10722 Arrow Route, Unit 616
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Yes, we’ve moved, but not far. We hope you like our new space

–Bill and Melanie Alpert

The recital rehearsal is on Friday, June 3, beginning at 4:30 p.m. If you’ve not received a rehearsal time slot, you will receive one at your next lesson.
Violin students: please arrive at 5:00 p.m. The rehearsal will also be held at the recital hall.

IMPORTANT: VOCAL STUDENT SHEET MUSIC INSTRUCTIONS:
Music must be either taped back to back, as in a book, or in non-glare sheet protectors. All music must be in a 3 ring binder.
Remember to bring your music to both the rehearsal and recital.

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SUMMER STUDIO INSTRUCTION SCHEDULE

Voice Lesson Schedule:
No lessons June 6-10. Lessons will resume on Monday, June 13. Summer break: July 11 – August 12. No voice lessons will be taught during this period. Lessons will resume as scheduled on Monday, August 15. Please, if possible, try to schedule any break in your lessons during this period. Students who maintain their scheduled Summer lessons, will receive priority when scheduling lessons in the fall.

Violin Lesson Schedule:
No lessons June 20-24, as I will be attending a Suzuki Teacher’s Institute during this period.
No lessons: July 18-29, our scheduled violin studio summer break. Lessons resume on Tuesday, August 2.

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Everyone have a great summer, and remember to practice!

(Originally performed on May 12-15, 8:00 P.M. – Walt Disney Concert Hall)

Dudamel conducts Mackey and Brahms

On the program: the west coast premiere of a contemporary piece for violin and orchestra by Mackey and the famous Brahms Requiem. It’s a fabulous opportunity to hear and see world class performers performing great masterworks of music. Tune in!

Kudos to Alpert Studio violinist Jessica Chao on her participation in the Redlands Community School of Music and the Arts first annual string competition, recently held at the University of Redlands.

Jessica’s performances of Vivaldi and Dvorak took first place in the Junior Division of the competition. Congratulations to the Chao family for their accomplishment!

A heart round of congratulations to Alpert Studio Students Jessica Chao (violin), Kelly Muller and Kensey Petschow (voice) who each won their respective divisions at the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association Solofest Competition. Accomplished students Lissette Garrido and Miranda Ford also participated in the event. We’re proud of their accomplishments and their dedication to musical art.

The studio wishes to thank the SBCMEA, the event adjudicators and the Cal State University Music Department for sponsoring this worthwhile event. A special thank you to pianist and accompanist Janet Noll for her untiring support of our students. Kudos to all for a job well done!

Kelly Muller Performs

Congratulations to violinist Jessica Chao upon the event of her participation in the Suzuki Music Association of California’s Los Angeles Graduation event at the Colburn School. Jessica, age 10, was honored with the unusual distinction of successfully completing two volumes of Suzuki repertoire in a single year.

Kudos to Jessica for her accomplishments and to the Chao family for their dedication to her success. We expect to see Jessica at more such graduations, along with many of her fellow Alpert Studio Students. Bravo!

Thanks so much for your help. I am a 54 year old male … who in Sept. 2010 began playing the violin in a group strings program at. We have group lessons twice a week. I had decided to begin learning to play the viola also and need to buy a viola, 16.5 I think. There are so many brands including Franz Hoffman, Klaus Mueller, Palatino, Yin-Yin,  etc. I need an inexpensive instrument and was considering the Yin-Yin or Mueller Prelude, or Franz Hoffman. Shar Music has Franz Hoffman, Instrumental and Southwest have the other brands but I can’t find any kind of review of the various brands. Can you help with a resource for reviews or give me some direction in this? –John

Thankfully, today there are more resources than ever to obtain a quality violin or viola on a tight budget. This is especially true since factory made instruments imported from China have dramatically improved in recent years. This article from Strings Magazine tells the story, as directs you to additional resources that you’ll find helpful.

Remember, it’s easy to be fooled by appearances, so if you’re not certain about the craftsmanship of any instrument, be sure to have it checked by a luthier or professional player/teacher who you trust. The cost to remediate a poorly made violin can easily exceed what you paid for it. I’d suggest avoiding private party sellers on e-Bay. Stick with a known dealer with a clearly defined return or trial policy.

To view 4 minute video click here

Parents As Partners Online starts January 17 and runs through February 28.

Informative talks on various parent education and Suzuki education topics will be published each week. Video sessions are 10 to 20 minutes each. Participants can access the site at any time, day or night, to take advantage of these informative, inspiring, and concise presentations. Once published, everything will remain online until the end on February 28.

We aim to nurture the parent side of the Suzuki triangle on such invaluable subjects as:

• Practice: building a strong parent-child relationship; managing frustration; strategies for creating a successful practice
• Repetition and Review: the whys and hows
• Balancing Busy Schedules
• Reflections and advice on the Suzuki Journey
• Managing the Teenager Years: The Road to Independence
• The Changing Role of the Parent
• The Importance of Listening
• Childhood Memories of Dr. Suzuki
• Institute Experiences: What it’s all about
• What Current Publications are saying about “Talent”

Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive emails with schedule details and other information when available. Online discussions, video presentations, and special “events” are just a few of the opportunities to expect.

For more information contact Bill Alpert: bill at thealpertstudio.com

I played the opening notes of two separate end of Suzuki Book 1 songs that Zach has yet to study. He was able to pick out the remaining notes of both songs without any assistance. He had absorbed them simply by listening.

Need to learn a new piece? Start by listening, listening, listening. Listening works in amazing ways.

At least two Alpert Studio students will be attending a summer Suzuki institute this summer. Here are some tips to assist your institute experiences.

Tips for the home teacher:

Explain to the student and parent that the purpose of a master class is not to learn new pieces.

Define and help student prepare a polished piece to play for the private lesson/master class. Often a good guideline is a piece four pieces behind the one on which they are currently working. The home teacher should designate this piece before the student leaves for the institute, and the piece must be in the Suzuki repertoire (even for advanced students).

Students should be expected to practice daily for the master class (and other classes, as well) during the Institute. Parents should take careful notes. The home teacher should be given a copy of the notes after the institute for their own reference.

The student may be asked to do something differently at the Institute—this is a good thing!

Make sure the students arrive with proper equipment:

CD and player or iPod to listen to their piece. Suzuki Books.
Piano Accompaniment, especially for any additional piece outside of the Suzuki repertoire. Metronome and Tuner. Rosin. A properly prepared instrument. Put on new strings, consider getting the bow rehaired before the institute. Check over your equipment!

Let students know beforehand whether they are ready for a new instrument or not. Often, vendors will attract students to upgrades that they are not quite ready for.

Let them know whether to accept instrument setup advice from the institute teacher.

Give the student questions to ask the institute teacher, when appropriate, concerning ongoing issues (such as posture, vibrato, set-up, etc).

Be content with ensemble placements. Remember that this is not the most important part of the Institute, and the chamber repertoire will require additional practice time.
Create an institute checklist to ensure that you have everything you need for a productive and fun week!