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  How Playing Music Benefits Your Brain More than Any Other Activity by Maria Popova “Playing music is the brain’s equivalent of a full-body workout.” “Each note rubs the others just right, and the instrument shivers with delight. The feeling is unmistakable, intoxicating,” musician Glenn Kurtz wrote in his sublime meditation on the pleasures of…

Thrilled to announce our first Adult’s Group Session will take place in Leura on Sunday 22nd February at 11:30am. What will be covered in the session: – presenting a solo to the group (optional) – performance techniques – ensemble playing (the skills required to play with others) – physical awareness for violinists – technique (fun activities…

GRAND FINAL RESULTS FOR WHOLE 21 DAYS: Well done to everyone who participated.  There is not one student who hasn’t improved over the last 3 weeks. There are two categories to be awarded: Total days practiced (Consistency)                                      …

It’s truly satisfying, as teachers, to see so many students putting the time into the violin (and cello).  Melanie and I are thrilled to see how the practice sessions have increased both in time and regularity over the 21 days of this competition.  FANTASTIC WORK DONE BY SO MANY OF YOU! HERE ARE THE RESULTS…

For more pics see www.facebook.com/StringsOnFireShow

This was at Crown Casino’s Palladium Ballroom, 800 people.  To see more pics from this event, see  www.facebook.com/StringsOnFireShow  

Leading places for Week 2.  The results are: Position:    Name:               Days of Practice:       Practices greater than 20 mins: 1st Place:    KEELEY              7                              6 (3x30mins, 2×40,…

Melanie and I saw some outstanding progress from students who tried their best to practice well this week. We want to acknowledge this, and to recognise those who are in the leading places for Week 1.  The results are: Position:    Name:               Days of Practice:     Practices greater than 20…

Here’s a link to a playlist of tranquil violin music.  We could do worse than emulating this guy – he was one of my favourite violinists when I was a kid:  Christian Ferras. Violin for an Afternoon Soiree by Rachele Wildmare  (Youtube playlist) For some other, entertaining youtube clips, see https://violinlessonssydney.com/violinarium/  – includes electric violin &…

The real reward of regular practice is how much you improve…. however, let’s have some fun, get some incentive and acknowledgement for practicing! Starts on day of your lesson on week of Mon 20th Oct Whoever practices the most days for 21 days (3 weeks) wins! Minimum of 20 mins each day If there is a…

Be rewarded for practicing every day! Terms: practice every day for the next 14 days (until your lesson on the week of 8th/9th April) if you miss a day, you are out! minimum amount of practice allowed: 2 minutes (on days when something happens to prevent a longer practice – eg. home very late) if…

Angie & Gab introduced me to this site after their last violin lesson: http://www.unusualcreatures.com/ The concept is creating music (with various guest artists) around the idea of various unusual creatures.   This one involves the Kronos Quartet! Here’s the link: http://youtu.be/YPaBnvMDYds  

  Written by: http://www.blitzbooks.com.au blog 9/02/2014 3:24 PM   If your child loves to practice, and never has to be reminded, ordered or bribed to do it, then that is wonderful. However, you are in the VAST MINORITY.  Most children will baulk at practice, and below are the top 10 reasons why. 1. No routine…

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It’s a busy time of year!  Since returning from Boston I’ve performed at some diverse & prestigious events with Strings on Fire.  We opened Rugby League Player’s Association of NSW awards night, and got into character for The Gangsters’ Ball at Sydney’s Metro Theatre.  Also performed with orchestral soundtrack for an exclusive dinner for the…