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.
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 Li
on King, with danc
es 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.
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.
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. LOLAlicyn 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 Li
on King, with danc
es 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.
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 pr
oud 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.
oud 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!!
