Heart-Strings Talent Education - Letter from the Director February 2023
Hello Music Lovers,
Our Winter term got off to an amazing start with our live performance for the seniors at the beautiful Delmanor Aurora, on January 15, 2023!
Once again, Heart-Strings students are representing the Unionville Music Competition at the Ontario Music Festivals Associan Provincials in May 2023!
We had another fabulous vocal workshop with mezzo-soprano Linda Condy, and learned to sing Elton John's Can You Feel the Love Tonight on February 11, with Valentine's Day and Family Day in mind.
We have been playing Music by Black Composers in recognition of Black History Month (although this music is amazing and we play it throughout the year as well).
We are working with Noa Kageyama's Practice Lab (Juilliard's performance psychology expert).
I have just completed training to add the Wee Violin, World Music Preparatory program to the offerings at Heart-Strings Talent Education.
Plans are also underway to resume in-person lessons in the fall. In the meantime, all lessons are available online and our group programs are super fun for kids and teens!
Sliding scale is available based on financial need so that lessons are accessible for every one!
Peace, love, and joy,
Susan Beth Barak
Heart-Strings Talent Education - Letter from the Director September 2022
As we anticipate the year to come, we reflect on 2021-2022, another fantastic year of fun and growth, at Heart-Strings Talent Education (HSTE). Remaining online for private and group lessons, we had a special in-person event in July: Summer Music Monday Play-in in the Barn, in Zephyr, thanks to the Baker-Mathewson family! J
Kudos to all the Heart-Strings students and families for their tremendous work: the amount of work and school and life events that you have been juggling is incredible. I am overwhelmed with respect for your hard work, dedication, and perseverance. I am so proud, grateful, and honoured to be a trusted part of your journey in music and life, as part of the Suzuki Triangle.
To briefly recap of some of HSTE’s key highlights of 2021-2022:
The great cellist Pable Casals mused that perhaps music can save the world. I believe that music is one of the greatest gifts we give to the planet as well as ourselves and our children and future generations.
People of ALL AGES and ABILITIES are welcome to join the studio! Myriad studies show that music is one of the best things for our brains throughout life. Our technology is destroying the ability to focus and think deeply, and music and other forms of meditation are a powerful way to retain our capabilities. I believe it is also a powerful gift for our hearts and souls.
Parents, I believe this gift of music, which your children can continue throughout their lives, these abilities that nothing can take away from them, and that they in turn can pass on, is one of the greatest inheritances possible – let’s share it all together, now!
Susan Beth Barak info@heart-strings.ca