September 2021 - Rae

Meet Rae! One of several adult students at Redbird, Rae has been taking lessons for 3 years. She's successfully completed 2 RCM exams and is currently working in Suzuki book 3. She completed an Adult Music Theory course through the Richmond Symphony School of Music. Rae is a patient and determined learner.

Rae sends a lovely little watercolor on natural paper every month. For the Redbird art project, Rae did two watercolors that were inspired by the Yo-Yo Ma poster hanging up at Redbird, which was designed by Godie Arboleda. Rae likes bird watching with her husband, Leron, going to Integral Yoga, and spending time with family. Rae's latest grandchild was born last week. Meet Rae at performance lab this year, around Redbird, or come see her play on the October 8th recital!

June 2021 - Elizabeth

Elizabeth is graduating! You might remember her from the recent Music in the Park recital, where she played a Piano Guys mash-up - Gabriel's Oboe from the movie "The Mission", who's score was composed by the late Ennio Morricone, together with the classic hymn "How Great Thou Art". Her musicianship shined here, as lots of audience members have commented, and she really wowed some of the younger and less experienced players with those high treble clef notes!

Elizabeth likes classical music as well as traditional hymns, so this was the perfect mash-up for her. At church, she sometimes plays with a cello ensemble. Her brother, Michael, also plays in the church cello choir and has known to duet with his sister. Of all the siblings I've ever taught, these are the first not to give me at least a little bit of side-eye when I propose they play duos. I'm glad that Elizabeth and her brother have been willing to come to lessons all the way from an hour away, and have been able and willing to transition online for the pandemic. Elizabeth recently finished working on Bach's Suite No. 3 in C Major, and has played with the Youth Orchestras of Central Virginia.

While cello is her primary instrument these days, she's been known to play oboe, ukulele and sing. We're so proud of Elizabeth's accomplishments! Elizabeth will attend Liberty University Online toward a degree in teaching English as a second language. In the meantime, we're exploring Elizabeth's favorite historic time period, the Edwardian Era, which means Scott Joplin and Edward Elgar. This summer, you can find her lifeguarding at summer camp.

May 2021 - David

David posed for this photo for me after a recital on May 2nd at the Center at Belvedere. (Sidenote: David, I am so sorry I'm terrible at taking photos.) He performed the Minuets from Lights and Shadows as his first in-person recital in over a year as preparation for his upcoming senior recital on June 5th. David has been a student of mine for 5 years. He's been dedicated to the cello and to CHS orchestra, but it's always been fun for him. Over the years, he's accomplished so much! He's a member of CHS String Ensemble, was accepted into Senior Regional Orchestra, and participated in many chamber music offerings including The Summer Chamber Music Intensives at Immanuel Lutheran as well as the Blue Ridge Chamber Camp. He's looking forward to his Senior Solo with CHS (Faure's Elegie) and to his senior recital at Immanuel Lutheran Church on June 5th. All are welcome, but space is limited, so we will have a live stream on our Facebook page. We are so proud of David and his accomplishments. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to do a senior recital at a time when he's finishing exams, preparing for college and celebrating his many achievements, but senior recitals are very special.

David will attend UVA to study engineering in the fall. He is a Scout, president of the Best All-Around Club of Nerds (known better as BACON - yes, this is a real thing) and is a member of CHS color guard and String Ensemble. David has been known to be down for whatever and to take everything in stride. He's kind, fun, smart, and a heck of a team player, quick to volunteer to help. Maybe that's because of his awesome older brother experience, or just how he was made... Well, cello and David seem to get along really well, and we hope he keeps it close.