Category Archives: Teaching

Deep Thoughts, Teaching

Time to hustle

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I spent all weekend judging students for a local music festival.  Yesterday it was 8 hours and today was 4. I’m exhausted, and if I never have to write a comment again I’ll be happy. (I had to judge on a scale from 1 to 5 and give good and constructive comments.) It was neat to see so many students play, and I got to see some really great performances. And some not-as-great performances, but every student deserves accolades for putting forth the effort and giving it their best shot.

Then it was time for a run (the weather today is amazing) and then I finished our taxes. A whole day early!  It’s a lot less stressful running when you don’t have a looming half marathon. Weird, right?

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My room for the weekend. I was showing off my purple Toms.IMG_5938

The fatness hates when I’m gone too long and she refused to look at me when I got home last night.

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The weather today was insanely beautiful. I’m glad I was able to get a run in—it’s warm and windy, and just amazing outside. I wish it could stay like this all summer.

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Lunch both days was catered by Panera. I do love their sandwiches, and I’ve discovered a new love: their peanut butter cookies. Actually, that’s not really a new love. I rarely meet a peanut butter cookie I don’t like. I’m so thankful that I don’t have a peanut allergy! One of my friends does and I feel sad for her.

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I think I look funny wearing eye makeup to go run. But what do you do? I figure I’ll wash it off after when I shower. Plus it’s important to look pretty whilst running so more people honk and yell, right? Even though I like to leave a zit showing…evidently…

Things to do tomorrow: run again. Write my Go race recap—I am planning to write about my abject failure as a person and runner, and my lack of goal reaching and training and all of that. I’ve run more this week than in the 8 weeks leading up to the race. What does that tell you about me?

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Fat cat wishes she had been judging the students. She loves to judge.

Our concert Friday went well. It was really well attended and a great end to the season. I am often torn about Chamber Project St Louis, because I play with them quite a bit, and always tell you guys about it, and wish them well, but I am not actually part of the group. It’s occasionally an awkward situation. I do bring a lot to the group, and will likely continue to play with them in the future, but it’s weird sometimes, promoting a group that I’m not actually a member of.

I want people to come see me play with whomever I am performing. I guess that’s what I’m trying to say. And I love performing.

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Oh, and my biggest news, that I have known for awhile but haven’t been allowed to tell. The school I teach at is closing in the beginning of June. I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’ve decided that I’m going totally private for my teaching. I’ll be taking as many students at my house as I can, and that’s a big step for me—I’ve always been afraid if I go completely private that I won’t have enough students, so I always chicken out and take a (lower-paying but more secure) school job.

While it will likely take a year or more before I’m back where I was, I think in the long run it’s the best move, and I’ll have more time AND more money, and more freedom. Freelancing is a tough business, and I’m going to have to hustle a bit more in the upcoming months, but I’ll get to where I want to be.

I’ve enjoyed my work at my current school though and I have some wonderful students. I love the high level of musicality we are encouraged to achieve with our studios, and the level of respect we all have for one another. I’ll miss many aspects of the job.

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But I am looking forward to my new challenges AND already have some wonderful projects and ideas lined up. I spent the other day rehearsing a Brahms Sonata with a wonderful friend and pianist that we are playing at the Ethical Society in June, and on a full recital in the fall. We are also in talks to create a piano trio. In the past weeks I’ve realized I’m tired of playing the victim (it’s a rare role I take on, but I was doing a bit of wallowing in self-pity) and needed to get off my butt and make my life happen for me. That’s where I am right now, and I have tons of ideas!

This blog post took a little turn, honestly, I was just going to complain about being tired, but ended up spilling my guts (ha! not really) about my career. One thing I’m pretty good at is being flexible and constantly recreating myself…so this is just another chance to do the same. And I might have more time to write too 🙂

Random thoughts, Teaching

The Arch

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Yesterday was one of those days—up early, driving all over town. We had rehearsal in Edwardsville for the upcoming Chamber Project St Louis concert.

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I was stuck in a bit of traffic on the bridge from Illinois to Missouri—the arch is always a beacon of light! As much as I make fun of my city, I prefer it to being on the “wrong side of the river.” (no offense to my Illinois readers 😉 )

After rehearsal I had a concert at the First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood for Good Friday. Then it was off to the school for teaching, but first a quick lunch–

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Lunch at Panera, or St Louis Bread Company for those of us here. I have a thing for the broccoli cheddar soup.

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I literally almost fell asleep during some of my teaching. Not good. Probably should have gone to Starbucks for a stronger coffee, but I do like the coffee at Bread Co too.

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I had an hour off due to some students still being on spring break and spent most of the time lying on the floor, looking sad.

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Not sure if I was more or less sad than this creature? (Chris sent me this during the day to make me feel better…at least I wasn’t SO tired!)

After teaching we met up with some friends at Square One Brewery for drinks and dinner.  Then I caught the end of the Duke game at home (woo hoo, elite 8!).

Morning came pretty early—more teaching today.

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I took some coffee with me. I had a good day of teaching, and had time for some practice as well. It’s nice to not be practicing excerpts…

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Still looked pretty tired though! (Oh, hey, look I’m a blogger taking selfies of me looking tired…nobody wants to see that, right..giant eye bags…hair not bad though—who thinks I should go lighter for spring/summer?)

When I got home it was cheesecake making time. Hypothetically it was running time, but it was raining…I could have gone to the gym, but I was exhausted and lame instead. I wasn’t going to run in the rain because I think I’ve been sick enough this year so far. (I know technically the rain wouldn’t make me sick, but I’m just not willing to chance it at this point, seriously, I’ve been sick so much since 2013 started…and being cold and rainy sounded miserable.)

I’ll tell you more about the cheesecake in the future. I haven’t quite finished it yet, but the batter tastes AMAZING. It’s for Easter dinner.

Running, Teaching

Proud Teacher

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Today I slept in then had a rehearsal (for a gig that Chris is playing too, which is fun!) and then hurried off to my students’ recital at the St Louis School of Music.

I’m enjoying playing with the Bach Society.  I forget how much fun sitting in the back with a hilarious stand partner can be.  (A stand partner is someone you share a stand with—string players almost always sit two to a stand and so you share music, and if you are lucky, inside jokes.)  Of course we are working hard and not just goofing off, but it’s been a fun couple of rehearsals.  It doesn’t hurt that I’m also hilarious.

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The older I get the more proud I become of my students.  They get so nervous and yet get up there in front of everyone and show off their hard work.  I was particularly proud of some of my students but of course I love them all the same, right?  😉

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I love the backdrop of the stage.  By the end of the recital it was dark and the trees had twinkly Christmas lights.

Speaking of, how weird is this heat wave?  I think it got up to 70 today—it’s so bizarre to be driving around seeing Christmas lights and decorations while wearing a tank top.  It’s really hard to get into the “Christmas spirit” while sweating on a run.  (Figuratively speaking.  I didn’t exactly run today.  Or yesterday.  I’m going to tomorrow, I swear.  And I imagine I’ll be sweating.  Though technically I sweat when it’s cold too, so that was a pretty lousy analogy, right?)

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(It is Caturday…aerial view of her Royal Fatness.)

Okay, a couple more random thoughts before I leave you to your Saturday night.  Does anybody have a Direct TV DVR?  Ours has been randomly recording stuff and I don’t understand why.  I looked on the “To do list” and none of the shows it’s recording are on there, but yet…then they show up.  It’s very annoying.  We don’t wish to record “Adventure Time” or “The Rachel Maddow Show” and we’re not really sure why the DVR is doing it.  Unless the cat has developed an ability to use the remote?  Weirdest of all is a half watched recorded episode of “Real Sex” …and both of us assumed the other had watched half of it.  I know I did not, and I believe Chris when he said he didn’t…but that doesn’t really leave anybody.  (Are we haunted? Is somebody breaking in to watch and record stuff on our DVR?  Is this is truly a first world problem?)

Oh, and I registered for the Castlewood Cup today.  Figured I wouldn’t have enough to do with marathon training and perhaps an audition in addition to, you know, work…plus I haven’t done enough trail running lately.  (I ran it last year too!) Plan:  do some trail running while training rather than just showing up and trying not to die.  Who else is running?

I’m off to hang out with friends!  Lots going on tonight—wine at my friend’s house and then meeting Chris and another couple at Franco for drinks and appetizers.  Yeah, yeah, rough life 😉

Teaching

I have the style of a 7th grader

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One of my students likes to tease me about my Toms shoes.  Mainly because she doesn’t think I need comfortable shoes because I just sit there during the lessons.  She wishes I would wear my cow shoes more often.  The other day I was telling her about my new Toms which are fuzzy on the inside and she thought that was really ridiculous.  Anyway, I explained to her that I was totally going to wear my cow shoes for her, but I wanted to wear my red jeans, and the cow shoes have pink in them…and then I realized we were both wearing red jeans.  That’s right.  I have the style of a 7th grader.  (I think she’s in 7th grade.  Maybe it’s 8th grade.  Apologies if she or her mother is reading this and I’m wrong!)

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That’s right.  I’m awesome :)  Or at least my students are!

Cat, Teaching

Thoughts on students and my cat’s twin

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You may recall we have moved recently.  I teach out of my house a couple of days, and the younger kids are always most interested in the changes. 

For instance, we are renting a single family home that used to be a duplex—only the thing is, because of some city law, the duplex doors must remain.  So we have two front doors.  The students are FASCINATED by this, and often try to come in and go out a different door each time.

The other day one of my students wanted to wash his hands.  I took him down the hall to the bathroom, and he needed help turning the faucet on (a bit too high for little people).  As he was washing he looks around and then says, "It seems you don’t live here alone."  He seemed really disappointed when I said, "why, yes, I live with my husband."  I’m guessing he was hoping I would say, "why, you are correct, I live here with my five year old son who wants to go play with you rather than learn the violin!  Why don’t you do that for the next 30 minutes?" 

On the way out, this same student looked into our {rather empty as we haven’t yet found a dining room table we like} front room and asked, "Why don’t you have any furniture?"

Funny student stories aren’t limited to my home students though.  My school students are equally entertaining.

The other day at my school one of my students came in and said "You look really pale."

Other students always like to comment on my makeup, or if I have something weird (like a large zit) happening on my face, or if my nose is red.  I also get lots of comments on my shoes or my outfits generally, or on my hands (fingernail biting and worse…"Why does somebody so pretty have such ugly hands?" a small child once queried).  I think what’s most fun about the kids is that they will just ask a question when they think of it rather than worry about the politeness of it—and I do my best to answer.  I imagine if they asked something that was really inappropriate I’d let them know, but usually it’s a perfectly good question:  "Did you know you have a brown stain on your nose?" while drinking coffee for instance…it’s nice that SOMEONE is willing to point these things out!

What is that cat-shaped blob in the corner?

My friend Valentina posted these pictures on my facebook "timeline" last night.  She saw this cat while on vacation in Italy (?).  Isn’t that wild how much like my cat this one looks?  Even down to the soft rounded tummy, lighter colored paw, and sleeping ability. Thanks for sharing the photos, Valentina (hope you don’t mind I blogged them 😉 )!!  I am so delighted by this cat.

Food, Random thoughts, Teaching

How is it Monday already?

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Yes, creative post titles, that’s my forte. 

If you are wanting with bated breath for my 80s race recap, you’ll have to keep waiting.  I don’t have time now to write a good one and do it justice.  I’m planning to do so tonight, but after work I am going for a run and then I have to watch last night’s Mad Men…you’ll get it when you get it.  If you recall, this is what I wore:

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I will tell you about how awful and hot the race was soon though.  And how gross and sweaty a pair of skin tight orange shorts get.

But first: 

Yesterday was another busy day, with fun and work.  You know, the usual.  We started by taking care of a friend’s dog.  Chris loves this dog and wants one like it someday.

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That’s Buck.

Then we met Steve and Melissa for brunch at Vin de Set.  I follow them on facebook and every weekend they post these amazing sounding dishes of what they have for brunch.  It was finally a good day to go, and I’m glad we did.  I always love eating at Vin de Set, because it’s the building we got married in and it brings back all kinds of happy memories.

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Plate number one…you can tell this was a really healthy meal.  Bacon is the centerpiece of any healthy breakfast.

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The view…at night…from Vin de Set.

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The world’s coldest couple, on top of Vin de Set (we took pictures out there.)

Oh, wait, did I hijack this post with wedding photos?  Gosh, how DID that happen? 

Which brings us to my first afternoon activity—our Festival Concert with the St Louis School of Music at the Sheldon Concert Hall.  This is the annual concert for all the kids to perform in groups rather than by themselves, though this year we had a few kids play solos by audition. 

My wedding photographer (and friend) Sarah Crowder‘s daughter takes violin at the school, so Sarah was on hand snapping a million photos.  I had a hard time not just dropping everything I was doing and posing for her, but I reminded myself she wasn’t there to take pictures of ME this time.

She posted this gorgeous picture on facebook though—I’m onstage in the back left, somewhere…

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It was a wonderful experience for the students and they all did a wonderful job!

After that I had to meet for a photo shoot in Forest Park (which ended up being at Tower Grove Park due to a mixup) for a new strolling strings group I’m joining with my friend Elizabeth.  There are three violins and a guitar, and our next step is to put together some demo tracks, and the step after that is: profit!  I’m sure I’ll have some pictures to share—we took pictures at the Music Stand Pavilion and by the Ruins in Tower Grove Park.  It was about to rain the whole time but held off long enough for us to be holding our instruments. 

After all that Chris and I had dinner and then watched "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."  I do love that Daniel Craig.  The movie was very good too, though confusing in parts (and I’ve read the books). 

How was your weekend?  Are you happy it’s Monday?