March 10, 2012
Wolfe Jam – Benefit Concert
A good time with good music for a good cause, in memory of Rick Wolfe. Continue reading
Discover Their Stories
Kristen is 16 years old and in the 10th grade. She’s been taking violin lessons at the Joy of Music School since early 2010, not long after she and her family moved to Knoxville from North Carolina. She loves music and the instruction she’s getting from her teacher, Christy Graffeo. One of her favorite pieces is Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
Kristen has four siblings. Three of them are also students at the Joy of Music School.
When she’s done with her schoolwork each day, you’ll often find Kristen reading (fantasy is a favorite genre, though “not anything too weird,” she says), sewing, baking, or playing the violin or piano. She had six years of piano lessons before coming to Knoxville and enjoys improvising at the keyboard.
By now, she’s well aware of the connection between practicing and getting better at an instrument. And she’s determined to get better. Usually she finds about an hour each day to practice the violin, but she’s hoping to rearrange her schedule to allow for more practice time. Her goal: an hour and a half of violin practice daily.
Practice Pays Off
When Kristen comes to the Joy of Music School for her lessons, she finds out the hours she spends at home with the violin are paying off.
Sometimes during practice she thinks she’s making little progress, but time with her instructor validates her improvement. Most importantly, by coming to the Joy of Music School Kristen knows she is learning proper technique.
As you watch Kristen’s video, listen closely for an important message - the need for more volunteer instructors. Kristen signed up about six months before an instructor was available to work with her.
If you are a musician, or someone else with an interest in our program, and you want to add a new, rewarding dimension to your love of music, please call us.
