Violin Adventures
Ages 5-14*
These classes are designed as a supplement to regular private lessons. Students who do not have a regular private teacher, but who are interested in the class should contact callen24@gmu.edu for assessment.
Expected Playing Level: Suzuki Books 1-4
Ages: Grades 1 – 8, Ages 5 – 14*
*Students will be grouped by age and playing ability. Older/younger students admitted upon assessment by Strings Coordinator
Jurassic Violins
Session 1
Overview
Violinists will use dinosaur-themed activities to build their musical skills and have a blast doing it! From using different breeds of dinosaurs to create different musical characters to learning an arrangement of the theme from a popular movie we can’t legally use the name of on this website, this imaginative class will connect the Classical world to the Jurassic world. Students will create and participate in their own dinosaur theme park as a final presentation.
Dates: Fridays, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
February 3 – March 24, 2023 (8 classes)
Final In-Class Performance: March 24
Tuition: $250
Location: Mason Community Arts Academy Building in Fairfax, VA
Violinists of the Caribbean
Session 2
Overview
From “walking the plank” as we discuss strategies for approaching the exciting adventure of performance to seeing practicing as intriguing as a search for hidden treasure, this class will inspire the adventurous musical spirit in all our students. Students will also learn pieces from the popular movie/amusement park ride to perform at the Academy spring recitals!
Dates: Fridays, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
April 21 – June 2, 2023 (8 classes)
Recital Performance: Saturday, June 3
Tuition: $250
Location: Mason Community Arts Academy Building in Fairfax, VA
Register for both Violin Adventures classes for a special discount! Families who add both Jurassic Violins and Violinists of the Caribbean to their cart will receive $10 off their registration.
Covid Safety Information
- Mason Community Arts Academy follows all safety protocols required by George Mason University. Visit our COVID Safety Guidelines for more information.
- Mask & PPE Requirements—Masks are optional, but strongly recommended, for students and faculty in all programming. *See University Policy on Face Coverings for full details.
- George Mason Offers Covid Vaccine Appointments
Program Faculty
Claire Allen
Academy Teaching Artist
Languages: English (fluent) | Spanish (functional)
Musical Styles: Western Classical
Specialized Skill Levels: All
Suzuki Method: Available, Books 1-10
Claire Allen is a Teaching Artist of Violin and Strings Coordinator. Since joining the string faculty at MCAA in 2013, she has created and collaborated on the development of the Violin Beginnings curriculum (which is based on the curriculum for beginning violinists taught at Peabody Preparatory), added several supplemental group classes for young violinists to the private lesson program, and has taught a private studio of violinists ages 4 to adult. She frequently creates themed lesson plans and loves creating games for her students.
Claire has completed extensive teacher training including Suzuki-certified training for Suzuki Books 1-3 (with Book 4 in October 2022), Rebecca Henry’s pedagogy course at Peabody Conservatory, and Mimi Zweig’s Violin/Viola Teacher Retreat. She has been interviewed on the Suzuki podcasts, “Beyond the Music Lesson” and “Time to Practice” with Suzuki teacher and violinist Christine Goodner. In 2019, she was selected as the Outstanding String Teacher of the Year by the Virginia chapter of the American String Teachers Association. In 2022, she was a featured presenter at the ASTA National Conference on the topic “Creating A Diverse Repertoire for Elementary Level Violinists.”
Hannah Price
Assistant Director
Academy Teaching Artist
Language: English (fluent), Spanish (conversational)
Musical Styles: Classical
Instruments: Violin
Specialized Skill Levels: All Levels
Adult Students Welcome!
Hannah Price is a passionate and dedicated violin teacher of all ages and abilities. As an artist, scholar, and teacher, her efforts and contributions to music aim to propel the value and quality of music education forward, keeping it central to the core of human value in a quickly evolving world.
An active advocate for community engagement, Ms. Price has been involved in the development of the Musical Storytelling Project in Oberlin, OH, and as a participant in programs that bring music and instruction to Grafton Correctional Institution and hurricane-stricken areas of Puerto Rico.
Throughout her musical career, Ms. Price has regularly performed as a chamber, orchestral, and solo musician in concert programs domestically and internationally. She has performed as an orchestral musician in venues including Carnegie Hall (New York, NY), Severance Hall (Cleveland, OH), and the Meyerson Symphony Center (Dallas, TX). In past Summers, Ms. Price has participated in the Aspen Music Festival and School, Bowdoin International Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, and Litomysl International String Masterclass (Litomysl, Czech Republic), among others.
Ms. Price holds a Master’s degree with a concentration in Music in Education from the New England Conservatory, having studied under the mentorship of Ayano Ninomiya. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory after having begun her studies at Indiana University under the instruction of Sibbi Bernhardsson.
Notes
- Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for fall or spring group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least 1 week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Level 2 builds upon the fundamentals covered in Level 1 in a supportive and encouraging group environment.
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at academy@gmu.edu.
