Photo & Design: Albertine Wang (River Oaks Bookstore, 2 February 2019)
Congratulations to Ananya B. (Clements HS), who has won a concertmaster solo for her Clements HS orchestra performance at Carnegie Hall on Monday, March 11th! We’re thrilled for Ananya and wish her the best for a fabulous performance.
Ananya in 2018 with her Outstanding Musicianship Award from Clements HS
Congratulations to Lauren H. for winning the J.S. Bach Musical Leadership Scholarship (a merit-based award) at Patrick Henry College in Washington, DC! Join us in celebrating Lauren at her upcoming senior recital on Saturday, April 13th.
Lauren H. (blue dress) and the rest of the Sugar Strings in 2018
We’ll see everyone soon at the LHS Winter Showcase Concert at Virtuosi of Houston on Sunday, February 24th at 6:00 pm! We’re thrilled to welcome back pianist Evelyn Lam to collaborate with LHS young musicians. Performances will feature works by Bruch, Walton, Lalo, Schumann, Kabalevsky, and others, and will be followed by a special performance by Ms. Lam. All are invited to join us for a reception following the recital.
LHS Collaborative Pianist & DMA Candidate (Eastman School of Music) Evelyn Lam
Our latest article for @SugarLandMoms is full of tips for attending orchestra concerts with the whole family. Click through to find must-see local performances, too!
We’re thrilled to announce an upcoming collaboration in San Antonio with violinist Matthew Zerweck. It’s a delight to work with Mr. Zerweck, an exceptionally well-respected performer and teacher, to bring principles from Kids Aren’t Lazy: Developing Motivation & Talent Through Music to San Antonio through our upcoming workshop and masterclass! Save the date for Saturday, March 9th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Steinway Piano Gallery. All are welcome to attend this free event. Mobile readers, click through to your browser find the details below.
Violinist Matthew Zerweck
From Mr. Zerweck:
“In San Antonio, one of the greatest challenges I’ve faced as a private teacher is effective parent education and culture building. Until now, there hasn’t been an effective resource for parents seeking the very best for their children.
If we had a giant pre-college program where students took lessons and chamber music classes, or a prestigious non-profit music school, parents would get together and chat more about musical plans for their children, and best practices for motivation and development. I’ve been recommending Lauren’s book highly, because I think it has the potential to help fill that gap in parent education (and it expresses current best-practices, staying far away from the shame-based approach many of us grew up with).
How do we deal with potential failures at recitals and competitions? How can I best support my child in their musical journey? Why am I supporting my child in their musical journey? How can we better plan for the pitfalls of balancing a busy schedule?
These are topics that are important for any serious family investing time and energy into music lessons.”
Lauren Haley Masterclass and Q & A Session
Saturday, March 9th, 2019
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Steinway Piano Gallery
1201 North Loop 1604 West, Suite 107, San Antonio, Texas 78258
Congratulations to LHS Collaborative Pianist Evelyn Lam for being selected as one of six 2016 Music Inspire Africa artists! Evelyn will travel to South Africa from May 23rd – June 13th to perform, present, and teach.
In more Evelyn news, enjoy these pictures from her DMA Collaborative Recital earlier this month at Hatch Recital Hall! Watch this page for information about Evelyn’s upcoming coaching and performance dates in Houston with LHS.
As we approach spring break, finding ways to include musical development in well-deserved vacation time is essential. Here are some tips on how to keep kids learning!
1.) Seek out musical destinations for each trip. Homes of the great composers, legendary conservatories, museums with instrument collections, grand concert halls –there’s fun to be had everywhere! Bonus points for taking pictures and creating a scrapbook of your musical adventures. Ask your teacher for recommendations specific to your travel plans.
You’re never too young to start learning about the great composers! Pictured: The home where Antonín Dvořák spent the summer of 1893.
2.) Set your trip to music. Put a new CD in the car and enjoy. Encourage everyone to sing along to favorite songs and feel the power of symphonies. Return home humming Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty!
3.) Find new inspiration. Whether it’s the New York Philharmonic, a touring production of Wicked, a pianist playing jazz standards in a beautiful restaurant, or a cousin demonstrating their own musical skills, students can take inspiration from any musical event!
4.) Let theory help you get through those long flights! Bring along a Theory Time book and make a pact to surprise your teacher with how much you’ve learned! Parents, if you’re worried about getting stuck mid-flight, bring along the Theory Time Teacher’s Edition and work as a team.
5.) Practice those bow holds when you can’t bring along your violin! Make a Bow Bunny on a pen and have the bunny share in your adventures.
6.) Let a musical story transport you on long car rides. My absolute favorite is the Classical Kids series. Tchaikovsky Discovers America, Beethoven Lives Upstairs, and Mr. Bach Comes to Call…all on the way to your destination! You can find these CDs on Amazon.com and through your local library.
7.) Invite your violin or viola along for the ride! Check airline-specific guidelines on bringing instruments on flights. Be sure to bring a printed copy of the airline policy with you to show the agent working at the gate desk. Board as soon as possible to make room for your instrument in the overhead compartment, and be especially kind to flight attendants who can help your violin have a safe flight.
8.) Remember, grandparents make the best audience anyone can ask for, so encourage your child to prepare a special performance for family and friends on visits!
The music of Antonín Dvořák grew to mean so much to our family that we visited his former home (in Iowa) on two separate occasions!
All opinions are by Lauren Haley and all original content is copyright 2015 Lauren Haley Studios.
LAUREN HALEY STUDIOS 
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