Music and Much More
My favorite composer of all time is Romantic-Era Frenchman Camille Saint-Saëns. The storytelling nature and emotive quality of his works have always resonated with me.
In my book A Change in Tune, protagonist Victoria finally decides to compete with the Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No. 3 in B Minor (1880).
Today, I’m excited to share with you the LIVE VERSION of my 18-year-old self’s performance of the Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto, accompanied by my high school Youth Symphony!… Read More...
Growing up, I loved reading authors of autobiographical fiction. My favorite, of course, was Louisa May Alcott’s legendary Little Women. She drew from her real life to create memorable, realistic characters that have charmed readers for centuries.
Another that inspired me, Laura Ingalls Wilder, wrote her Little House series based on her own autobiography.… Read More...
I was thrilled to speak with Author/Suzuki teacher Christine Goodner from The Suzuki Triangle Blog/ Time to Practice Podcast!
If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend checking out Christine’s incredible resources for teachers and parents of musicians! I took one of her online courses a year ago, and it was incredible!… Read More...
I was thrilled to have my family on the show to celebrate my new book, along with our amazing host Lindsey P. Brackett! Thanks to all of you who came and participated. I have been blown away by all of your love and support!
For more information about our family music business, check out Uptown Violins!… Read More...
Last weekend, I had the honor of celebrating my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary, and later this month my husband and I will celebrate our 10th anniversary. My youngest sister just got married a couple of months ago. Clearly, love is in the air!
As a surprise gift for my mother, my Grandma, sisters, aunts, and I displayed the beautiful wedding dress Mom and her sisters wore for their weddings, purchased by my Grandfather in Paris 50 years ago.… Read More...
Have you ever wondered what music fiction is? Why would anyone write it? This week, I’m excited to be featured on author Deena Adam’s blog All Things Bookish. Enter her giveaway for a chance to win a FREE paperback copy of my book The Chronicles of Music Majors!
An author herself, Deena seeks out authors whose message is one of hope in spite of formidable circumstances.… Read More...
Hymn: I Know that My Redeemer Lives
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living Head.
He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.… Read More...
Ever since I can remember, my mother would sing “O Holy Night” every year in our family Christmas shows. As a result, it has always been my favorite Christmas carol. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I was honored to direct and produce a music video of this hymn in collaboration with my sister musical group Uptown Violins. … Read More...
“Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat. Please do put a penny in the old man’s hat. If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do, if you haven’t got a ha’penny, God bless you!”
-Traditional Christmas Carol
Fall has always been one of my favorite seasons. With Halloween, my November birthday, Thanksgiving, and my daughter’s birthday, I always have so much to celebrate!… Read More...
This week, I was thrilled to speak with Jerry Pollio from Applause to the Musician about the wonderful profession of being a classical musician. We delved into many of the career opportunities it affords, as well as how to keep it relevant and thriving in our 21st-century society.
I hope you’ll check it out, and please share feedback with more ideas on how to make classical music accessible for listeners today!… Read More...
Music has played a significant role in my life since before I can remember, weaving its melodies into the fabric of my identity. My mother, a violinist and singer by trade, began to teach me violin at the age of two. She taught my four younger sisters to play the instrument at a young age as well.… Read More...
Mother of ten, grandmother, great-grandmother, fellow musician, author, and the person who taught me how to be a writer, this larger-than-life person has inspired so many people over the course of nearly a century. Today, I’m honored to talk with my own Grandmother, Ruth Scheer.
Grandma, how did you begin your writing career?… Read More...
Vicky Weber is a musician and an elementary educator with a love for children’s literature. While she has taught a variety of grade levels, primary level education is where her passion lies. It has long been a dream of hers to teach children through the magic of books and she hopes you love reading her works as much as she loved writing them.… Read More...
I don’t want this music to die. The older people are passing it on to the younger generation so the younger generation can pass it on to the next generation.
-Vy Higginsen
I hope that all of you moms enjoyed Mother’s Day this past weekend. As a mother of two young children myself, I am fascinated by the family life of composers.… Read More...
This week, I was honored to be featured for the Author Spotlight on RB Hayek Productions.
In the interview, I talk about the role of family on my family, as well as the relationship between music and foreign language pedagogy.
Robert Hayek writes:
“Learning how to play an instrument and learning a different language are two of the most difficult concepts to many people.… Read More...
“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” –André Gide
We live in an unusual time when one of our favorite pastimes, travel, isn’t a viable option. We can barely leave our homes, let alone travel abroad. During this time of confinement, I wanted to virtually relive my travel memories.… Read More...
I love my job as a professional violinist. I’ve played violin for as long as I can remember, and I can’t imagine life without it. The music profession is a unique lifestyle, one I often take for granted.
On this site, I want to share the joys and challenges that come with the territory.… Read More...