I use my timer for everything…  I use it to steep my tea, I use it when I am reading, I use it when I am practicing the violin, I use it when I nap…  It really is my constant companion! So, why do I use my timer so much?  I use it because it […]

I think that all of us feel stuck at times.  You’ve been working on a piece, and it just doesn’t seem to be getting better even though you have been putting in the time and working on it.  It is so frustrating!   So, what next?  Well, here is what I do and you can try […]

So often people wonder why they are not progressing. I have been thinking about what it is that leads to success, and here are three key items: Patience – I can’t tell you how many times I have had students come to me and say “I am still struggling with ____” after only a week […]

I can’t tell you how many of my students through the years have come to me to ask if their progress is “normal”.  “How far along should I be by now?”  “Should my child already be finished this book?”  Many of my students have also said to me “I should be able to play faster […]

What an interesting time this has been as a self-employed musician!  This COVID-19 pandemic has given me time and space to explore other possibilities, work with a new mentor, and meet up with a new group of musicians!  Sometimes as a self-employed musician, it can feel a bit lonely.  As supportive as friends and family […]

Recently I have been offered some great opportunities including getting to perform as part of Music NB’s “NB at Home” concert series, and the National Arts Centre’s “Canada Performs” series.  These are both great opportunities to reach a larger audience, and are actually paid performances, which is rare in these days of performing online! I […]

Have you ever taken our your violin (or other instrument), started practicing, and realized that you just really aren’t feeling it? I had that feeling just the other day getting ready for Symphony NB rehearsals.  I was waiting for contractors to come to my house to finish up some work, so I was trying to […]

Every time I go into the studio I learn a little more!  Here are some of my insights from this time around: 1. Schedule more time than you need in the studio. Our time in the studio went quite well, but one day the computer at the studio was down and they had to reinstall […]