Allen Violin Studio

Important advice for the student orchestral player!

A Practical Guide to Orchestra Survival September 21, 2023, 5:21 PM · It’s the beginning of the school year for many and the beginning of a new artistic season for all of us. With the return of school, youth, community, and professional orchestras comes a new workload for busy musicians and the question: How do I learn all of this musi...

A joyful start to the new year of lessons!

Looking forward this week to digging into some new repertoire with students, starting the refining process on October recital pieces, and our upcoming parent workshop with Christine E Goodner, writer this Saturday!

This is also the LAST week to enroll your 3 or 4-year-old beginner in one of our pods - please write me at [email protected] if you have a little one who you are interested in starting in violin this year!

Calling all 3-and-4-year-olds and their grown-ups! Start your musical journey with joy, folk music from around the world, and of course, violin!

Beginner pods of 1-3 children and their caregivers meet weekly starting September 12 at Ravensworth Baptist Church, and will also participate in bi-monthly group classes with older violinists. Our studio has three recitals per year, plus other community events. Students and their grown-ups alike will find a welcoming, supportive musical community for their music-making.

Send a message for more information or visit our website to fill out an interest form!

Beginning Violin for 3's and 4's Tuition Rates: Full year: 6 payments of $235 ($1,408 total) Part 1: 3 payments of $226 ($678 total) Part 2: 3 payments of $244 ($730 total)

This young student has been working so hard on their G Major scales and all the bowings!

I love this! A lot of it applies to talking to kids about their music, too!

No matter how you go about it, talking to your kids about their art is important. Building connections through artmaking is natural. Connecting with your kids and talking to them about their creativity is the perfect way to show you care! As you head back to school with open house nights and conferences, this can be a great resource to share with guardians!

Find this resource here: https://artofed.info/44m2IEn

Ready for Year 11! I can't wait to see all our students and their families this week!

Violin virtuoso Augustin Hadelich A child prodigy who survived a crippling fire at a young age, violinist Augustin Hadelich is a superstar soloist with the globetrotting itinerary and critica...

"Fluency a step beyond mastery. Musical fluency - similar to fluency in a language - is when the music flows freely and easily, expressing something meaningful to the listener. Any troubles related to producing the music are behind you, freeing you to shape the music in the moment, as you connect with your listener."

The Art of Review: Making New Progress with Old Pieces August 7, 2019, 7:43 PM · When learning the violin or another instrument, exactly why is it necessary to review and repeat music that you already know? Don't you...already know it?

Love this graphic shared by Shaw Strings Private Studio!

As we are preparing for a new school year I've been getting some materials together for students AND their parents. This fall I am really working hard to make sure the parents and caregivers at home are feeling supported as they assist with our violin and viola practice.

While researching this, I found this great graphic from Ryan Fitz on his studio policy page. Check out this illustration of the Suzuki Triangle and you'll get a great starting point for all our responsibilities as we study music together!

Any studio alums at GMU this fall? Check out the orchestra - anyone can join, not just music majors!

Any Robinson Orchestra grads currently going to GMU? Check out GMU’s orchestra for non-Music majors!

Studio merch is for sale! Order in the next 3 days to be included in the special back-to-school batch that will be shipped in late August.

https://www.bonfire.com/store/allen-violin-studio-merch-shop/

Be sure to come to studio orientation on Zoom tomorrow (Sat) and check your emails to learn about these special events coming up this fall!

Update: we have ONE spot left in the Beginner Pod that will meet at 4:30 pm on Tuesdays, and TWO spots left in the Pod meeting at 2:15 pm - if you've been thinking about starting your 3 or 4 year old in violin this year, reach out to me and see if my studio might be a good fit!

http://www.claireallenviolin.com/beginningviolin.html

We know that violinist!

As fall, and a new school year, are just around the corner, I wanted to share this reminder about making practice a daily habit.

If you're anything like the families in my studio, in the summer while there may be regular practice, there is also a bit more flexibility with time and schedules. Often more attention to a routine is needed once school is back in session.

When I conducted research with a group of over 100 parents who practiced with their children in 2018, they overwhelmingly said the number one thing that made practice work in their family was being consistent and having a routine.
Getting everything set in place can sometimes feel challenging, but once you have a system down it can make so many things about practice feel easier!

As you're planning your schedule for fall, in addition to when your lesson will take place, it's also wise to plan time each day in your schedule for practice too!

If you have any tips for how this works in your family, please share them below!

Check out this event, hosted at the City of Fairfax Regional Library in partnership with Mason Community Arts Academy and Fairfax Fine Violins.

(Students, if you want to play at this event, look for the email about it and email me ASAP!!)

"Frederico, the Mouse Violinist" and violin petting zoo Join Mason Community Arts Academy and Fairfax Fine Violins to learn all about the violin! Violin students from Mason Community Arts Academy will perform a selection of pieces from...

Registration now open for Beginning Violin for 3's and 4's!

Submit an interest form through the website or email me at [email protected] to register!

Beginning Violin for 3's and 4's Tuition Rates: Full year: 6 payments of $235 ($1,408 total) Part 1: 3 payments of $226 ($678 total) Part 2: 3 payments of $244 ($730 total)

Free outdoor concert this weekend!

We will have two beginner pods this year, on Tuesdays from 2:15 - 3 pm and 4:30 - 5:15 pm!

Learn more and join the interest list here - registration opens on July 24!

http://www.claireallenviolin.com/beginningviolin.html

For everyone I've told to get the next Suzuki Book of recordings!

Download all the Suzuki Violin Book Recordings - Updated Links for Audio July 17, 2023, 1:35 PM · How do you find the official recordings for the Suzuki Books? While listening to recordings is an essential part of Suzuki violin, viola, cello or bass lessons, it's not as easy as I wish it was to find and purchase the recordings. With that in mind, I have created this lis...

So cool!

The Story of the Bow Welcome to our limited series on all the fascinating history, science, and stories of string instruments! We kick off the series with the bow, starting with its history from 2700 BC and beyond.

Introducing...the studio alumni newsletter! (current students/families are welcome to subscribe as well!)

Be sure to click the link in the post to subscribe and get this in your inboxes next time!

Allen Violin Studio Community Newsletter Summer Edition

Spotted this week: AVS student Sigrid at the Greater Washington Suzuki Institute! Thanks to Akemi Takayama of Shenandoah University (who is AVS alum Ethan's teacher now!) for this photo of her playing with the group!

New for the 2023-2024 school year!

Learn more: http://www.claireallenviolin.com/beginningviolin.html

"This is the most important book I've read in my entire life," she said. One of the points of the book: most people need eight hours of sleep, and the most important part of that sleep, for memory, is the final two hours of sleep.

To get the best boost from sleep, practice last thing at night, then first thing in the morning. But "you've got to get enough sleep, or it won't work," she said."

How to Help Your Brain Memorize Music, with Molly Gebrian June 28, 2018, 2:23 PM · What is the best way to memorize music? And how can the science of the brain help us be more effective with memorization?

"As you imagine your future, ask yourself what drives you to do the things you love — what really lights you up about them. Connecting emotionally with people is what makes me tick. For you, it might be a love of storytelling, or learning new things, or challenging yourself, or helping others. Whatever it might be, remembering this can help you feel grounded during periods of uncertainty, guiding you toward your next steps while retaining the core of who you are."

Opinion | What a musician turned cognitive scientist wants you to know about life Maya Shankar shares lessons she learned from playing the violin for navigating life's joys and challenges.

Wonderful article about the health benefits of singing, for everyone!

Singing is good for you. Singing with others may be even better. Studies have linked singing in a choir to reducing stress hormones, increasing immune-boosting cytokines and stimulating memory for people with dementia.

Mandatory reading for everyone!

Injury Prevention For Every Violinist: Body Mapping with Jennifer Johnson June 23, 2023, 6:05 PM · Do you really know how your own body works? Here are a few questions - and some answers that you may find surprising:

Happy Father's Day to all our studio dads!!!!!

As I was flipping through the books in our studio library by Christine Goodner, I was reminded of this quote. Parents are so important to our music studies and the little things they do at home really impact the success of our lesson time.
Somethings to think about:
- Are you helping your child manage their time to there is space to practice?
- Does your child have all the materials needed for their music making?
- Have you attended any live music together?
- Are you aware of what goals your child and teacher have for their music making right now?
Some of these things can be helped by keeping your own record of notes, others can be as simple as putting music on while you cook or bake together (That's been a favorite in our house!).
Your support and encouragement goes a long way!

New logo, new merch, plus our classic "lesson day" and "rest day" totes. Check it out and order yours here:

Allen Violin Studio Merch Shop | Apparel & gifts for violinists | Bonfire Check out Allen Violin Studio Merch Shop on Bonfire and shop official merchandise today! Featuring limited edition custom apparel, printed with care in the USA just for you.

"Believe in what you do, and don't look at what somebody else is doing," Perlman said. And use your imagination. "The person who can change lanes is a lucky person. Do something well, but do it because you love it."

Conversation and Q&A with Violinist Itzhak Perlman June 7, 2023, 2:42 PM · NEW YORK - With or without his violin, Itzhak Perlman is a master of the stage. On May 24 he spoke with wit and wisdom about his stunning life and career as a concert violinist and pedagogue, sharing his experience and advice with the participants at the Starling-DeLay Sympo...

Summer is *almost* here and I've relaunched the Bonfire shop for violin merch, including this classic "Rest Day" shirt!

https://www.bonfire.com/store/allen-violin-studio-merch-shop/

We had a wonderful time at our outdoor recital and picnic with Faith Zuniga Piano Studio today!!!

We had a great time at the City of Fairfax Regional Library this weekend presenting a musical story time and petting zoo in partnership with Fairfax Fine Violins!

Congratulations to Sarah (Level 3), Austin (Level 3), Colin (Level 6), Vickie (Level 4), and Kalina (Level 7) for passing their ASTACAP exams this year!

Coming up in a couple hours - you won't want to miss this delightful story time and an opportunity to try out a violin! (even if you already play violin, come check out this unique way of telling a story with a musical instrument!)

Sunday, May 28, 2-3:30 pm
City of Fairfax Regional Library
10360 North St, Fairfax, VA 22030

Listen to and interact with the stories and musicians. What will a musical mad-lib sound like? Have you ever been to an instrument petting zoo?

Join violin teaching artists Hannah Price and Lillian Green for a musical storytime featuring "Red Wagon" by Liwska. Try playing a violin with our instrument petting zoo, provided by Fairfax Fine Violins.

https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/10547970

Sunday, May 28, 2-3:30 pm
City of Fairfax Regional Library
10360 North St, Fairfax, VA 22030

Listen to and interact with the stories and musicians. What will a musical mad-lib sound like? Have you ever been to an instrument petting zoo?

Join violin teaching artists Hannah Price and Lillian Green for a musical storytime featuring "Red Wagon" by Liwska. Try playing a violin with our instrument petting zoo, provided by Fairfax Fine Violins.

https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/10547970

"It’s easy to watch a performer onstage and marvel at their ease, confidence, and seeming lack of nerves. But because the highly skilled performers make it look so natural, we can forget that performance is a skill. And a skill is something that can be studied, practiced, and developed."

The Art of Preparing for a Violin Performance May 18, 2023, 7:12 PM · Whether you’re feeling rusty after a few years away from in-person performances, have never performed before, or struggle with feeling like you’re never as confident as you want to be on performance day, that’s all normal. It’s easy to watch a performer onstage and m...