I can't believe it...we have ONE group class left in this semester and school year. Join me in Holland for music, games, treats, memories, and laughs. We will review everything you all have learned this year. $5 for this class. I hope you all can make it!

When: Friday, May 19 5-5:30PM
Where: MidTown Center in Holland, MI
Who: Miss Larissa's private violin students

Summer Lessons? Yes...

April is almost here, & that means the Spring Recital is quickly approaching! I am so proud of all of my students and how much they have learned in such a short period of time. This is also why I am excited for the upcoming recital on Monday, April 24th at 6-7PM in Holland at the MidTown Center.

I would like to invite and remind all students that the last Group Class before the recital will be Friday, April 21st from 5-5:30PM. The fee is $5. All ages and levels are welcome. This group class will be different from the preceding, because we will be going over recital etiquette. It will be a great run-through before performance day. Please put this in your calendars and email me with any questions.

3rd to last Group Class of the semester this coming Friday, March 24th! Join Miss Fall & Miss Xiang for a fun time!

I have started the process of recording a few supplemental video lessons for my students to help aid their weekly practice. I think these videos will be useful in reinforcing concepts I teach during each private lesson. It can be hard to remember everything we touch on, so these can be little reminders during your practice times. If you have requests for video lessons please contact me. Below is a sample of a few lessons I recently recorded to give you an idea of what they look like.

Group class open to all ages and levels. Group Class will also include a piano accompanist. Meet her here.

Last evening my students performed in a fantastic recital! As we approach the close of 2016, it was a great way to wrap up the season. Everyone has learned SO much these past few months and it was a joy to watch them showcase all of their knowledge. Performing for the first time for a large audience is a nerve wracking thing to do, and for many of my students, this was their first or second recital. So, I am very proud of their courage and dedication! The more they perform, the more comfortable they will feel.

Thank you also to all of the families and parents who support these children and provide them an opportunity to learn a musical instrument. So thank you for your support, your time, and your dedication. It all brings me so much happiness each week to pour into these kids' lives.

Matthew Heyboer (cello) and I had a great time collaborating on this joint violin/cello recital. We performed Passacaglia by Handel-Halvorssen to close out the recital. It was a lot of fun to pull together this difficult piece together from our repertoire. It has taken us years of practice to be able to perform that piece of music, and we hope it was a source of motivation and encouragement to our students to show them what they can accomplish with hard work.

Again, I am so proud of you all! Thank you and I am excited to continue working with you as the New Year approaches.

Larissa

This Fall I began offering my first violin group classes & what a fun experience they have turned out to be. I am excited to see how they will grow this coming semester as we step into 2017. Group classes are a great way for kids, parents/guardians, and students of all ages to get together in an encouraging environment and use what they have been learning in their private studies in a team setting. Parents can bounce ideas off of other parents, and students can look to others in the class for advice or as a source of motivation.

With so many different ages and skill levels in the room, everyone learns something new at each class, even me! This coming Winter/Spring I am hoping to see more and more of my students participating in these enriching activities.

If not in an orchestra or other music group, these classes allow students to learn the skills of teamwork, listening, and following that are vital parts of being a musician.

Hope to see you at group classes. & Remember the upcoming recital in December!

Larissa