide the students with various types of classes, camps, and performance opportunities.

 

 

“The Academy is thrilled that Claire decided to join our faculty in 2013,” said Elizabeth Curtis, Executive Director of Mason Community Arts Academy. “Our students have all benefited from her hard work and dedication, and she is so worthy of this recognition. Under her incredible leadership and guidance, we have an excellent comprehensive strings program that serves our students and families with distinction.”

Under Allen’s instruction and support, her students have participated in regional and national performances and competitions such as the American Protégé Competition, the Boulanger Initiative Launch Festival, District XII Senior Honor Orchestra, and Academy’s Music Competition. Several of her students have been placed in the American Youth Debut Orchestra, the American Youth String Ensemble, or top orchestras at their middle and high schools. Other student success, including achieving superior ratings at Solo & Ensemble festivals and the American String Teacher Association Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP).

 

 

“I am so excited for Claire to win this award!” said Jennifer Gibson, whose daughter, Lindsey, has been taking private violin lessons with Allen since 2014. “Claire puts 110 percent of herself into her teaching, so it’s nice to see her get some recognition outside the studio.”

Allen’s teaching focuses on building a healthy technical foundation and inspiring a vision of each student’s musical future. She aims to create an environment of support from peers for her students, where they can learn from one another.

Heidi Graff, a student parent, described Allen and her lesson as “clever and effective,” and a teacher who looks for innovative ways to teach skills. “Claire is an exceptional professional who cares deeply about her students,” said Graff.

“Claire has high standards and is always looking for new ways to engage the kids as they grow older,” said Gibson. “She builds not only great violinists, but also a strong community within her studio and group classes. Both are done intentionally and with great care for each student. She is a great role model for my daughter.”

 

 

“I want to provide spaces where my students can share their love and joy in music, commiserate over the frustrations, and just have fun with other people who understand what being a violinist is like,” said Allen. “Watching my students grow up together like a big extended family is one of my favorite parts of my job. They invite each other to birthday parties, coordinate their summer camp schedules, and greet each other warmly in the hallway between lessons.”

Allen received her Master of Music degree from Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and Bachelor of Music degree from Baldwin-Wallace College, Conservatory of Music. She credited her education and her former teachers—Estelle Roth, Gene Pohl, Lisa Cridge, Julian Ross, Burton Kaplan, and Keng-Yuen Tseng—for inspiring her roles as a teacher and a violinist.

 

 

“I am particularly thankful for my current teacher, Rebecca Henry,” said Allen. “Her pedagogy class at Peabody showed me that private teaching was the career I wanted to pursue, and her mentorship after graduation continues to shape my teaching today.”

Beyond teaching, Allen is a professional violinist, and her recent activities include orchestral performances with the Tysons-McLean Orchestra, chamber music performances with Academy colleagues, adjudicating at ASTACAP, presenting and performing at the Boulanger Initiative Launch Festival, and attending the Starling-Delay Symposium at The Julliard School.

Written By: Seon Gyu Park, Voice Teaching Artist

 

Our winter recital is less than two months away from now. I want to share some practical tips on how to prepare well for a recital. I have many experiences performing operas and concerts in New York, the Washington D.C. area, Korea, and many other places. I once had stage fright, but as experiences piled up, I was able to overcome it slowly. I definitely understand how you feel anxiety and nerves before a performance. I hope this article helps our Academy students to perform confidently and shine on the stage.

1. One Month Before the Recital
Work hard on memorizing music. This month should focus on remembering the music, the notes, and rhythm. You should know all the musical terms and dynamics in your sheet music. If you are a singer, you should know the meaning of the lyrics not only the words. After studying your music thoroughly, you need to memorize it as fast as you can so that you will have much time to polish it. Plus, this will give you more confidence on the stage.

 

 

2. One Week Before the Recital
Image Training—After memorizing your music well, now you need to do some image training. Find a quiet room and time and imagine that you are wearing a beautiful outfit and walk to the stage. Your audience welcomes you with big smiles and warm applause. Now, you are playing your music from beginning to end. You perform perfectly, and you bow to your passionate audience. One of the benefits of image training is that you can play your music over and over until you don’t make any mistakes. Do it repeatedly until you feel confident.

 

 

3. The Day of the Recital
Start your warm-up at least four hours before your performance. Even though you believe that you already woke up, your mind and body don’t wake up totally. Your body needs time to be warmed up. If your concert starts at 11 a.m., I encourage you to wake up at 7 a.m., take a warm shower, and have a good and healthy meal.

Have a meal at least two hours before the recital.Please don’t have a big meal right before the recital. Digestion will slow your mind down, and you don’t want to burp during the performance. Eat at least two hours before your performance. If you get hungry again, have a light snack, and stay energized.

Be hydrated with room temperature water. Hot water or hot coffee will dry your throat, and milk products make mucus. Soda drinks are not good neither. You know why; It makes you burp 😉

Have a rehearsal about one hour before the recital. Use this time to check the sound and memorization one final time.

 

4. Enjoy your performance!
Don’t worry about anything and enjoy your music. You need to believe that all the people in the audience are your supporters and cannot wait to listen to your music. You are the star! Rock it!

 

 

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About Ms. Seon Gyu Park

Ms. Park is a full-lyric soprano and voice teaching artist at the Academy. She is an active opera singer appearing in numerous opera productions including the title role of Massenet’s opera “Cendrillon (Cinderella)” with Amato Opera and a soloist in the Praise Celebration of Milal at Carnegie Hall. Ms. Park is recognized in regional and national competitions such as the National Association of Teachers of Singing Virginia State and Mid-Atlantic Regional Voice competitions and the Classical Singer National Voice Competition. Ms. Park has almost 20 years of teaching experience at public school music programs and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in vocal performance at George Mason University.