Tuesday, November 26, 2013

MQVC and why You should take a lesson with Me!

Life in Austin has been quite an adventure so far. I started a band a while ago, for which I have been writing music. I don't know much about composing, but I'm having fun and the very talented musicians in my band know how to rock out! It's been awesome. We've only had a few rehearsals so far and are building up our rep list so that we can take some gigs downtown. When I get a recording I'll be sure to upload to YouTube and share. And yes, I am playing bassoon in this band. :)
My bassoon students have been doing really well and it has been exceedingly gratifying to see them improve and grow to love the bassoon in new ways. One of the parents wrote to me one day a very kind letter of encouragement which I asked if I could post, provided that the names were changed. She agreed. Here is her letter:

"Katie,

I wanted to thank you for your kind encouragement today.  I am, of course, the proud mother, but I see Natasha as a wonderful mixture of courageous and, sometimes, timid teenager.  It took courage to show you “her” music and you couldn’t have been any nicer!! Thank you for your perfect blend of encouragement and constructive corrections.  I think Natasha is responding beautifully to your instruction. I look forward to her lessons and her subsequent practices. They are sounding SO much better!! 

With great appreciation,
Lily"

And in other news, I made semifinals (click to see my bio!) at an international bassoon competition called the Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition and Symposium. It's open to anyone to attend and happening January 18-24th at Round Top, which is in Texas. It's a really big bassoon event, and it is incidentally the venue through which I first met my teacher Ms. Jensen back in 2010. I'm really excited to have the chance of performing for so many people. The event lasts for several days during which the semi and final rounds occur for the competition, but also many master classes from distinguished bassoon professors and other performances from acclaimed bassoon professionals. It's all bassoon all the time! There of course will also be people there trying to sell bassoon stuff, because we all know that when bassoonists geek out, they geek out hard. Which of course is great for people trying to sell stuff to them. hahaha

And finally in other-other news, I got to play in a rap song that will be coming out at part of an album called Bealerious, which should be coming out in late January. Click here for the Soundcloud link! Chris Beale is the mastermind behind the album (hence Bealerious) and when I told him his music would be all the better featuring a bassoon, (winky-face) he gave me the opportunity to feature in a song called "Right on Time." It is a rap song featuring Megz Kelli, a talented rap artist with the band "Magna Carda." So excited for RAP BASSOON!!
Recording in Sewell Studios for "Right on Time" in Bealerious

If you would like to take a lesson from me, please check out my online lesson platform and book your lesson today! The first 30 minute lesson is always free! You can be anywhere in the world to use this lesson platform! I highly recommend!