Music at the end of April

State music festival was on Thursday and my one student, Ethan, played his Haydn concerto and got a “one”.  Here I am with him and his voice teacher, Michael Straw, and his accompanist, Judy Shaw. 

 

 He will have a senior recital in cello and voice sometime this summer so I will continue to teach him a couple more months before he heads off to college.     I don't usually get to teach "advanced" students so it has really been a joy to teach him this past year.

I had my studio recital on Saturday and I forgot to get a group shot.  Here are a couple of photos with individual students, though. 

 This is Erica.  She is becoming "advanced" (she is in Suzuki 5) but she is also a pianist and, when she started with me, her mother made it very clear that piano was her primary instrument so pushing her on cello is not an option.  In spite of this restriction, she is still a very good cellist.

 

 This is Nathan.  And this is a sad photo for me because he is now going to study with another cello teacher.  Someone who is more "impressive" but, in my opinion, in name only.  I have first hand knowledge of how he teaches and it is pretty pathetic.  I will be surprised if he can help Nathan much.   He has just blossomed this past year on his cello - starting to take it seriously.  He has an amazingly mature sound and a very nice cello.  And, now he is leaving.  Sigh. 

 On my way to and from the recital, I got to take care of Sarah’s dogs (yes, plural) since she was in St. Louis all day celebrating her birthday with friends.  Sarah is considering adopting this puppy. 

  shown here visit with Bacon in our back yard.  

 Her name is Lilly and she is a blue heeler / Australian shepherd mix.  One of my piano students, Kiersten, needed a ride to the recital and it was a good thing she was with me because Bones and Lilly were a handful  - just ask Steven who also helped with their care yesterday. 

Steve helped me pit some thawed-out frozen cherries on Friday night while we watched Sherlock so I could make two batches of cherry jam and one batch of cherry jelly (thawed out cherries are REALLY juicy) on Saturday morning.  Mmmm. 

Steve and I enjoyed dinner and wonderful conversation with friends twice this week:  Monday it was with Jean Pry.  Friday it was with the missionaries and Marilou Bellamy (I visit teach her) and her husband, George. 

Steve and I had a fun outing Friday during the day.  We loaded up our bikes in the truck bed and first went to visit teach Jenna Herron up in Hallsville.  Then, we drove down to the Grindstone Wal-Mart for an oil change and while it was being done, we rode our bikes the short distance to Jo-Ann’s fabrics, Hy-Vee, and then lunch at Wendy’s.  The weather was just perfect.   

I substituted in the junior/senior class in seminary this past week.  I loved it.  It also took three hours out of each day – teaching and preparing lessons. 

And, now it is May.