RCMA Blog

Busy & wonderful time of the year!

2011-12-21T14:54:00.000-08:00

There is so much going on with music and other performances this time of year. Be sure to take advantage of some of those opportunities for your kids. This is a great time to give them practice with the skills involved in sitting quiet and still during a performance because so many of the local professional ensembles have kid-focused offerings; they're expecting the audience to be "in training".

Our own students have been playing up a storm, giving three program recitals and playing one honors prelude at the symphony.

Thanks to all our teachers, students and their families!

Here is a beautiful group of young ladies warming up for our program at Mittleman Jewish Community Center. I love that the two on the left were our "Early Twinkler" group and they wore the same lovely dress without even planning it! What are the odds? I also love that this photo captures the relaxed & encouraging nature of our fabulous faculty member Elizabeth Doty. The student in front of her played one of her best ever performances just a little while after this picture was taken.

Fantastic advice on Practicing from a master!

2011-12-13T13:21:00.000-08:00

Youtube can be your musical friend!

2011-12-09T14:16:00.000-08:00

I have often suggested to parents that they look on youtube for good videos of people playing repertoire their children are trying to learn. It's a great inspiration for music students, especially when you can find a child of a similar age playing with good habits. As always, and particularly on Youtube, be sure to supervise and pre-watch anything you show your kids.

Here are a few things my boys (ages 3 and 5) have really loved watching:
The Cello Wars

Infinitus "Anthem" This is a beatboxing string trio fronted by John "Adidam" Littlejohn, a friend of mine from Peabody who runs a not-for profit music academy that serves underprivileged kids.

So don't forget Youtube and other video posting sites as a great resource for practicing inspiration.

Happy musicmaking!

Recital week is here!

2011-12-05T11:08:00.000-08:00

Our recital week is here!
Please come hear some excellent music making by students of guitar, piano, violin, cello and voice. All recitals are free and open to all ages.
*****
Wednesday, December 7th at 6pm at Portland Adventist Elementary School's library. 3990 NW 1st St Gresham, OR 97030

Thursday, December 8th at 6pm at our Sylvan Location: Portland First Church of the Nazarene, 6100 SW Raab Rd., Portland, OR 97221

Saturday, December 10th at 11am at Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219

Our 2011-2012 School Year Announcement!

2011-08-14T09:07:00.001-07:00

Here's the text of our announcement email for this year's RCMA offerings. Valdine & Miriam have been working hard behind the scenes to create some new classes and a new location for our students and their community.

If you'd like to be added to our email list, just let us know: rosecitymusicacademy@gmail.com

Musically Yours,
Valdine, Miriam and the RCMA Faculty

New announcements:
Mittleman Jewish Community Center is our newest location!
New monthly weekend masterclasses added to our group class offerings!
New Group Voice Lesson Program for singers aged 6-12

Location schedule and Group Class schedule

Tuition details and deadlines

Important 2011-12 dates.

New to RCMA!!!

RCMA is proud to announce a NEW LOCATION!
Lessons will now be offered at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center near Multnomah Village!
Spots are available:
Violin on Tuesdays- private or shared lessons, Beginner Buds.
Voice on Tuesdays- group lessons for students aged 6-12 (30 minute and 60 minute classes now forming), private lessons for students aged 12 and up.
Piano on Tuesdays- private lessons
Guitar on Wednesdays- private or shared lessons, Beginner Buds

New Group Class option:
Monthly Weekend Masterclasses in all instruments! This is a great opportunity for students to perform a polished piece for a teacher (other than their own) while other students and parents observe. The teacher will work for approximately 10-15 minutes with the student on an aspect of their performance or instrumental technique. Exact weekend times and dates TBD based on interest, held at the Mittleman Community Center.

New Group Voice Lesson Program!
Our amazing voice teacher Angela Reiswig is expanding her voice program with RCMA! Students aged 6-12* now have the opportunity to work in small groups (4-6 students, grouped by age) for 30 minutes or 60 minutes a week. Young vocalists will explore their voices while develop a musical ear and growing their confidence in performing, building the foundation for more rigorous training when their voices mature. 10 week course of 30 minute lessons for $150 (ages 6-7) or 10 week course of hour sessions for $275 (ages 8-12)**.

*Students aged 12 and up may sign up for private or shared lessons.
**All voice programs include monthly masterclasses.

Locations for Lessons and Groups

Lessons: (* indicates Beginner Buds class available)
Violin Lessons: Tuesdays at FAIS* and MJCC*, Wednesdays at Catlin Gabel School*, Thursdays at Sylvan church*.
Cello Lessons: Tuesdays at FAIS (TBD)*, Wednesdays at Catlin Gabel School, Thursdays at Sylvan church.
Piano lessons: Tuesdays at MJCC, Thursdays at Sylvan church.
Guitar lessons: Tuesdays at PAES, Wednesdays at MJCC*, Thursdays at Sylvan church*.
Voice lessons: Tuesdays at MJCC*, Thursdays at Cedar Hills.

Group Class Option List for private & shared lessons students:
Violin Pre-Twinklers/Twinklers (non-Beginner Buds): Thursdays 4:00-4:30, Sylvan 301.
Violin Book 1-3, Suzuki Repertoire Play-in*: Thursdays 4:00-5:00 PM, Sylvan 201.
Cello Pre-Twinklers/age 3-4: Tuesdays 5:00-5:45 PM, Lake Oswego studio.
Cello Book 1 and up, Suzuki Repertoire Play-in*: Thursdays 6:15-7:15 PM, Sylvan 306.
Guitar Groupies: Thursdays 4:00-4:30 PM, Sylvan 305.
String Orchestra: Wednesdays 3:45-4:30 PM, Catlin Gabel School Choir Room.
Voice Group Lessons: Thursdays 4:00-5:00 PM & 6:00-7:00 PM Cedar Hills (217 and 26W); Tuesdays 4:00-5:00 PM at MJCC
Weekend Monthly Masterclasses: schedule TBA, based on sign-up and teacher availability.
*Attend portion of class relevant to your lesson review material. Class is about fine-tuning basic skills, reviewing polished pieces, and observing more advanced students. Come as early as you like, stay as late as you like!

2011-12 Tuition Details:

Private lessons (includes weekly lessons, weekly group classes or monthly masterclasses, and recitals)
Term payments on credit card will be assessed a 2% service fee. Monthly plan includes service charge.
~30 minute lessons: $525 per term, or $140 monthly installment plan (credit card only).
~45 minute lessons: $750 per term, or $200 monthly installment plan
~60 minute lessons: $1000 per term, or $270 monthy installment plan

Shared lessons (includes weekly lessons 2:1, weekly group classes or monthly masterclasses, and recitals)
~30 minute lessons: $300 per term
~45 minute lessons: $450 per term

Special Classes:
Beginner Buds: $125 per term
Voice Group Lessons: $150 (30 minute classes)/ $275 (hour classes)

RCMA CALENDAR 2011-2012

July 1: $100 Deposit Due
Sept 1: 1st term tuition due, deposit frozen.
Sept 6: Late fee applied
Sept 6: Term 1 lessons begin
Sept 26: Group classes & Beg. Buds begin
Nov. 22~27: Thanksgiving, no lessons.
Dec 1: 2nd trimester payment due
Dec. 12~16: Teacher make-up week. End 1st trimester lessons & groups.
Dec 8: Sylvan Recital, 6:30 PM
Dec 10/11: Lewis & Clark Recital, TBA
Jan 3: 2nd term lessons & groups begin
Jan 16: MLK Jr. Day, no lessons
Feb 20: President’s Day, no lessons
March 19~23: Teacher make-up week
March 22: Sylvan Recital, 6:30 PM
March: other recitals TBA
March 26~30: Spring Break, no lessons
April 1: 2nd trimester tuition due
April 13: 2nd trimester ends
April 16: 3rd trimester begins
May 28: Memorial Day, no lessons
June 7: Sylvan Recital, 6:30 PM
June 9/10: Lewis & Clark Recital TBA
June 11: summer lessons begin*
*Regular lesson schedule until June 15th. Flex scheduling of five summer lessons with teacher from June 11~Sept 3, 2011.

James Ehnes' violin

2011-04-19T11:27:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking lately about better ways to teach kids how to care for their instruments, something I have begun to see as a gap in my method. Lately I've noticed many of my students need reminders about not swinging the bow or violin around, poking the tip of the bow into their foot, the ground, the stand, etc. It's a problem, especially because I know that when they are free from the lesson room and the harping of the teacher they will revert to their own whims and habits. As the parent of two preschool boys, I know well that I have to both discipline the behavior and approach the heart of the child in order to aim at changing their motivation.

It's my job to help them want to change. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'll admit I'm particularly sensitive about the bow tip as I just spent $500 getting the ivory on mine replaced after it had what looked like an everyday crack to me. It also scared me a bit that it had gotten bad enough to need more than a quick fix because I know how crucial the mechanism of the tip is to the proper function of my lovely bow. I should have taken care of it much more quickly when I saw the first sliver of a crack. Lesson learned.

Yung Chin,
bow whisperer & pernambuco conservator

In last night's Oregon Symphony program I particularly enjoyed this part of the interview with violinist James Ehnes about the privilege of playing his instrument:

You've played your Stradivarius for 11 years. Describe the relationship you have with something that is your constant travel companion and, I would assume, your most precious item.

One of the more interesting things about violins is that they're works of art that help create works of art. It's as if you had a Rembrandt that could paint a Rembrandt. It's a very unusual thing. I feel fortunate that the people I was around from a very young age instilled in me feelings about these instruments. I mean, my first violin was probably worth $150. But that just seemed like an unbelievable amount of money to me. It was more money than I could process. And then as I got a violin that was worth $500 or $1000, and these figures.. I think they put me in this reverential respect for instruments so that as the stakes got higher, I'm not sure my attitude towards the instrument changed.
I remember one of my old violins dated from the early 1800s. It was just a three-quarter violin, but I could tell that this instrument had been through a lot of hands. When my dad bought it for me, he explained to me that the only reason I have this is because generations of other lucky young people loved it and took care of it and made sure that I would be able to have it someday. And certainly when you get to an instrument like a Strad, you're just upping the ante there. Because it would be really a tragedy if something happens to one of these violins. The only reason that there are any left at all is because people appreciated them enough to take care of them.

(emphasis added)

So there's my task as a teacher. I want to instill in our students a respect for their instruments that encompasses not only the instrument as a tool of expression, but also the art involved in creating them and the longevity of the creative lives of stringed instruments. This thinking can be presented to students in a way that includes respect for their bodies & brains as creative tools as well, tools which need time to learn, many repetitions to remember, and good maintenance to perform at the top of their potential for their young owner/operators.

This soup of responsibility & reward is one of my favorite things about kids learning music. I love the many opportunities this discipline gives them to explore and demonstrate these truths themselves, and even enjoy the steep challenge inherent in getting to those rewards.

Here's a video from youtube with audio of Mr. Ehnes speaking about the Stradivarius "Sassoon" violin and playing Kreisler in a deliciously beautiful way. Keep it playing, and around 3:20 you're rewarded with video of him playing. Note to my students: You may keep your violin thumb that high when you are as tall & free of tension as this accomplished dude. That is all, enjoy!

Our February Newsletter

2011-02-17T13:56:00.000-08:00

You can find our February 2011 Newsletter by clicking here!

Some highlights:

Recital week March 13th-17th

Spring Break March 21-25th

Tuition for the April-September term due April 1- no foolin'!

Camp dates this year are Monday-Friday July 11-15th at Catlin Gabel School.

Sprunger Workshop!

2010-12-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

Sprunger 2010

Newsletter November 2010

2010-12-16T15:00:00.000-08:00

Newsletter November 2010

Musicians are funny.

2010-10-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

I went down to Salem last night to catch the Hilary Hahn concert. There are .6 degrees of separation (rather than the customary 6) between any two people in the musical world. For me and Hilha, as I like to call her, well, we're practically like that. (I'm crossing my fingers... there's probably an emoticon for that.)

I have played in various orchestras accompanying her as a soloist, and for a while in Baltimore I taught a schizophrenic who was a little obsessed with her. He was annoyed when I said I thought I'd like to hear her Bach when she was in her sixties rather than however young she was when she recorded them. I think she was a toddler of some sort at the time.

Not only have I played in her general vicinity and known people who REALLY love her, my friend was also in town for the Oregon Symphony violin auditions and she once took Hilha white water rafting. So, like I said, we're like that.

She played Tchaikovsky and I was truly impressed. Her bow seemed to be an amplifier for her lovely violin (a Vuillaume?) and she was able to do unreal things with a few inches of that sucker. I love to see things like that, to enjoy it all the more fully for knowing that it's no easy feat. Musically, she made some things so new in the concerto- some spots where she slowed in such a way that there was a sparkling classiness in the play between solo and orchestra. I would love to hear that for days. Lovely, nuanced, silky. I'm really glad we went, it was so much FUN even for a jaded old thing like myself.

So when I got home, I decided I'd check out the website posted in her bio and I found this:
http://www.hilaryhahn.com/favorites/fav_02.shtml

She also has a YouTube channel I'll be showing the boys, and a Twitter feed from the perspective of her violin case. A true music geek, and you have to love that.

Peer Pressure Wins Again...

2010-08-11T22:38:00.000-07:00

This has been a fascinating summer, musically, for me with my boys. There were lots of rehearsals and fantastic chamber music performed within their earshot. Several kids concerts were a big hit, as were some laid back church events involving both a playground and my viola & violin. I thought for sure these were perfect scenarios to pique the interest of Toby, age 4. His brother Isaac is still just 2, so I figured he was still more of a sponge than anything.

I should have known better. Isaac has taken the proactive role practically from birth, and it turns out that music is no different. The first time he grabbed my hand to march me upstairs declaring, "Go to work, Mama. Play the vi-lin now," I thought he meant he wanted to hear the theme from Bob the Builder for the zillionth time. Nope. He would not leave the studio without "playing" himself.

Fantastic as that was, what really has me smiling is that Toby had followed us upstairs and directed me to, "Do the Mr. Violin voice." That boy is now the proud owner of a foot chart, and knows how to use it. He can find his ear with the end button and holds the bow on his bow hook with the instrument in rest position. This is nothing short of miraculous to me; Toby is a young 4 year old boy. He has messed around with the violin a few times but he's easily frustrated if he thinks he's made any mistakes so he generally prefers other things so far, and I'm cool with that.

I know it was seeing Isaac have a "lesson" that got Toby going, and I have no qualms about continuing to use that. Isaac gets a mini-lesson (it turns into drawing with colored pencils in less than 60 seconds on most days), and that puts Toby in the mood for his own session. Many of my students have paired up over the years to have joint recitals, mentoring relationships, practice partners and plain old violin buddies. I remember my own years in school orchestra, youth symphony and all the festivals along the way. There really is nothing like the camaraderie of peers to inspire, goad and energize an interest in music.

Let's use it!

Here's a video of Toby with the foam violin we started out playing. It helped me avoid getting tense and saying, "No!" or "Wait, careful with that!" in these early lessons. He didn't seem to really mind that it doesn't make its own noises. As you can see, he provides those happily enough.

April 2010 Newsletter

2010-04-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

Our April Newsletter has all the latest on our Spring recitals, RCMA discounts for Summer Camp Registration, and our newest group offerings including the Rhythm Roots class from 5:30-6 pm on Tuesdays at Northwest Childrens Theater in downtown Portland. Rhythm Roots is going to be a really fun and useful class for young musicians and for RCMA families we're offering 8 weeks of classes for just $50! (And it's a great deal at only $100 for everybody else, so why not join with a friend for a musical playdate?)

Parents, we also mention some great ways for you to join in the expressive fun by taking lessons yourself! You can add 15 minutes to your child's time, take lessons with a friend, join our intensive classes from 8-9 am or 4-5 pm during camp (Monday through Friday July 12-16th), or jump right in and sign up for private lessons. Over the years I've had the privilege of teaching many adult beginners, some of whom have gone on to join local amateur ensembles. Don't forget to challenge yourself with classes and opportunities like this- it's worth your time!

Click below to download or print the Newsletter.

Newsletter April 2010

The Teacher's Perspective: Practicing, Performing, Perception.

2010-04-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

Apathy can only be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: First, an ideal which takes the imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice.
~ Arnold Toynbee

This weekend my husband Jonathan and I herded our two boys out the door for a trip downtown. Every week I get an update from a local free-activities blog in my Google Reader (www.aroundthesunblog.com), and the Cirque de Soleil festivities at Pioneer Square caught my eye. I saw the show a few years back and was completely smitten. Here was a great way to introduce the kids to these artists.

The trip for us is an event in itself. We live in Beaverton and Toby (age 4) has a serious fascination with trains, so naturally we took the Max. Piling Isaac, age 2, into his somewhat outgrown backpack/stroller and taking Toby by the hand we bravely made our way to the platform. We haven't taken the train as much since Isaac "Mr. Dramatic" Ward came along. Up till now he just has not enjoyed sitting in his stroller for the duration of the trip on the train, so we abstained as an act of mercy to the other passengers. Today he was a stellar patron, chatting with the skateboarding tweens and charming any middle-aged men he could get to look up from their iGear. He always picks the toughest audience, just to keep things fresh. We were pleased and relieved to avoid melt-downs, blow-outs and tears.

Getting off at Pioneer Square, we were met by some funky gypsy-esque music and saw a small crowd beginning to form in the square. The Cirque folks, faces painted and wearing all black, were giving away candy and popcorn, painting faces and generally clowning around. Several young women weaved through the crowd on stilts and unicycles. In the center of the square there was a performer hanging from two ropy strips of fabric, twisting them around her body and her body around them in miraculous ways; a single serving of ballet tangled in red curtains. Toby, clearly enthralled, said, "Can we go to a restaurant and eat some lunch now?" I kept pointing at the ridiculous beauty hidden just above his head, but it took a lot of convincing (and a bucket of free popcorn) before he wanted to sit and watch the show.

Why am I telling you all this?

It got me thinking about young kids and their perception of what exactly makes a "feat". What is a creative accomplishment? What makes trained performers so amazing? Why are we moved by such creativity?

I knew the boys would be captured by the performance if they were given some ways to really understand what was going on. We sat and talked about what the high flying rope artist was doing- specific things like how she pointed her toes, and general things like how graceful she was and how she never stopped moving. We mimicked her a little with our arms out like willow trees. We talked a lot about how strong her muscles must be and how she must know just what the ropes feel like so she doesn't slip or lose her balance. I wondered aloud how many times she practiced just the tiny motion of wrapping the rope around her ankle like a harness so she could stand on air. We clapped with the crowd at each new move (the clapping is always Isaac's favorite part). When she was done, we let the boys walk near the frame she had been swinging on, to see how high it really was.

My point is, I think it takes some understanding of the details of a performance to really appreciate it. This is something we can teach our kids in many everyday ways. It doesn't have to be a musical performance you explore & explain in order to benefit your musical child. Emphasizing and valuing the diligence, details and hard work that go into any performance can give kids more motivation to work. It can get them through months of trying to master "Song of the Wind" or a whole term focusing on how their wrist is moving around the instrument. Or even sustain one through endless lifelong painstaking student-loan acquiring work on the bow hold. Did I say that out loud?

Jonathan and I made a small sacrifice of time & train fare and took a minor risk of exhaustion or meltdowns to get our kids in contact with some neat performances. Parents who choose music lessons for their kids make much larger sacrifices of time, money and energy to put their kids in contact with fantastic opportunities for self-expression and personal success. We all benefit when we make the most of these performances & opportunities by taking every chance to teach our kids about what it takes to create them.

Now for the practical application for music students. If you are at a lull in practice motivation or just want another tool to inspire practice, find a really beautiful video (youtube or Instant Encore are handy websites- googling can also get you some great video gems) of somebody playing the song at hand. Then set about chatting about what made the performance a success.

-Compliment specific things about the musician: Look how relaxed her shoulders are, See how straight her bow is, Listen to how beautifully in tune it is, Marvel at how quickly he plays it, etc. Don't cherry pick things from recent lessons because kids will smell manipulation a mile away. Just be honest about what strikes you.
-Talk about why you like it, musically & emotionally: It sounds like spring to me, It makes me think of dancing frogs, This is nice and relaxing because it sounds like somebody singing, etc. So often we are focusing on fixing techniques and neglecting inspiration. I love this quote from Dr. Suzuki: "Creating desire in your child’s heart is the parent’s duty."
-For older kids, find a less skilled performance to compare, and talk about what was different, what was good and what could improve.

I would note that at any age, once you've gone over a few performances together it's best if you can let your child choose their favorite, then get them to tell you exactly what they like about it. The same can of course be done with sound-only recordings, but video is often more effective.

If you're stuck on a tune and discouragement is creeping in, find a good recording of the next song in the book. Set up a low-key performance (fancy family dinner, etc.) with that specific piece as a goal. Find a video of somebody amazing playing your child's instrument. Many big-name classical musicians have been on Sesame Street, and a ton have great websites with videos on them. Portland and the surrounding cities have libraries packed full of performance DVDs. It takes some research on your part, but once you have a handful of favorites you may find your child deciding to practice simply because there is a more visible, tangible goal.

I'll discuss more about how to encourage your child's performance skills and what kinds of feedback benefit a young musician most in later posts.

Playing music is fun, but practicing music is always going to be a responsibility. It's not always fun. Self-motivated children have learned (and sometimes need to be reminded) that there is a link between the gratification of expression and ability won through stubborn persistence. It's a lesson worth teaching!

~Dr. Miriam English Ward

Further reading & resources:

From The Top is an excellent show all about incredibly accomplished young classical musicians. I absolutely love it when the radio show comes on and my kids are around to listen. The host, Christopher O'Reilly, does an incredible job interviewing these musicians. There is a PBS television show and an NPR radio show, and bunches of videos online.
Childrens Music Website's Parent Resources Page

Lots of symphonies have excellent web sites- I've listed three below. You might make a virtual tour with your kids (incorporate geography if you are super awesome) and go all over the world looking at these resources.

Oregon Symphony's Education & Community Page Did you know they have free programs at local libraries in addition to the kids programs they present? They also do outreach programs at local schools. Speak to your administrators to see if you can bring the music to your kids!
The San Francisco Symphony has a great kids page. Lots of useful info & cool resources.
The Nashville Symphony also has a good site.

The Teacher's Perspective: Easy Does It

2010-04-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

"Always keep in mind that the goal of practice is to make things easier. When the goal of practice is to "fix things," then a child's performance tends to be limited to a hope that all the things you fixed stay fixed- not a set-up likely to give a child's musical soul the freedom it needs to emerge. ...
But if you focus practice on making things easier, the child can gradually begin to assume full ownership."
~Edmund Sprunger, Psychotherapist and a leader of the modern Suzuki movement in America, in Helping Parents Practice

I have a confession to make. My job as music teacher is roughly a zillion times easier than the job of the parent or home practice partner. This is particularly true when the child is under age 8 or 9, but I feel it applies just about up to the point when the kid either wins a symphony gig or starts a rock band.... at which time they are technically a colleague, not a student, and I'm probably retired and living in Bermuda.

The parent helping the child learn to practice at home is in it for the long run. They are responsible for incorporating advice from their teacher on how to keep practicing when the honeymoon is over (often after around 9 months to a year of study). They usually have to invest as much in practicing as their child does, but they don't emerge with the magical gift of music. They have to closely study their child to continually find ways to encourage and support them. They listen to a million iterations of the same song, keep track of each new challenge and technique, play the same CDs over and over. And over.

So it's with deep respect for the role of the parent that I pass along the strength of the idea in the above quote:
The best goal of practice is to give each child the ability not just to play, but to play with ease & freedom.

Now, I'm sure some of you are thinking 'Well, duh!' Of course I want my kid to play musically and freely, but the teacher gives us these nitpicky little things to improve every week. The genius of ease-centered practice is in focusing the child on something positive- something they can do. We so often get stuck in clean-up, fix-it don't-do-that mode. "That was out of tune," "Your wrist is collapsing again," "You're rushing through that song," "Don't put your thumb there."

Phrases that support easy playing are:

"Let's try that scale and see if all your fingers can find their spots three times in a row without any reminders from you (sliding fingers around or fumbling between fingers),"

"You really changed how you moved your wrist in your lesson this week. It looked so comfortable. Can you show me what you and Teacher Fran were doing?"

"It sounds so beautiful when you play it nice and steady. Can I try walking (stomping!) to your song this time?"

"Can you show me how much bow you like to use in that part of the song?"

"Can you smile while you play that?"

"Can you play it even if I make silly faces?"

"Did that feel as easy as ______?"

"Let's sing it, and then play it. (Parents, sing loud and proud- no critics here.) Did playing it feel easy as singing?"

This goal of Ease goes beyond just getting through a tune without technical errors. It's something the best professional musicians regularly practice. One of the most incredible violinists and teachers I know is David Perry, sought-after soloist and member of the Pro Arte Quartet. (Really- just listen to him here and then go out and buy anything he records immediately.) In a coaching once he told me something I've often thought of since. "You're playing the notes in this passage, and I can see you've practiced. It just doesn't sound like you've forgotten yet that it was ever hard." Really, that is the essence of great performances. Not only are the skills demonstrated and the notes logged in, but they seem as easy as the air we breathe for the truly fantastic, expressive musician.

"Music is an outburst of the soul." ~Frederick Delius (1862-1934), American Composer

This mind set is particularly enlightening to parents of students in the first six months of playing. I have been asked by a handful of parents something along the lines of, "But why does it matter if her pinkie is curved? Is it really so important that she not turn her head to look directly over at her violin hand? Isn't it enough that she can play all the notes of Perpetual Motion? Don't these details take the fun out of learning an instrument?"

When true ease of expression in playing is the goal, long term perspective is achieved. That helps clarify why teachers have such a long list of things to learn even in the earliest tunes, and why we get so excited about the beginning student's set-up. Posture and basic technique including hand positions & muscle control contribute greatly to ease of playing. To be honest, an untrained ear & eye may not always notice a difference in the simplest early pieces. However, it's never long before weaknesses of form will hold a player back. It's "cheaper" to help a musician get a rock solid technical foundation in the basic tunes. Trying to get it together just enough to squeak through a more advanced piece when bad habits are fully entrenched is more frustrating to the student in the long run.

In addition to changing the way you approach practice, there is one sure-fire key to ease of playing: Repetition (repetition, repetition, repetition etc. ad nauseum). There's so much to say on this that I'll leave it for another series of posts, but you have probably noticed even from the first lessons how much your teacher emphasizes this. Knowing how and exactly what to repeat is an art, and we'll spend time discussing it soon.
Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill. ~Shinichi Suzuki

One final thought on the art of practicing to make playing easier and practicing for ease of playing. This involves great trust of your teacher and belief that the things they are asking you to focus on as a team are the best next steps. Parents who support their child's idea that the teacher is an expert consultant are more successful in bringing the best practice out of that child. The parent is a partner and team member, able to help the kid remember what works best and help them use the teacher's advice to the utmost. This approach can be helpful in diffusing practice resistance, especially when a child is already exploring independence (a.k.a. button pushing 101). It moves responsibility to the child, yet gives them strong support.

In addition to the series on repetition in music practice, I'll write more in another post about tools for transferring responsibility to your child and encouraging them to evaluate their own work.

Further Reading:
Helping Parents Practice by Edmund Sprunger
Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki

CORFA CAMP 2010!

2010-03-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

City of Roses Fine Arts Camp (CORFA Camp) will be at Catlin Gabel School again this year, Monday through Friday July 12th through 16th. Hours will be 9 am to 4 pm with before & after care available.

Incredible faculty from across North America will be teaching Suzuki method, orchestra, chamber music, violin, viola, cello, voice, guitar and piano. Our classes are designed for all levels, from beginners to Suzuki book 4 and beyond!

Click here to see & print our application.
CORFA Camp 2010 Application

Newsletter March 2010

2010-03-02T12:53:00.000-08:00

Click below to view or print our latest newsletter!

RCMA Newsletter Feb 2010

Excellent Article on Musician's Superior Brains!

2010-03-01T08:13:00.000-08:00

Click here for an article in the LA Times about a new study revealing that musician's brains are different. But then we knew that already...

Sunday Night Haiti Benefit Concert

2010-01-22T18:13:00.000-08:00

I'm playing, and hope to see you there!
~Miriam

Haiti Benefit Concert from our friends at Classical Revolution

2010-01-15T12:47:00.001-08:00

Mattie Kaiser, organizer of Classical Revolution PDX, sent me this email today:

Dear Revolutionaries,

It is time to use our power for good...

On January 24th at 7pm at the Kennedy School, Classical Revolution PDX and friends will perform free benefit concert to raise funds for Haiti Relief. We're are still ironing out the details, but are seeking any corporations and individuals willing to provide donations and/or matching funds. We are also interested in those willing to donate goods and services for a silent auction to be held that night. Please email us if you can support our efforts in any way.

If you would like to help out or donate anything to this cause, please contact Miriam or email Mattie directly at classicalrevolutionpdx@gmail.com. Otherwise, please do attend the concert!

Another excellent agency with personnel already on the ground in Haiti is Doctors Without Borders.

New Trimester begins January 4th, 2010

2009-11-30T14:44:00.001-08:00

Wow, that's the first time I've written "2010". Suddenly I'm humming "time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping... into the fuuuture."

My mind is packed full of music, some useful and some... not.

We have been absolutely thrilled with the progress of our students and program this fall. Thanks to all of you for investing your time and trust in us and in our superb teachers. We have a bunch of great news to announce at the recitals and in our January newsletter, so please stay tuned.

Winter term lessons begin the week of January 4th. Your lesson time & day will remain unchanged unless you have made arrangements with us or we have notified you of an adjustment. If you are a returning student* and have chosen our Standard Trimester Payment Plan (due three times each year), the payment for January's term is due by Friday, December 16th, 2009.

There are three easy ways to pay:

1. Hand a check to Valdine or Miriam at the December recital receptions
2. Mail a check to:
RCMA, 7905 SW Matheny Dr, Beaverton OR 97008
Or
3. Just click below to pay using your credit card through Paypal:

*NOTE: If you are a new student you will also need to pay a $100 deposit. Please phone Dr. Valdine Mishkin at 503-308-TUNE (8863) to discuss scheduling. You can always email rosecitymusicacademy@gmail.com with questions.

Inspirational Violinist

2009-11-12T20:49:00.000-08:00

I just have to tell you about one of my students. Bailey is a wonderful young musician who has practiced diligently in addition to concentrating and putting lots of effort into her lessons. But it's not just her skill and enjoyment of the violin that makes her a great young lady to teach. Bailey has a generous and exuberant sprit that spills over to the people around her.

This week she came in with a sweet new hairdo, having donated 13 inches of her gorgeous red hair to Locks of Love, "a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis."

Thanks, Bailey- great lesson this week.
~Dr. Miriam English Ward

More Saturday Activities!

2009-11-10T17:10:00.001-08:00

In addition to our Parent's Night Out in the Pearl on Saturday from 5pm (Have you registered? We'd love to have you!), there is a neat thing happening at one of our school locations this Saturday, November 14th 2009.

Portland First Church of the Nazarene on Raab Road will have a Christmas Marketplace with over 20 vendors on Saturday from 10am-4pm. You can find more information here.

December 2009 Recital Week

2009-11-05T21:22:00.000-08:00

Recitals are a meaningful, concrete way to encourage and celebrate all the hard work our students, faculty and family members have done this term. Students learn from performing and from enjoying their colleague's success. Our vision is that every student would perform in one of our recitals each term and that they would all attend the Honors Recital at Lewis & Clark College.

If you are an RCMA parent, please invite friends and family to come and encourage your child. We encourage anyone interested in our program to attend any of our recitals to chat with teachers and enjoy some fantastic young music makers!

Saturday, December 12th, 10:30am
Lewis & Clark College's Evans Music Center
ALL OUR STUDENTS ARE WARMLY INVITED & ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THIS SPECIAL RECITAL.
This is our Honors Solo recital for students who are invited by their teachers to show the fruits of their diligent work this term. Teacher invitation/approval is required to play a solo. We'll also have group performances pooled from the various groups we have playing each week around town. Group teachers will arrange these performances. Some of our faculty will also perform. At the conclusion of the performances we'll celebrate with treats in Seitz Lounge.

Wednesday, December 16th, 6:30pm
PAES Gresham Library
All-levels recital. Your teacher will help you find a piece to perform in this more relaxed, celebratory recital. Groups will also perform.

Thursday, December 10th, 5-7pm ***PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGED***
Sylvan Location
All-levels recital. Your teacher will help you find a piece to perform in this more relaxed, celebratory recital. Groups will also perform.

Parent's Night Out!

2009-09-02T23:08:00.000-07:00

Last month we enjoyed our first Parent's Night Out in the Pearl. Dr. Valdine Mishkin brought handouts with practice games & tips and gave an overview of the Suzuki Philosophy. Elizabeth Peyton discussed child development and specifically the strengthening of a family's communication skills through the medium of music lessons & practice partners. Dr. Miriam English Ward discussed the language we use with children and how to encourage your child's ability to learn.

Sip & Kranz gave us a lovely spread of hors d'oeuvres and our own separate room. The night was definitely a success, and we'd like to invite YOU to our November Parent's Night Out!

Our next Parent's Night Out is Saturday, November 14th from 5pm at Sip & Kranz in the Pearl. (One block South of Lovejoy on NW 10th.)

We'll discuss tips for helping your child enjoy & prepare for the upcoming recital week, innovative practice tips, trends in childhood development & education and the core thoughts behind the Suzuki Method. Sip & Kranz has a private room reserved just for us and provides a delicious spread of hors d'oeuvres. They also serve wine, microbrews and gourmet coffee. It's a great start to a fun night out for parents, or bring your kids and we'll provide some activities to help them entertain themselves while we chat.

Space is limited, so please submit payment through Paypal or by check to reserve your spot.

We'll send you a confirmation email upon receipt.
Drop-ins will also be welcome dependent on space available.