making music part III.

Ever since we moved here five years ago Lexie has been blessed with wonderful violin teachers. Lindsay, Madeline, and Sara were the beginning to Lexie's success in how far she has come in playing the violin.

We love, and appreciate music so much. So much that our house literally sounds like a music hall. Since Sierra has been gone there hasn't been to much piano playing, but there is certainly a lot of violin playing. 

I usually cancel lessons for the summer, but this year I didn't. I put time in for Lexie to take lessons once a week, and managed squeezing in time throughout all the traveling we've done. I can tell that music makes the girls happy, and that going to their lessons is an accomplishment, and a goal.

A goal knowing and hoping that if they continue to keep playing that they can be the best pianist, and violinist this side of Jersey. In my eyes they are. They are hardworking, and practice so hard. Lexie is my violinist, and she loves playing. It has been a great summer because she continues to improve on her technique, and having a great teacher makes all the difference.

Once again we said goodbye to Sara as she is returning to NYU again. I was worrying about finding another teacher on short notice with school starting soon. Luckily Sara gave me the number of the woman that taught her since she was seven.

We met with her the other day, and we got along really well. This woman is very knowledgeable, and sharp! Her credentials are impressive, and has taught for 30 years. She is very experienced and was blown away at our recent trial lesson she gave Lexie. She is a sweet lady, and someone that I feel I can look up to as a mother.

I vined a little bit of her playing here, and her first lesson with her went well. I know that with a teacher like Ms. Alice Lexie is going to learn more, and perhaps more throughly. There is no perfect violinist, but really good violin players, and I believe that Lexie will get to that point with Ms. Alice in hopes that she will make it into the All South Jersey Junior Orchestra again (and maybe even play like Lindsey Stirling someday!) 

Lexie with Ms. Alice

Music is the key to happiness, and heals the soul. Without it life would be boring. I know that Lexie feels lost without her violin in tow. Listening to the strings fiddling in the background is soothing, and helps me get back to me. Having music in the home is an important part of our life, and we will sacrifice a lot to have the girls continue to play what they love.

Lexie & Sarah

We all need music to escape these days.

Making Music Part II

"Music must never offend the ear, but must please the listener, or, in other words, must never cease to be music."

~Mozart

One thing that is very consistent in our home is music. I hear it in the morning, I hear it in the afternoon, and I hear it in the evening. I even hear it in my sleep. I am not musically inclined by any means, but I LOVE to listen, and I mean really listen to the notes being played. The best part of listening to this music is that it is clean and uplifting. I am so pleased that I have brought something into my home that I was not raised with. Listening to my girls playing duets on the piano and violin brings a peaceful feeling into our home, and it feels as if the things of the world do not matter. Time stops and all I hear is the beating of that big box of wood, and the pounding of 88 black and white keys being played. It is a heaven on earth when I hear those sounds of music being played.

 Lexie's first violin teacher was a great violinist and played beautifully. She taught her for almost three years, but I felt that Lexie needed to be more challenged so I decided to find her another teacher. It was all in good timing because Sister Monson moved to Salt Lake City shortly after the transition, (I guess you can say it was a blessing in disguise.) We were lucky to have found another great violinist to teach Lexie over the summer. I'm sad to say that after teaching Lexie for three months, Sara will be leaving us. She will be going to NYU in a week, and is also training to play with the Philharmonic Orchestra. Sara has been an excellent teacher and has taught Lexie more during the summer than she has over the past three years. 

You can see the seriousness on their faces in these pictures. These two had such a great bond as teacher and student. Although they focused on improving Lexie's technique on holding the bow correctly, trilling, and teaching her to play challenging music...they also had fun at the same time. I find that it is important to build a great relationship with your teacher. They would bring laughter into the lesson as well as learning. I really enjoyed watching these two playing together. I hardly ever sat in on the lessons with her first teacher and I regret that. I wish I would have been more involved then, than I am now. I honestly believe that the parent should sit in on the lessons just in case there is something that you feel is not being taught correctly...especially if your daughter aspires to be a great violinist! I am so happy that I made the time to sit in on every lesson, pay attention, and take notes at the same time. You learn as you go from teacher to teacher. I should have read the book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother long ago!

Although Lexie is done with violin lessons for the summer she consistently practices playing her violin, and will resume lessons with Sara's replacement after school starts.

We feel really blessed to have found another great teacher for Lexie. She brought a lot of joy and learning into Lexie's life. But life goes on, and I know Ms. Sara will do well in playing with the orchestra, and furthering her education at NYU! 

Good Luck Sara...we will miss you!