It's a year since I packed up the car in Blenheim, complete with cat (but leaving cell phone on the living room floor) and drove south to start my life in Dunedin. We took two days to get here, staying overnight with Mum and it's been one of the best moves ever.
When I arrived back in the city of my University years, I had a notebook of ideas and some wonderful people to make contact with. A year on and it's amazing to think what has happened.
Education Liaison for the Southern Sinfonia was one of the first additional roles I took on - although the work didn't start until the following year. After my work with the Auckland Philharmonia as Education Coordinator, this was a role I have thoroughly enjoyed. Alongside the running and tutoring of the Sinfonia Academy there was the Play with the Orchestra project, introducing secondary school students to concerts as well as scholarships to promote, instruments to hire and all the report writing. One of the most exciting things about this role is that next year I get to implement a number of ideas of my own. Starting small, but eventually there will be more.
Chamber Music Contest Coordinator is a role that kind of just happened. Kirsten was getting married weeks before the event, so her brain was completely occupied. Over the June weekend more than 40 groups from Otago participated in the event with Graham McPhail adjudicating. I was most excited to see that the group that won, two of my former pupils playing.
Saturday Morning Music Classes was another, 'just kind of happened' roles. A week before classes were due to start I got a phone call asking whether I could teach. Initially it was a beginning traditional class and a more advanced violin class. However on the first day there, I was also asked to teach a Listen and Learn class. Surprise!
For two terms this year I taught two groups at Halfway Bush School. I supplied the instruments and the time and they turned up with energy and enthusiasm. The concert we performed at the end of the second term was wonderful. They were focused and prepared, and even enjoyed themselves!
My own pupils this year have been a lot of fun. We've played a lot of games including numerous bow exercises every week. My formerly broken right hand pinky is stronger than most, but still has that odd-looking bump at the knuckle. Countless Twinkles later we are almost finished for the year. The end of term concert hasn't quite happened, which is a shame, but no doubt we will be ready to go next year.
I have had the wonderful opportunity of working with some viola players this year. It is always fun to develop tone with these students, and this year we have also looked in to being flexible players. Treble clef and alto clef at any given moment (I'm not mean, really), harmonies for violins and violas, different keys (sorry about the five flats...) we will be the most diverse violists in Dunedin ever.
My own viola playing has been fun. I helped with the Columba production of Oklahoma and also played in the Dunedin Musical Society's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. As the only viola player with limited rehearsals due to other commitments - this was especially exciting on opening night! My mission for this summer is to continue with my playing and audition (cough cough) for the Sinfonia. There is a little phobia to overcome here, but the plan is in place.
As exciting as projects are, they would never be as exciting, challenging or enjoyable if it wasn't for the people. A huge thank you to you all for making this year.
Bring on 2013. There are still a number of things in my little notebook I want to do...
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Teachers' collaboration
Wow...I say that a lot, I know. Wow!
It's almost the end of 2012. I have just had a lovely evening talking to young violin teachers about teaching ideas I use, games I play, toys to play with and possible ways to approach issues with students. It has reminded me that there are so many ideas we have as teachers which we keep to ourselves, ideas which other teachers find useful and helpful and think are wonderful.
As teachers we get caught up with our own students and teaching, it's sometimes hard to look outside of our studio to see what else is going on.
I love the Suzuki approach to teaching where we share ideas with other teachers willingly. The fact that the training programme has so much weighting on observing other teachers is fantastic. It's through watching others that I have found so many wonderful ideas to adopt in my regular teaching.
The end of year is fast approaching and I am preparing students for an end of year performance. For this we combine with other Suzuki teachers - my beginners get to see more advanced players and play in a larger group. All good fun!
If any teacher has any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. It's always lovely talking to others to find out what you do. Teachers unite...we're amazing.
I'm going to share the wonderful post about the top 10 Skills Children Learn from the Arts. We always knew we were wonderful - here's more proof!
Happy teaching!
It's almost the end of 2012. I have just had a lovely evening talking to young violin teachers about teaching ideas I use, games I play, toys to play with and possible ways to approach issues with students. It has reminded me that there are so many ideas we have as teachers which we keep to ourselves, ideas which other teachers find useful and helpful and think are wonderful.
As teachers we get caught up with our own students and teaching, it's sometimes hard to look outside of our studio to see what else is going on.
I love the Suzuki approach to teaching where we share ideas with other teachers willingly. The fact that the training programme has so much weighting on observing other teachers is fantastic. It's through watching others that I have found so many wonderful ideas to adopt in my regular teaching.
The end of year is fast approaching and I am preparing students for an end of year performance. For this we combine with other Suzuki teachers - my beginners get to see more advanced players and play in a larger group. All good fun!
If any teacher has any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. It's always lovely talking to others to find out what you do. Teachers unite...we're amazing.
I'm going to share the wonderful post about the top 10 Skills Children Learn from the Arts. We always knew we were wonderful - here's more proof!
1. Creativity – Being able to think on your feet, approach tasks from different
perspectives and think ‘outside of the box’ will distinguish your child from
others. In an arts program, your child will be asked to recite a monologue in 6
different ways, create a painting that represents a memory, or compose a new
rhythm to enhance a piece of music. If children have practice thinking
creatively, it will come naturally to them now and in their future career.
2. Confidence – The skills developed through theater, not only train you how to
convincingly deliver a message, but also build the confidence you need to take
command of the stage. Theater training gives children practice stepping out of
their comfort zone and allows them to make mistakes and learn from them in
rehearsal. This process gives children the confidence to perform in front of
large audiences.
3. Problem Solving – Artistic creations are born through the
solving of problems. How do I turn this clay into a sculpture? How do I portray
a particular emotion through dance? How will my character react in this
situation? Without even realizing it kids that participate in the arts are
consistently being challenged to solve problems. All this practice problem
solving develops children’s skills in reasoning and understanding. This will
help develop important problem-solving skills necessary for success in any
career.
4. Perseverance – When a child picks up a violin for the first
time, she/he knows that playing Bach right away is not an option; however, when
that child practices, learns the skills and techniques and doesn’t give up,
that Bach concerto is that much closer. In an increasingly competitive world, where
people are being asked to continually develop new skills, perseverance is
essential to achieving success.
5. Focus – The ability to focus is a key skill developed through ensemble
work. Keeping a balance between listening and contributing involves a great
deal of concentration and focus. It requires each participant to not only think
about their role, but how their role contributes to the big picture of what is
being created. Recent research has shown that participation in the arts
improves children’s abilities to concentrate and focus in other aspects of
their lives.
6. Non-Verbal Communication – Through experiences in theater and dance
education, children learn to breakdown the mechanics of body language. They
experience different ways of moving and how those movements communicate
different emotions. They are then coached in performance skills to ensure they
are portraying their character effectively to the audience.
7. Receiving Constructive Feedback – Receiving constructive feedback about a
performance or visual art piece is a regular part of any arts instruction.
Children learn that feedback is part of learning and it is not something to be
offended by or to be taken personally. It is something helpful. The goal is the
improvement of skills and evaluation is incorporated at every step of the
process. Each arts discipline has built in parameters to ensure that critique
is a valuable experience and greatly contributes to the success of the final
piece.
8. Collaboration – Most arts disciplines are collaborative in
nature. Through the arts, children practice working together, sharing
responsibility, and compromising with others to accomplish a common goal. When
a child has a part to play in a music ensemble, or a theater or dance
production, they begin to understand that their contribution is necessary for
the success of the group. Through these experiences children gain confidence
and start to learn that their contributions have value even if they don’t have
the biggest role.
9. Dedication – When kids get to practice following through with artistic
endeavors that result in a finished product or performance, they learn to
associate dedication with a feeling of accomplishment. They practice developing
healthy work habits of being on time for rehearsals and performances,
respecting the contributions of others, and putting effort into the success of
the final piece. In the performing arts, the reward for dedication is the warm
feeling of an audience’s applause that comes rushing over you, making all your
efforts worthwhile.
10. Accountability – When children practice creating something
collaboratively they get used to the idea that their actions affect other
people. They learn that when they are not prepared or on-time, that other
people suffer. Through the arts, children also learn that it is important to
admit that you made a mistake and take responsibility for it. Because mistakes
are a regular part of the process of learning in the arts, children begin to
see that mistakes happen. We acknowledge them, learn from them and move on.
(Editor’s Note: The full version of this post
appears on Lisa’s website. Lisa also recently released a book,The Artistic Edge, which explores why
leadership skills taught through the arts are what young people need most to be
successful in life.)
Happy teaching!
Friday, September 21, 2012
End of Term Concert-itis
One week to go until SCHOOL HOLIDAYS! I'm excited. I am looking forward to catching up on sleep, family and even some individual practice too.
Until then it's the end of term concert run.
Oklahoma was last week with Columba Collegiate. 3 nights of Beautiful Mornings performed (with a matinee thrown in to mix it up).
Today my student performed in a little solo concert. Well done Gideon! First concert - wahoo!! The first of many :) Thank you Lucy for getting up and playing. So sorry Desiree for giving you the wrong time. There will definitely be another opportunity to perform again!
Tomorrow is the Saturday Morning Music Classes Demonstration Concert. 300+ performers by the end with a rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy. What a sound!
Tuesday the Dunedin Youth Orchestra perform. Good luck Stephanie! Your Kabalevsky will be amazing! Looking forward to the Prokofiev Symphony too.
Thursday the 27th of September at 7pm, George St Normal School will be the Southern Sinfonia Academy's final concert of the year. They have worked hard! Strings will play a number of pieces including Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Violin Concerto #2 by 10 year old Cameron Monteath (with correct spelling this time Cameron) and Prof. Teddy Bor's fantastic arrangement of McMozart. Imagine Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in Scotland. We then combine with the wind players for some film scores (Prince Caspian and Pirates), some Dragonfly and Gadfly and conclude the evening with Rosin Eating Zombies. If you survive there will be supper :)
Phew! As if that's not enough over the school holidays will be the final rehearsals and performances (9 or 10) of Dunedin Musical Theatre's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Mayfair Theatre. Should be fun!
Until then it's the end of term concert run.
Oklahoma was last week with Columba Collegiate. 3 nights of Beautiful Mornings performed (with a matinee thrown in to mix it up).
Today my student performed in a little solo concert. Well done Gideon! First concert - wahoo!! The first of many :) Thank you Lucy for getting up and playing. So sorry Desiree for giving you the wrong time. There will definitely be another opportunity to perform again!
Tomorrow is the Saturday Morning Music Classes Demonstration Concert. 300+ performers by the end with a rendition of Beethoven's Ode to Joy. What a sound!
Tuesday the Dunedin Youth Orchestra perform. Good luck Stephanie! Your Kabalevsky will be amazing! Looking forward to the Prokofiev Symphony too.
Thursday the 27th of September at 7pm, George St Normal School will be the Southern Sinfonia Academy's final concert of the year. They have worked hard! Strings will play a number of pieces including Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Violin Concerto #2 by 10 year old Cameron Monteath (with correct spelling this time Cameron) and Prof. Teddy Bor's fantastic arrangement of McMozart. Imagine Eine Kleine Nachtmusik in Scotland. We then combine with the wind players for some film scores (Prince Caspian and Pirates), some Dragonfly and Gadfly and conclude the evening with Rosin Eating Zombies. If you survive there will be supper :)
Phew! As if that's not enough over the school holidays will be the final rehearsals and performances (9 or 10) of Dunedin Musical Theatre's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Mayfair Theatre. Should be fun!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Term three
Wow! Term three is here and August is almost upon us.
One of my favourite times of year when winter breaks and spring pokes through, but before the stress of end of year exams and assessments.
Sinfonia Academy this term is a couple of weeks longer. This means we have the opportunity to explore more pieces and in more detail. So far we have a piece written by a Dunedin student, some Bizet, Prince Caspian, Nina Simone, Rosin Eating Zombies and coming soon a little Pirates and Prof. Teddy Bor.
One of my students has had her first concert broadcast on radio :) Thank you Captain Cornflakes for broadcasting that wonderful moment.
Halfway Bush students have completed their first term of lessons and very soon they will be able to take their violins home to continue practising. Thanks to trademe there are a pile of violins in the next room purchased from $5 to $65.
Saturday Morning Classes will have their concert at the end of the term. My advanced students have continued fiddling along with some jazz and fantastic duets. We now have a rather large repertoire of entertaining pieces which we can select from for a performance. My first year traditional students are busy working on pieces for the concert and Listen and Learn had a wonderful time on Saturday with balloons and Mary Poppins landings along with numerous games of 'Hide the Bow'.
All in all it's productive and bubbling along. Looking at a concert at the end of the term which will be exciting :) More details to come!
One of my favourite times of year when winter breaks and spring pokes through, but before the stress of end of year exams and assessments.
Sinfonia Academy this term is a couple of weeks longer. This means we have the opportunity to explore more pieces and in more detail. So far we have a piece written by a Dunedin student, some Bizet, Prince Caspian, Nina Simone, Rosin Eating Zombies and coming soon a little Pirates and Prof. Teddy Bor.
One of my students has had her first concert broadcast on radio :) Thank you Captain Cornflakes for broadcasting that wonderful moment.
Halfway Bush students have completed their first term of lessons and very soon they will be able to take their violins home to continue practising. Thanks to trademe there are a pile of violins in the next room purchased from $5 to $65.
Saturday Morning Classes will have their concert at the end of the term. My advanced students have continued fiddling along with some jazz and fantastic duets. We now have a rather large repertoire of entertaining pieces which we can select from for a performance. My first year traditional students are busy working on pieces for the concert and Listen and Learn had a wonderful time on Saturday with balloons and Mary Poppins landings along with numerous games of 'Hide the Bow'.
All in all it's productive and bubbling along. Looking at a concert at the end of the term which will be exciting :) More details to come!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Crazy Winter
The month of June has always been riddled with events and this year is no different.
Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th saw the NZCT Chamber Music Contest held in Dunedin at Marama Hall with 42 groups competing. The winners, Sunshine Daisies Butter Mellow (nice Harry Potter reference there) from Columba College had two of my former students in it - just a little proud there :)
Also coming up is the Southern Sinfonia performing with the Topp Twins at the Regent Theatre on Saturday the 16th of June at 7:30pm. I was working at the APO when they performed and aside from a few TV cameras and booms in the way everyone had a fantastic night. I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun!
Also on the 16th of June Chamber Music New Zealand has a fundraiser at the Art Gallery from 6pm. Entry includes a glass of wine, look around the exhibition as well as the pleasure of listening to finalists from the Chamber Music Contest as well as John van Buskirk and singers.
Thursday 21st June is the Sinfonia Academy's first concert for the year. All term the student have been working towards presenting a programme for family and friends. 7pm at George St Normal School Hall there will certainly be a level of excitement in the air. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the past few weeks. I'm currently in the process of sorting/arranging music for next term. Should be exciting!
From there we head to a more personal event. I'm going to be an Aunty again on the 25th of June :)
Is that it? Almost!
Will also be heading to Mosgiel for the Taieri Musical Society production of Jesus Christ Superstar featuring my flatmate's sister and brother in law.
Southern Sinfonia's Matinee 2 on Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 1st of July featuring the amazing Sarah Wilson on trumpet :) Looking forward to catching up with Sarah while she is here and hoping she won't be to cold after the tropics of Queensland. She used to live in Christchurch - so she should be prepared!
July also has a few more highlights - Sinfonia International 2 with Brett Kelly, Play with the Orchestra on the 15th where students get to play alongside the Southern Sinfonia, Marriage of Figaro and the all important school holidays where teachers get horrendously sick, recover and then start preparing for the forthcoming term.
Hopefully the snow showers from today will not feature too heavily.
Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th saw the NZCT Chamber Music Contest held in Dunedin at Marama Hall with 42 groups competing. The winners, Sunshine Daisies Butter Mellow (nice Harry Potter reference there) from Columba College had two of my former students in it - just a little proud there :)
Also coming up is the Southern Sinfonia performing with the Topp Twins at the Regent Theatre on Saturday the 16th of June at 7:30pm. I was working at the APO when they performed and aside from a few TV cameras and booms in the way everyone had a fantastic night. I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun!
Also on the 16th of June Chamber Music New Zealand has a fundraiser at the Art Gallery from 6pm. Entry includes a glass of wine, look around the exhibition as well as the pleasure of listening to finalists from the Chamber Music Contest as well as John van Buskirk and singers.
Thursday 21st June is the Sinfonia Academy's first concert for the year. All term the student have been working towards presenting a programme for family and friends. 7pm at George St Normal School Hall there will certainly be a level of excitement in the air. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the past few weeks. I'm currently in the process of sorting/arranging music for next term. Should be exciting!
From there we head to a more personal event. I'm going to be an Aunty again on the 25th of June :)
Is that it? Almost!
Will also be heading to Mosgiel for the Taieri Musical Society production of Jesus Christ Superstar featuring my flatmate's sister and brother in law.
Southern Sinfonia's Matinee 2 on Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 1st of July featuring the amazing Sarah Wilson on trumpet :) Looking forward to catching up with Sarah while she is here and hoping she won't be to cold after the tropics of Queensland. She used to live in Christchurch - so she should be prepared!
July also has a few more highlights - Sinfonia International 2 with Brett Kelly, Play with the Orchestra on the 15th where students get to play alongside the Southern Sinfonia, Marriage of Figaro and the all important school holidays where teachers get horrendously sick, recover and then start preparing for the forthcoming term.
Hopefully the snow showers from today will not feature too heavily.
Monday, May 14, 2012
NZ Music Month!
NZ Music Month!
May is NZ Music Month and this month has certainly been a month of music!
My last post was in April! That was WEEKS ago.
Since then Sinfonia Academy has kicked off for 2012. The energy and enthusiasm of teenagers is infectious! Every Thursday night George St resonates with the sweet sounds of strings and wind players. On the 21st of June our first concert at George St will have everyone tapping their toes. Come and join us! 7pm.
New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest is ticking along. 9th and 10th of June Marama Hall will be bustling with chamber groups uniting to present performances, hoping to secure a place in the national finals. Good luck to them! If you want to join us there, feel free to come down.
My new project is about to kick off. Tomorrow I start at Halfway Bush school teaching 13 students violin. It's a pilot project of mine and something I have been looking at doing for a while. Halfway Bush school is only ten minutes walk from here. Maybe next project will look at creating a viola army. Watch out Dunedin! Here comes the next generation :)
May is NZ Music Month and this month has certainly been a month of music!
My last post was in April! That was WEEKS ago.
Since then Sinfonia Academy has kicked off for 2012. The energy and enthusiasm of teenagers is infectious! Every Thursday night George St resonates with the sweet sounds of strings and wind players. On the 21st of June our first concert at George St will have everyone tapping their toes. Come and join us! 7pm.
New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest is ticking along. 9th and 10th of June Marama Hall will be bustling with chamber groups uniting to present performances, hoping to secure a place in the national finals. Good luck to them! If you want to join us there, feel free to come down.
My new project is about to kick off. Tomorrow I start at Halfway Bush school teaching 13 students violin. It's a pilot project of mine and something I have been looking at doing for a while. Halfway Bush school is only ten minutes walk from here. Maybe next project will look at creating a viola army. Watch out Dunedin! Here comes the next generation :)
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Southern Sinfonia
Sinfonia Academy 2012 is gearing up to go. Students are coming on board and in the next week or so I will be going through with next term's tutors to get the music organised. Should be exciting! First rehearsal is the 26th of April, so if there are any school age students grade 3-6 of wind or strings who would like to join us in Dunedin, then please get in touch with me soon. We'd love to have you with us!
Contact me hannah@planetnz.com for further information.
All sorts of smaller projects for Southern Sinfonia are opening up as I get a firmer grasp of the new role as Education Liaison. Watch out students! There are lots of fantastic opportunities coming up. Contact me if you want to be part of it all :)
Contact me hannah@planetnz.com for further information.
All sorts of smaller projects for Southern Sinfonia are opening up as I get a firmer grasp of the new role as Education Liaison. Watch out students! There are lots of fantastic opportunities coming up. Contact me if you want to be part of it all :)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Lots on the go
The new year has been turbo-charged with lots of new adventures.
Teaching is wonderful. My students are delightful and I love exploring new adventures with them. From bow exercises through to posture for playing and producing tear-inducing tone.
Southern Sinfonia has some amazing projects this year. The first rehearsal for the Sinfonia Academy will be super exciting. Bring on term 2!
Chamber Music New Zealand also has some exciting developments. The New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest in June will be an intense weekend. Looking forward to it :)
My other source of employment is BabyCity which is gearing up to stock take next Tuesday. Loong day!
I think this is enough!
Teaching is wonderful. My students are delightful and I love exploring new adventures with them. From bow exercises through to posture for playing and producing tear-inducing tone.
Southern Sinfonia has some amazing projects this year. The first rehearsal for the Sinfonia Academy will be super exciting. Bring on term 2!
Chamber Music New Zealand also has some exciting developments. The New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest in June will be an intense weekend. Looking forward to it :)
My other source of employment is BabyCity which is gearing up to stock take next Tuesday. Loong day!
I think this is enough!
Monday, February 6, 2012
New Year, New Town, New students
2012! Wow..
This year brings with it all sorts of opportunities and possibilities yet to be realised. Back in Dunedin where I spent my final year as a high school student and my university life. Some people have moved on to other things, but there are also a number of familiar faces.
In some ways it's like coming home again to the familiar locations and people who know you and in other ways it's a whole new adventure. This time I can drive! This means can live in a non-student location...like up a hill, over a valley and up another hill. Aside from thinking about parking in the city it is definitely useful.
I start teaching my first student today :) I am excited to be teaching preschoolers again. Their enthusiasm and energy is infectious. Time to dust off the toys and warm up the vocal chords!
This year brings with it all sorts of opportunities and possibilities yet to be realised. Back in Dunedin where I spent my final year as a high school student and my university life. Some people have moved on to other things, but there are also a number of familiar faces.
In some ways it's like coming home again to the familiar locations and people who know you and in other ways it's a whole new adventure. This time I can drive! This means can live in a non-student location...like up a hill, over a valley and up another hill. Aside from thinking about parking in the city it is definitely useful.
I start teaching my first student today :) I am excited to be teaching preschoolers again. Their enthusiasm and energy is infectious. Time to dust off the toys and warm up the vocal chords!
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