Carnegie Hall

The main reason Marcus was relocated in May instead of January was this incredible opportunity I (selfishly) wasn't willing to give up.  My students at The Suzuki Music School of Westport (& Orange) had a concert at Carnegie Hall!  I had been looking forward to it for so long that I can't believe it is already over. 

Ticket for the CT Young Artists Concert

I took the train to the concert (as opposed to the big chartered buses coming from Connecticut)

Then we all entered through the stage doors

Our schedule

Students arriving

Tuning

Cellists

Most of the beginning/intermediate cellists (my private students are the three little ones up front)

With two of my younger students

The youngest cellist at the concert!

The group on stage - I'm the cellist facing the kids on the lower left

After the concert, outside Carnegie Hall with my dad

And with Marcus

The kids heading home

My dad, Marcus, and I took the train home by way of frozen yogurt

And Marcus had pretty flowers waiting too

What a fantastic event - so proud of all of the students!

Rehearsal

Before our big Carnegie Hall concert, we had a big Carnegie Hall rehearsal in Westport.  Lots of kids, lots of instruments, lots of music.  

Commuting to Connecticut

A few people have asked about my commute to Connecticut, so I figured I'd take pictures along the way to blog.  The only problem is that it took several weeks because I kept forgetting certain parts of the trip, so the weather in the background is constantly changing.  Oh well, you get the idea.

Here's the overview first:

So first leg... 7 Train

Then I take the Metro North at Grand Central.

Finding my track

And now to my train

A New Haven Line train, which I take to Westport

On the train

Those are the markers that show the conductors where we are all going

The stop before mine :)

Crossing into Westport

Westport

And finally a cab.

Here's the drive from the train station to the school.  I typically get a cab, but I have walked it a few times as well, depending on the time for my first lesson and the weather.

And like two hours later, TA DA!  The Suzuki Music School of Westport!

(They're actually moving to a new building next year.)

Inside the building

The entry way

Looking into the faculty room

And the fish bowl room I typically teach in now

How's that for a virtual tour? :)

Fall Concert in Connecticut

It's been a crazy November with lots of extra trips up to Connecticut.  We've all been going a little nuts trying to stay on top of life.  Let's just say we are really looking forward to our trip out west to have some time to relax, visit family, and recharge.

This time, the boys didn't come with me up to Connecticut.  I rode the train up to Southport for the Fall recital.  The three cello teachers combine and have a big cello recital, so it's fun to get lots more students from all levels.  It still didn't take too long.  I was back on the train in no time at all.  But since the commute takes a good 2+ hours, it made it an all day event.  (The 7 Train wasn't running, so that complicated getting home - plus I had my cello!)

The recital was held at a beautiful church in Southport.  It's where the fall recital was last year - Trinity Episcopal.

Looking out the window 

We didn't fill up all the rows, but the sound there is still great

Of course, everyone shows up with just barely enough time to get tuned and lined up.  I believe we had twenty performances.  (A few violinists did play too.)

All in line :)

After, there was a small reception with treats.  And I was given flowers from one of the parents.  It's a beautiful, fancy bouquet, and it just keeps looking better every day.

Waiting for the train

Attempting to take a selfie as I stood all the way home!  Full train :(

Better shot of the bouquet

It was fun to go up for the concert, but it was a lot of traveling for a 75 minute concert...  Good thing I love teaching :)