April 2026 Newsletter

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!


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