As a music teacher, one of the questions that I get most often from parents is “how early can we start music lessons?” The answer varies hugely from one child to another but without question, the best way to begin down the road of music making is to expose children to live music. As a… Read More Upcoming show at my favorite venue in Iowa City!
Here’s to a year of slow going, of taking time to putter, taking time to breathe, of “walking up the mountain rather than running up the hill” –Debbie Rosas Atticus and I up at the cabin before the polar vortex shoved us inside Nothing entrances like flame After only 11 short years and multiple rejections,… Read More Here’s hoping that 2014 proceeds as it began
Friends and family, I am asking a favor. This event means a lot to me, my music students, my son, and his dance school. Please consider attending, bringing your family, and telling everyone you know about it. You most definitely will not regret it. I’m attaching a note from Tréa Champagne, Director/Instructor at Champagne Academy… Read More 3rd Annual Irish Christmas Ceili
We had a fabulous time at Arts Fest. We play festivals out of town so often in the summer. This was our first year on the main stage in our hometown. The next three photos are by my handsome brother-in-wish Troy Shehan. We were thrilled to partner with the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance at… Read More Arts Fest
We had the best time in St. Louis last weekend for the Tionól. The happy fun times began at Schlafly’s Tap Room. The sessions on Friday night are always so crowded and I’m claustrophobic so our favorite thing to do is to hunker down sans instruments and listen to the incredibly fantastic ceili band. then… Read More St. Louis
My students have amazed me once again with their preparation, courage, and energy. It was an inspiring afternoon of beauty and fun. There were several hushed conversations in advance of the performance about the universal concern that perfection would not be achieved. This is why these kinds of experiences are so valuable. Perfection is never… Read More Photos from the party!
It’s a very musical Saturday ’round these parts! First up, the annual music party at West Music. Next on the agenda, we are going to our favorite local venue Uptown Bill’s to catch the Old-Time rock stars The Fried Egg String Band. I think I count four of my studio parents in this band. Do I have that… Read More West Music and then Fried Egg String Band at Uptown Bill’s
Magical March will not be complete without this coming Saturday’s annual music party by my students in the West Music Recital Hall. I have twenty five students performing who range from age 4 all the way up. One of my students, who studies harp with Malerie Weed, will be also performing on her harp. My… Read More Annual Music Party!
Atticus and I were recently honored to give a presentation on Irish music to our friends at the homeschool assistance program. Here we are singing “The Song of the Seal”. I still have trouble believing that my littlest baby boy is this big and mature. Bittersweet. He still has some baby left in him though.… Read More Bright spots
Atticus had his Irish step dance debut a few weeks ago for a hooley put on by the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance. We were in the ceili band playing for the dance and I was really proud to be joined by a few of my students who really held their own playing for the… Read More Advance and Retire
