News

By Andra Prewett May is here! For us in the South, this means that it’s summertime already! As our students transition to their summer schedules, here are some tips to help keep practices happy and productive. Write down your practice schedule. Many families find it helpful to schedule practice into their calendar, as you would schedule any other activity, such […]
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By Andra Prewett Know a young violinist? Have a cello-playing child in the family? Check out our top gifts for this year! 1. Music by Black Composers: Violin Volume 1 This collection of music by black composers features a variety of styles, from West African to classical. The book also contains interesting composer and performer biographies. The songs are an […]
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by Anca Simon Since Franklin Suzuki Academy (FSA) transitioned to online instruction in March of this year, the instructors have been actively looking for resources to help maintain communication between students and instructors and address the gap left by not being able to meet in person. Collabra is a “remote learning and practice management platform for K-16 music and performing […]
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by Andra Prewett Joseph Bologne (1745-1799), known as Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, was a bit of a rockstar during his time.  Born on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, his father was a plantation owner, and his mother was a slave.  At age seven, he and his father moved to Paris.  There he began fencing lessons and showed promising talent in […]
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Last month, a group of 4 students from the Hartt School Community Division recorded Haydn’s “Bird” Quartet (Op. 33, No. 3). The quartet members recorded their parts individually from home using the BandLab app.  Their coach, Reagan Brasch, combined the parts and set the music to video using bird pictures taken by Dr. Karin Addis, Suzuki teacher from Chicago, and […]
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by Rebekah Wheeler When I moved halfway across the country, I figured I’d be leaving violin behind, since my new high school didn’t offer an orchestra program; and when I was rejected from a youth symphony, I almost decided that violin wasn’t something to pursue in life. However, my mom pushed me and my little sister, Katherine, to try private […]
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by Andra Prewett Tuesday, April 14th marked the 100th day of our practice challenge, which began on Monday, January 6th.  Seven of our 39 private lesson students completed the challenge…our highest participation rate to date!   To celebrate, FSA hosted a virtual “100 Days Party” via Zoom.  I had promised the students a Pizza Party, so it really broke my […]
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For parents and family members looking for gifts for the young string player. When I was a kid, getting music themed gifts was hit or miss. Anything that I could play or use right away to make music was always a big hit. Music-themed accessories that I could wear, such as treble clef earrings or a music note umbrella were […]
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by Katie Sutton             In August my daughter, Sophie, presented her complete Suzuki Book One recital for friends and family at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Nashville. This half-hour concert represented three years of hard work and commitment. For those familiar with the technical aspect of playing the violin, the journey from young beginner to competent student during formative Book One […]
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By Anca Simon “This is our first time at the workshop, and it was wonderful!” exclaimed Michelle Zhu as students were carefully descending from the stage, violin cases snapped closed, and the enthusiastic chatter about another wonderful recital was increasing around us. Others who have attended the annual MTSA Fall Workshop for many years, like the Gadd family who were […]
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