February 2026 Newsletter

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.


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