Amazing Institute

The Intermountain Suzuki String Institute was fantastic this year.  As a teacher I am so inspired to rub shoulders with great teachers from all over the world.  Getting to know them and exchange ideas as we work hard with the wonderful students all week helps me to see how music truly is changing the world---in many states and countries far from our own!  Ramona Stirling, ISSI director continues to realize her vision of bringing many diverse individuals together with enormous collective talent and abilities to enrich our experience in Utah.   I especially enjoyed talking with the teachers from Belgium and Singapore and the families from Argentina.  For the 35th anniversary of ISSI we learned a work written for us by Michael McLean called "ISSI Gettin' Down"  which was performed twice by all 800 students and teachers on the final concert!  Wow!  It started with a soulful hymn melody and developed cool funky themes and jazzy tunes throughout, ending with the beautiful crescendo of the hymn tune.  Really wonderful!
Here are some pictures of me with my classes at Institute.....