Marijke Welch

Music School!

September 28, 2010 17:25

Well, school has been in full swing for about 3 weeks now so I found it appropriate to blog about it. I just started Freshman year at Lawrence. It's very exciting, but also somewhat stressful. Adapting to a new studio and just in general having higher standards for myself has been a big change. Also living with a roommate has been a whole new experience in itself. But, since this is a violin (with violas too) website, I will stick to the viola playing.

I came in with a couple of pieces pretty firmly under my belt that I was wanting to work on with my new teacher. Nope! We're only doing one of them right now... Rebecca Clarke's Morpheus. I'm enjoying playing it still, but I'm itching to start some new music, since I was relatively polished with it when I came in 3 weeks ago. This week, we're starting a Telemann Fantasia. I'm pretty excited. I asked my former teacher about them and they sound good. Plus, I really like playing unaccompanied music. You yourself become so much more intimate with the score. It's great.

I've also been doing a LOT of technique exercises also. I can tell I'm getting better although it's incredibly tedious. The things we do for our art. I've already started thinking about next summer even though there is no need. Not sure what I want to do yet although I'm getting involved with our GlobeMed chapter here, so I might end up going to Ecuador (super cool!). We'll see. If not I'll go to music festivals or something. I need to not think about summer, it's like a frozen tundra up here compared to Chicago. I miss Chicago :( But that's ok. We have TWO whole super walmarts here. I know... big deal. :P That's what really gets me up in the morning. (besides sight singing). But that's ok! Because I'm loving music school!

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Creating a New Studio from Scratch: Advice?

September 2, 2010 18:24

I've had a viola/violin studio for the past 3 years with pretty good success. I've had students that are hard-working, sound great, and are fun (and sometimes challenging, but rewarding) to teach. However, the time has come that I'm going away to college and although many of these students have found new teachers, I am wondering how I will find myself new students. I've considered some possibilities, such as teaching at a local music store, having my studio at a church, or trying to find a way to teach through the school. Do any of you have advice on starting a new studio? I'm feeling a bit lost as to where to begin again, as previously I was on several school lists because I was a student at the high school. Before moving, I had to even put students on a wait-list because many wanted a younger teacher... how do I create this demand again?

Any tips from parents, fellow teachers, students, would be greatly appreciated. :D

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