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August 2026 NewsletterAnnouncements
Quick version: Fall private lesson schedule starts Monday, August 24. (for Mrs. Ferrin) it begins August 18 for Mrs. Clawson Ferrin students: Please fill out the request form by Friday, August 7, so I can get the schedule sorted as soon as possible. August 11- 4 p.m., Whisper Cove in Kaysville. Red T-shirt. August 21 - Folk and Family, Gailey Park, 7 p.m. Red T-shirt, bring dessert. September 1- Group Class begins. Ages 4-7 at 4:30, Ages 8+ at 5:15 October 20 or 27-Recital Dress Rehearsal at a Care Center November 7- Fall Back Recital, Centerville Library, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Long version: I have received completed fall schedule request forms from the following families: Barker, Messier, Nybo, Kleeberger, Cox, Feinauer, Jeffcott. Everyone else please respond on this Google Form as soon as possible. It's ok if you don't know everything about your schedule yet, just answer the questions to the best of your ability with the information you have now. Group Class this year will be divided by age. Ages 4-8 will meet Tuesdays, 4:30-5:15; ages 9-11 and ages 12+ will meet Tuesdays, 5:15-6. As students get older and more involved, I know it gets harder and harder to make it to group class. Group music experiences are an important part of a complete musical education. Especially if group class won't work in your schedule, I highly recommend participating in your school orchestra or another group. My kids have really enjoyed Kaysville Chamber Strings. Go here for more information. Check the website: smithcreekviolin.com for dates, group times, and more! The password is suzukitwinkle If you are not feeling well or need an online lesson, we will use Google Meet in August. This option is also available on bad weather days if you are unable to drive. More Important Dates here Practice Tip It is tough for my 5 year old to stay focused in practice, so he gets lots of breaks. We like to play a card or board game interspersed with our practice: after every song he plays, he gets one turn. Last week, I told him he could have two turns (I still just got one) if he played his least favorite song. Wow, he played it so many times! Every time he started playing that song I said, "Oh no! Now you're going to win!" but really, I felt like I was winning because I wasn't doing any begging. It felt like magic. Listening Suggestion I love watching a string quartet together. There's no conductor, so they have to watch each other to know when to start, as well as the tempo, dynamics, and mood. There's a lot of communication happening, all entirely nonverbal. A lot of people are surprised by how much quartet players move when they perform. It's all part of the communication. Watch the Takács Quartet here.
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June 2026 NewsletterAnnouncements
Quick version: Request Fall lesson time. with Mrs. Clawson Sign ups with Mrs. Ferrin are coming soon. June 9, 6 p.m., Country Care Assisted Living in Farmington July 7, 6:30 p.m., Fairfield Village in Layton August 11, 4 p.m., Whisper Cove in Kaysville July 30- New deadline to register for the Celebration concert August 17-20 School Lesson Schedule begins August 21 - Folk and Family, Gailey Park, 7 p.m. October 10- Celebration Concert Long version: Our first stop on the Fiddle tour is on Tuesday, June 9, 6 p.m., at Country Care. They usually let me know last minute which house they want us at, but I"ll share as soon as I know. Remember to wear a plain red t-shirt! If you need some free entertainment, Chamber Orchestra Ogden has a free Pops concert on June 27, in the Ogden Amphitheater at 7:30 p.m. I'll be hiding back in the 2nd violin section! Check the website: smithcreekviolin.com for dates, group times, and more! The password is suzukitwinkle If you are not feeling well or need an online lesson, we will use this link in June. This option is also available on bad weather days if you are unable to drive. More Important Dates here May 2026 NewsletterAnnouncements
Quick version: May 1- Graduation rehearsal, detailed schedule below Summer lesson signups- If the days/times don't work for you, please let me know. May 4- Suzuki Graduation, Ogden Tabernacle, arrive 6:30 p.m., starts 7 p.m. Fiddle Tour- Wear a plain red shirt! June 9, 6 p.m., Country Care Assisted Living in Farmington July 7, 6:30 p.m., Fairfield Village in Layton August 11, 4 p.m., Whisper Cove in Kaysville July 30- New deadline to register for the Celebration concert August 17-20 School Lesson Schedule begins August 21 - Folk and Family, Gailey Park, 7 p.m. October 10- Celebration Concert Long version: If you have missed any lessons this semester, please sign up for at least one makeup lesson! Use the same spreadsheet to sign up for summer lessons. Sign up for at least 6 lessons, but there are 11 weeks offered, so sign up for as many as you'd like! If you have submitted a graduation video, you are good to come to the Graduation Concert. Some of the comments have been slow to come through, but every one of my students passed. The rehearsal is on May 1 at 1955 S. 350 E., Kaysville, Utah. Parents must stay with their student. Twinkles 3:10 3:25 10 Gossec 3:25 3:35 10 Boccherini 3:35 3:45 10 Bach Bouree 3:45 3:55 15 Vivaldi a 3:55 4:10 15 Vivaldi g 4:10 4:25 15 LaFolia 4:25 4:40 20 The Concert is on Monday, May 4, at the Ogden Tabernacle. Arrive at 6:30, performance begins at 7. The Suzuki Association of Utah will be holding Celebration XI on October 24 (possibly October 11). Celebration concerts are incredible events held approximately every five years. They are big productions featuring multiple instruments (not just violin!). Registration closes by the end of the month. Sign up here. (Scroll to the bottom of the webpage.) Check the website: smithcreekviolin.com for dates, group times, and more! The password is suzukitwinkle If you are not feeling well or need an online lesson, we will use this link in May. This option is also available on bad weather days if you are unable to drive. More Important Dates here Practice/Performance Tips I loved this quick video from famous classical violinist, Hilary Hahn. She shares a lot of great wisdom, but I particularly love this thought. "The negative pressure to constantly improve technique and seek perfection is only helpful in short bursts towards specific goals. And then you need to open your mind up and just be nice to yourself." When learning a difficult skill, it is easy to constantly see where you are falling short. This kind of focus can be helpful when not overused. You need to practice small spots with intense focus on one improvement, but that's just one small part of practice and playing an instrument. Make sure you practice play-throughs and performances with the joy of music in mind. Work hard and have fun. This advice might also apply to larger time scales. When preparing for a recital, we might be especially picky about technique and polish, practicing longer and more intensely than usual. But you shouldn't try to sustain that constantly. Keep practicing during the busy month of May and through the summer, but make sure you take breaks! Listening Suggestion In honor of springtime and bird song, listen to the incredible Lark Ascending for solo violin and orchestra. April 2026 NewsletterAnnouncements
Quick version: April 11- Graduation videos due May 1- Graduation rehearsal, detailed schedule below May 1- Summer lesson signups sent out. I'm currently thinking I will teach Wednesdays and Thursdays in the summer. Let me know if this doesn't work, and I can adjust. May 4- Suzuki Graduation, Ogden Tabernacle, arrive 6:30 p.m., starts 7 p.m. June 9, July 14, August - Fiddle Tour, 6 p.m., Assisted Living location TBD July 30- New deadline to register for the Celebration concert August 21 - Folk and Family, Gailey Park, 7 p.m. Long version: If your student has completed a book in the past year, start preparing for the Graduation Concert on May 4. Even if you can't attend the concert, you can still turn in a video (due April 11) and receive your certificate. More information and the application are available here. Please check your video with me before submitting the application. The rehearsal is on May 1 at 1955 S. 350 E., Kaysville, Utah. Parents must stay with their student. Twinkles 3:10 3:25 10 Gossec 3:25 3:35 10 Boccherini 3:35 3:45 10 Bach Bouree 3:45 3:55 15 Vivaldi a 3:55 4:10 15 Vivaldi g 4:10 4:25 15 LaFolia 4:25 4:40 20 Be inspired by legendary violinist, Midori, by watching her give a master class on Friday, 4:30-6:30 at the Gifted Music School. More information here. The Suzuki Association of Utah will be holding Celebration XI on October 24 (possibly October 11). Celebration concerts are incredible events held approximately every five years. They are big productions featuring multiple instruments (not just violin!). Registration closes by the end of the month. Sign up here. (Scroll to the bottom of the webpage.) Summer violin camps can be a huge boost in motivation. My kids have enjoyed the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute and the Kaysville Chamber Strings Summer Music Festival. I've updated the 2025-2026 event schedule here. Please let me know if you have any questions. Check the website: smithcreekviolin.com for dates, group times, and more! The password is suzukitwinkle If you are not feeling well or need an online lesson, we will use this link in March. This option is also available on bad weather days if you are unable to drive. More Important Dates here Practice/Performance Tips Changing habits of technique is extremely difficult. In a recent episode of the Bulletproof Musician podcast, Dr. Noa Kageyama interviews Paul Baxter, a cognitive psychologist, about his new method for changing bad performance habits. Moving beyond a classical conditioning model, where students are often anxious to get the right reward or avoid a "punishment," his Old Way-New Method focuses on reflection guided by an expert. The student and the coach/expert/teacher together ask 1- What is the person doing "wrong"? 2- What should they be doing instead? 3- What are the key differences between the two? The traditional logic holds that you should never ever practice something the wrong way in case it becomes a habit. This attitude can be very stressful! In the Old Way-New Way Method, you sometimes practice something wrong on purpose to reflect on how it feels compared to the correct way. Listening Suggestion I've shared this before, but this performance has been on my mind with the recent Artemis launch. In September 2024, Sarah Gillis, a former Suzuki violin student and SpaceX astronaut, recorded "Harmony of Resilience (Rey's Theme)" by John Williams from space! -- March 2026 NewsletterAnnouncements
Quick version: March 9,10- No private lessons, day off school March 10- Dress rehearsal, 6 p.m., Whisper Cove, Nice dress March 14- 3:15 and 4:15 Spring Recital, Farmington Library, sign up here March 21 - Utah Federation of Music Clubs Festival; bring original copy of music and judging sheets March 30- Deadline to register for the Celebration concert April 11- Graduation videos due May 1- Graduation rehearsal, detailed schedule below May 4- Suzuki Graduation, Ogden Tabernacle, arrive 6:30 p.m., starts 7 p.m. August 21 - Folk and Family, Gailey Park, 7 p.m. Long version: Our dress rehearsal is Tuesday at Whisper Cove, 6-7 p.m. Please arrive ten minutes early to tune. Seating is somewhat limited, but parents are welcome to stay and applaud. Please dress a little nicer than your normal school clothes- whatever that means to you. This is a good time to test your planned recital outfit- is it trickier for you to play with puffed sleeves or a necktie? Remember to keep jewelry to a minimum and nails short. You can quietly leave after you play during the rehearsal due to limited space. You are expected to attend the entire recital on Saturday to support your fellow students. Students in Book 3+ should schedule a private rehearsal with Stephanie Stuart (801) 885-9117. Preparation is power! Recital is on Saturday! Here's the first draft of the recital program. Please check for name spelling and accuracy of recital pieces. The order is subject to change. If you didn't sign up for a time, I randomly assigned you to one or the other. If your student has completed a book in the past year, start preparing for the Graduation Concert on May 4. Even if you can't attend the concert, you can still turn in a video (due April 11) and receive your certificate. More information and the application are available here. Please check your video with me before submitting the application. The rehearsal is on May 1 at 1955 S. 350 E., Kaysville, Utah. Parents must stay with their student. Twinkles 3:10 3:25 10 Gossec 3:25 3:35 10 Boccherini 3:35 3:45 10 Bach Bouree 3:45 3:55 15 Vivaldi a 3:55 4:10 15 Vivaldi g 4:10 4:25 15 LaFolia 4:25 4:40 20 The Suzuki Association of Utah will be holding Celebration XI in October 24 (possibly October 11.) Celebration concerts are incredible events held approximately every five years. They are big productions featuring multiple instruments (not just violin!). Registration closes by the end of the month. Sign up here. (Scroll to the bottom of the webpage.) Summer violin camps can be a huge boost in motivation. My kids have enjoyed the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute and the Kaysville Chamber Strings Summer Music Festival. I've updated the 2025-2026 event schedule here. Please let me know if you have any questions. Check the website: smithcreekviolin.com for dates, group times, and more! The password is suzukitwinkle If you are not feeling well or need an online lesson, we will use this link in March. This option is also available on bad weather days if you are unable to drive. More Important Dates here Practice/Performance Tips Last Saturday, I judged a violin Federation festival for the SLC chapter. Often, there's a lot of silence and nervousness before and after a session. During one hour, I heard parents warmly greet each other and the other students, clap with feeling after each performance, and compliment the students at the very end. I was not surprised that these students played with the most confidence. When I was a young violin student, I found one of my fellow students' parents terrifying. This parent frowned at me in every recital and brought up my common pitfalls (speeding, losing focus) multiple times right before a performance or competition. It is surprising how much someone who is not your parent can make a difference. I am so grateful that every parent I observe at our studio recitals is warm and welcoming to every student. In the Suzuki philosophy, we often talk about the concept of the Suzuki triangle- parent, teacher, and student. When I was at the SAA Conference last week, one teacher talked about the Suzuki Blob, in which more adults are added to strengthen support for each student. I think we can (and do) have that concept in Smith Creek Strings. We can't do it alone. Cheer for all the students. Compliment them. Build up their confidence. Listening Suggestion This last weekend, I performed in a production of The Lamb of God by Rob Gardner. If you celebrate Easter, this beautiful music may make a good addition to your upcoming celebrations. -- February 2026 NewsletterAnnouncements
Quick version: February 16- No Private Lessons, President's Day February 26- No Private Lessons, Mrs. Clawson and Mrs. Ferrin presenting at the Suzuki Association of the Americas conference in San Francisco March 9- No lessons, day off school March 10- Dress rehearsal, 6 p.m., Whisper Cove March 14- 3:15 and 4:15 Spring Recital, Farmington Library, sign up here March 21 - Utah Federation of Music Clubs Festival; let me know if I haven't sent your time assignment April 11- Graduation videos due May 4- Suzuki Graduation, Ogden Tabernacle, 6 or 7 p.m.? Long version: Federation Festival and the recital are quickly approaching! We will do lots of practice performances at group class to help your student feel prepared. At home, make sure that you are practicing with the accompaniment track. It can feel very different to go from always playing alone, to hearing the piano with you! Students in Book 3+ should schedule a private rehearsal with Stephanie Stuart (801) 885-9117. Preparation is power! If your student has completed a book in the past year, be preparing for Graduation Concert on May 4. Even if you can't attend the concert, you can still turn in a video (due April 11) and receive your certificate. The Suzuki Association of Utah will be holding Celebration XI in October 24 (possibly October 11.) Celebration concerts are incredible events held approx. every 5 years. They are big productions featuring multiple instruments (not just violin!). They want as many people as possible to pre-register so they can make sure they have a facility big enough. Sign up here. (Scroll to the bottom). Summer violin camps can be a huge boost in motivation. My kids have enjoyed the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute and the Kaysville Chamber Strings Summer Music Festival. I've updated the 2025-2026 event schedule here. Please let me know if you have any questions. Check the website: smithcreekviolin.com for dates, group times, and more! The password is suzukitwinkle If you are not feeling well or need an online lesson, we will use this link in February. This option is also available on bad weather days if you are unable to drive. More Important Dates here Practice Tips Shinichi Suzuki said, "Knowledge is not skill. Knowledge plus ten thousand times is skill." It's not enough to know how to do something, you have to do it over and over to really internalize it and turn it into ability. Listening Suggestion There's music for every emotion; even the rage you feel when you lose a penny. -- January 2026 NewsletterAnnouncements
Quick version: January 5- Lessons Resume January 6- No Group Class, Yes Private lessons January 19- No Private Lessons, sign up for makeup January 20- No Group, Yes Private Lessons January 24- Suzuki of Utah Parent and Teacher convention, register here. January 31- Bountiful Philharmonia Children's Concert, 2 p.m., Viewmont High School February 16- No Private Lessons, President's Day February 26- No Private Lessons, Mrs. Clawson and Mrs. Ferrin presenting at the Suzuki Association of the Americas conference in San Francisco March 9- No lessons, day off school March 10- Dress rehearsal, 6 p.m., location TBA March 14- 3:15 and 4:15 Spring Recital, Farmington Library March 21 - Utah Federation of Music Clubs Festival; please let me know ASAP if you wish to opt out. May 4- Suzuki Graduation, Ogden Tabernacle, 6 or 7 p.m.? Italicized dates are purely optional, just for extra motivation. Long version: I love the energy of a new year and the opportunity to renew goals and intentions for the way I want to live my life. This month in lessons, we will talk about our goals for the year. Be thinking of a piece, technique, and habit you want to work on in violin lessons. There are so many Monday holidays in the first third of the year! I've carefully reviewed the schedule to ensure that our Monday students still receive enough lessons. The schedule allows for 16 private lessons for every student, regardless of the day they attend. Monday students still get their 16 lessons if they sign up for a makeup for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I charge for 15 students/semester and schedule 16 so I can take a sick day as needed. I've updated the 2025-2026 event schedule here. Please let me know if you have any questions. If you need an extra dose of motivation, consider attending the SAU Convention on January 24. There will be classes on making practice with your child more effective and more enjoyable- including one taught by Mrs. Ferrin and me. The Bountiful Philharmonia, a community symphony I play with, presents their annual Children's concert on January 31, 2 p.m., at Viewmont High School. We'll be playing Hedwig's Theme, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and a movement of The Planets by Gustav Holst. There is something particularly magical about attending live performances, especially when there's less pressure to sit quietly! Check the website: smithcreekviolin.com for dates, group times, and more! The password is suzukitwinkle If you are not feeling well or need an online lesson, we will use this link in December. This option is also available on bad weather days if you are unable to drive. More Important Dates here Practice Tips "Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before." -attributed to Jacob Riis There's not a lot of instant success when learning the violin. It is an incredibly difficult skill. You have to learn a great deal of patience in order to practice something 200 times. Whether it's Twinkle or "The Grizzly Bear" in Concerto A minor in book 4 or the cadenza of Mozart Concerto in book 10, you have to practice the same music hundreds of times before it is easy and enjoyable. If you are starting to feel frustrated with a lack of visible progress, remember how much is happening invisibly. As a student, it's hard to know that. As a teacher, I've seen it over and over. A student and their parent who have practiced consistently may start to wonder if they will ever improve. They keep working at it. And one day, small improvement after small improvement, they realize that they're making music now. It's an incredible thing. Keep going. You will get there. Listening Suggestion Listen to The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas. If you haven't already seen the version starring Mickey Mouse in Fantasia, can you imagine a story happening during the music? -- |
AuthorMcKenzie Clawson prepares these helpful resources for our students. Thank you! Archives
August 2026
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