Suzuki Violin Institute

We had violin institute for a week in June. I love institute and how it energizes the kids...mostly my daughter. This year she improved immensely, but then lost it about 2 weeks later by refusing to practice, and I was just tired of fighting her. She is doing better again, but not like she was in June at Institute.

She had amazing teachers.

We had a full schedule this year. She took an art class for fun, and Zach was able to go on her last day and participate with her there. They both had lots of fun with that.

The day Zach came they designed frisbies and got to toss them around outside. The big project was a rain stick (see below).

I am happy that she is learning a musical instrument. I think it is so important. I wish I would have stuck with the instruments I started out with so many years ago. Piano, Violin and Guitar... Yip can't play any of them.

Ali with her friend Tyler who she met last year at institute (2008) -

They had almost identical schedules in the same classes together.

One of the highlights of her week was to meet Jenny Oaks Baker in person. Alicyn had to buy one of her cd's and have her autograph it. She is so talented and nice. Ali told me "Mom, if I can get a picture with her, I will just die, I am such a fan!" I laughed to myself.

Spring Violin Recital

On June 5th, Alicyn had her spring violin recital. She got a little to nervous this time, but she did so great and we are proud of her getting up in front of everyone and doing her best.

She had great family to come and support her Grandma Jeanne, Grandma & Grandpa Colby, Dad, Mom and Zach.

We love you babe.

Violin Graduation

On Thursday evening Ali graduated from the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star level and moved onto the next level. All the students graduating performed at their level on Thursday night at Cottonwood High School. They received a graduation certificate afterwards.

We walked in and started scoping out a place to sit. Once settled Ali asked me if I brought my camera. "WHAT"??? How could I forget my camera? Especially on such an exciting occasion. BUT I DID! I took a few pictures of her with my cell phone, whoopee!

Ali was so nervous that her jaw was chattering like she was experiencing hypothermia or something. We went back out in the hall to have her violin tuned, and we were able to talk with Kayleen for a few minutes (her teacher). Her level played last, when it was time for her to perform, we walked out into the hall again and once I knew she was in the right place went back inside.

She did fantastic. She was toward the back so we couldn't see her face but we could see her bow, up and down up and down. She stayed with all the other students and did great. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!

Suzuki Institute Fundraiser

Ali has the opportunity to go to Violin Institute again in the spring. This year it was held in June. Institute really fired her up, and she was excited to learn and practice all over again. She made new friends, learned new techniques and tips for practicing.

Miss Kayleen has organized a fundraiser again this year to help us with the price of tuition. All items are $14.00 and Ali gets 45% of the profit.

She will probably visit a few neighbors and family, if you would like to help out she would love it. She has asked me 6 times if I am going to buy something from her. She feels like she is working for her tuition by doing this fundraiser, which cracks me up. If you are interested orders/money needs to be turned in by October 29th.

THANKS! Click on the picture and it will enlarge so you can read the details.

Intermountain Suzuki String Institute

Last week Alicyn had the opportunity to go to the Intermountain String Institute, which was held at Juan Diego Catholic School in Draper. It was quite the opportunity and WE THANK EVERYONE who helped to get her there. Kayleen, her violin teacher held a fundraiser for all her students last fall so we could raise some money to help with the tuition. We had so much support from family and friends. We are so grateful to you! Institute started on Monday morning and ended on Saturday afternoon. (June 16th through June 21st)

Alicyn was able to be on education leave from regular school. Monday, we went in the morning to register and get our schedule for the week.

Our classes started at 1:00 on Monday and we met her Master Class teacher Ms. Bossuat. She is incredible, from California, and studied with Dr. Suzuki himself. She taught both of us so much this week.

On Tuesday, our second day with Ms. Bossuat, she was able to help us know that Alicyn's chin rest was the wrong kind for her chin and she was having to strain to much to hold the violin to play correctly. We found this out partly because, Alicyn ended up passing out in the middle of her 10 minute session with her in front of her 4 classmates/mom's and 8 teachers in training. She fell backwards and smacked her head on the concrete floor with her legs twisted underneath her. It was quite the show that had everyone scrambling around the room to help. I didn't panic because she did this once before at her regular lessons. (it is a little worrisome when her eyes are rolled back in her head and she is white) We took her out into the hall, thinking it might be cooler, and she used an extra T-Shirt the teacher had as a pillow. The thing that was so disappointing to me was she missed out on valuable time with her teacher. Ms. Bossuat told Alicyn at the end of the week that she will never forget her...we made a lasting impression. LOL


Alicyn also took three other classes during the entire week. A Dalcroze class, which was so fun for her and interesting for me. Here is the definition of Dalcroze:The Dalcroze Method is a method of teaching musical concepts through movement. A variety of movement analogues are used for musical concepts, to develop an integrated and natural feel for musical expression. Turning the body into a well-tuned musical instrument, Dalcroze felt, was the best path to generating a solid, vibrant musical foundation. The Dalcroze Method consists of three equally important elements: Eurhythmics, solfege, and improvisation. Together, according to Dalcroze, they comprise the musicianship training of a complete musician. In an ideal approach, elements from each subject blend together, resulting in teaching rooted in creativity and movement.

Alicyn had a chorus class which helps with sound and pitch of music. Where they learned three songs from The Lion King, with dances and performed in three days time. It is amazing how quickly kids pick things up and can turn it into something great and amazing to watch. Grandma Diane came to watch and took us out to lunch afterwards. Her chorus teacher was Ms. Debbie who is the newest member of the Tabernacle Choir.

The fourth class was to focus on her violin techniques, as a group they learned songs with rhythms and did all kinds of activities with those songs to help her with the rhythm of the songs she is learning right now.

My favorite part of the whole week....the time I was able to spend with Alicyn. We had so much fun together and went to lunch every day, (she is hooked on Subway) which was fine with me lunch for both of us at $5.

Our friend Laura, she was in the violin 8 class and they played the Hungarian Dance, WOW!! that was fantastic and my very favorite song that was played the entire concert. Laura is who inspired Ali to want to play the violin. So I of course am very grateful to her. Ali wanted to find her every day so we could hang out with her and her mom Missy. I wish I would have gotten a picture with them. They are our dear friends.

For now...Alicyn is so excited to practice, and play with that shot in the arm of fun, and teaching we had all week long. She told me she never wants to miss Violin Camp...EVER! So, I guess I will try and start saving my money now. It will take place the same week of June next year and she already wishes it was time to go again.

All the violin students performed as groups (their level) on Saturday, and I was proud of her to get up there and do her best. She was worried about it and didn't want to.
One thing Alicyn said....she wishes she could go to that school all the time and not her school. She thought that Juan Diego was just a violin school all the time. I had to explain that it is like her school, they are just out for the summer and are letting us use their building (she was disappointed). Next year I think I will put Zach in a few classes to get his little mind going musically. He would have loved it too.

Thanks again for all the support and help to get her there!!