Studio News
Academy of Music Suzuki Violin Program
The highlight of this fall has been the addition of Megan Van Gomple and Gayane Grigoryan to our faculty. Both teachers are in our Ghent location (Trinity Presbyterian Church) and Ms. Grigoryan is also teaching AOM students at Suffolk Center for the Arts. With additional teachers we have expanded our group class offerings. An "Enrichment" class has been added to the line-up of Pre-Twinkle through Book 3+, and a Parent Class called "Teaching Points of Books 1 and 2, or, Why is My Teacher Doing That?" will begin in February 2009.
We will be featured in the Great Bridge Presbyterian Church Candlelight Series on February 22. This year our 25/50 Day Practice Challenge adds a 100 Day Challenge. Graduation and Outreach Recitals continue throughout the year.
Suzuki Cellist Perform in Ferguson Lobby
The Suzuki Cellists of Hampton Roads will perform in the lobby of Ferguson Hall at Christopher Newport University prior to the Virginia Symphony performances with Cello Soloist Zuill Bailey who will be performing the Dvorack Cello Concerto with the orchestra on Friday May 1 and Sunday May 3. Come to the Symphony and hear these marvelous students as well.
Quotes and Notes
On Oct. 28, seventeen advanced STAHR violinists and 6 cellists from the
studio of STAHR cello teacher, Susan Hines, performed together in the lobby
of Ferguson Hall in Newport News prior to the Virginia Symphony "Bolero" Concert.
The violinists were from the studios of STAHR teachers Dannielle Elliott,
Wesi Boyer, Sue Schreck and Christina Morton. They performed the Bach Concerto
for 2 violins (first movement), the Concerto for 2 Celli in G minor by Vivaldi (
first movement) a movement of a Mozart Trio and the Joplin/Chauvin "Heliotrope Bouquet".
The large crowd that gathered in the spacious lobby responded well to the performance.
Jeff Phelps of the Governor's School for the Arts was in attendance and commented,
"your Suzuki group sounded awesome!".
Thanks also to Erin Hines with her assistance with the cellists.
Christina Morton's Violin Studio - Norfolk
Mrs. Morton's studio players will be performing in the lobby of Chrysler Hall on Sunday Dec. 23 prior to the Virginia Symphony's Peanut Butter and Jam Holiday Concert. (2:20-2:50). The group will perform Corelli's "Christmas Cantata", an arrangement of Tchaikovsky's ”Nutcracker March”, some Vivaldi as well as a selection of carols.
Sue Schreck's "Twinklers to Sizzlers" Violin Studio - Chesapeake
Sue Schreck's "Twinklers to Sizzlers" just completed their Winter Concert on Saturday December 1. Their next performance is on Saturday April 12 at First Church Uniting on Indian River Road in Virginia Beach. The program is titled "From Long, Long Ago to a Long Time Ago" with everything from Suzuki selections to fiddle music and "Star Wars" arrangements. Concert time is 6pm.
Susan Hines' Cello Studio - Newport News
Several members of the Tidewater Suzuki Cello Ensemble and their parents
spent a wonderful evening together on Tuesday, Nov. 27. We began the evening
with dinner at Johnny Carino's 
- very good Italian food! Then we proceeded
to the American Theatre in Phoebus to enjoy an evening of Bach Suites performed
by world-renowned cellist, Colin Carr.
There is nothing quite like Bach Unaccompanied Suites on a Goffriller cello with a Torte bow. To finish the concert, Mr. Carr stole a piece from the violin repertoire, the Bach Chaconne. It sounds really lovely on cello and was a wonderful ending to the program. After the concert, Mr. Carr was gracious enough to sign autographs and allow us a group photo with him. Our cello students in the photo are Claire Moerder, Amanda Whitlock, Nathan Via, Daniel Gerlach, Bernard Cecire, Carter Bakkum, Nathan Switzer, Peter Grimes, and Mark Fox. Mr. Carr is right in the center with the big smile.
Academy of Music, Suzuki Program
Spring Concert scheduled for early spring featuring students from the studios of Sarah Ford, Cathy Stevens, Tracy McDonald, Linda Hurwitz and Christina Morton.
Dannielle Elliott's Studio
On January 5th, Brendon Elliott won 1st place against 31 students in the Richmond Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition in Richmond, Virginia. He won a cash prize and will appear as guest soloist with the Richmond Symphony on April 7, 2008. He will perform Saint Saens Introduction and Rondo Cappriciosso.
In December 2007, Brendon was selected by dvd audition as one of 3 finalist for the Symphony of the Mountains National Concerto Competition in Kingsport Tennessee. He was the youngest student to ever be selected for the final round. On January 12, 2008, Brendon performed the entire Symphonie Espagnole by E. Lalo in the competition. His 2 competitors were both 25 years old! Although he did not win in the final round, he had impressed the conductor so much that was invited to return to Tennessee as guest soloist with the orchestra for a family series concert in February 2009!
Brendon Elliott, is a 13 year old violinist who began his violin studies under his mother's instruction at the age of three. At the age of six, he was accepted to his first youth orchestra where he was the youngest member. Brendon currently is in his 3rd consecutive year as concert master of the Peninsula Youth Orchestra (PYO). Brendon made his debut as a soloist when he was 10 years old when he performed a concerto with the Hampton University Orchestra. He won his first concerto competition in 2005 with the PYO and he consequently performed as a soloist with that orchestra in 2005.
In 2006 he was a winner in the York River Symphony Orchestra's Young Artist Concerto Competition (YRSO) as well as the Peninsula Youth Orchestra Concerto competition, and as a result performed a soloist with both orchestras that year. Brendon was selected to perform for violinist Leila Josefowicz in a master class in 2006. In addition to these accomplishments, Brendon has won first place in his age category at the National Level of United States Air Force Talent Competition for three consecutive years. Brendon is the first violinist in his family's ensemble, The Elliott Family String Quartet, and has traveled extensively performing with the ensemble. Brendon now studies violin with Virginia Symphony's Concert Master, Mr. Vahn Armstrong, and he attends Gildersleeve Middle School as an 8th grader.