University of New Mexico Why UNM String Lab School? String Lab School Performances In the UNM String Lab School, students are offered opportunities to Semester sharing concerts in learn and grow from professional Suzuki educators and college interns. showcase the knowledge and String Lab School Tuition for the String Lab School is an incredible value—similar skills students have gained. programs in other cities cost three to four times as much. In addition, Additional fun recitals are Working in collaboration with the UNM String Pedagogy waivers and partial waivers are available to families in need. String Lab scheduled throughout the program to support the development of discipline, enthusiasm school students and families learn, have fun, and become part of the year—costumes, crazy hats for learning, and an appreciation for music as an integral Albuquerque music community in a supportive environment. New and themed concerts increase part of education and culture. parents take a year-long course designed especially for their needs in student participation in and guiding home practice and managing schedules, and helping to create enjoyment of concerts. interest and enthusiasm in their children. Just for Parents is a regular series of events that continue parental support and inspiration. Saturday noon recitals are an opportunity for students to perform before a small audiences in a group or alone with a professional accompanist. Crazy hat concert with the These recitals are safe spaces for students to perform in a friendly, non- UNM String Lab School competitive environment. Regular performances help develop self-confidence, poise, concentration and cooperative skills. Many of these recitals are in Keller Teaching music is not my main purpose. Hall in the UNM Fine Arts I want to make good citizens. Center, giving students If children hear fine music access to performance in a from the day of their birth and professional space. learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline and endurance. They get a beautiful heart. Structure —Shinichi Suzuki The UNM String Lab School offers a unique learning experience— one that develops the musical abilities of each child. Children are Levels of Instruction taught by String Pedagogy college students (interns), who work under the supervision of professional music educators Children begin classes as early as age 3 with an (coordinators). Children in violin, viola, cello instrumental prep class. Graduated classes in and bass participate in weekly repertoire violin, viola, cello and bass begin with beginning groups, weekly private lessons and reading classes to introduce students to instruments classes. Enrichment and the Suzuki method. Violin students learn classes such as basic techniques on a box before instrucion fiddling, ensemble, on a violin begins. Concurrent with the music inventions, beginning class, parents are enrolled in a improvisation and parent education course to prepare for the Mad About Music parent-teacher-student triangle of Suzuki are also available. music instruction. Musical literacy begins The UNM String with Music Mind Games in early Suzuki Lab School has two book 1 and contintues with introductory 13-session semesters. reading in late book 1. Why Suzuki? Quality of Instruction Musical Success The Suzuki Method embraces the The coordinators at the UNM String Lab School are professional music Children who have come through the UNM String Lab School have philosophy “every child can learn.” The educators. Here is a quick look at the qualifications of our lead group: participated in Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program; performed method is carefully designed for step-by- in the New Mexico All-State Music Festival; have won concerto Susan Kempter is a Senior Lecturer in Music, SAA step mastery, with children progressing at Teacher Trainer, Program Director of UNM String competitions; have attended Suzuki institutes; have won opportunities their own pace. Listening, repetition and Pedagogy and UNM String Lab School. Susan holds to attend prestigious summer festivals such as Tanglewood, Sewanee and encouragement are cornerstones of the Bachelors and Masters degrees from UNM. She also Kinhaven; and have gone on to perform with professional symphonies Suzuki method. After an introductory course, attended DePaul University and the University of around the world. parents serve as home teachers, which gives Utah. She has spoken at numerous conferences, trained many aspiring The advanced touring parents practical guidance in their children’s teachers, and given clinics throughout the United States, and in Canada group, Mad About musical education. Research suggests that and Mexico. She has received national and state awards, and written Music, has travelled learning to play an instrument at an early several books and articles. Her work in String Pedagogy at the University to Alaska, Arizona, age affects brain structure associated with of New Mexico has produced a unique educational experience for California, Hawaii, motor and auditory improvements, and an increased ability to adapt. UNM students and the local families they serve. Idaho, Washington The Suzuki method nurtures these traits and the strengthens the bond Laurie Lopez grew up in Albuquerque and was one D.C., Maryland, between parent and child. of the first students to receive a Bachelor of Music in Florida, Texas, Mexico String Pedagogy at UNM. Laurie is currently the UNM and Ireland. Many lab Lab School Program Coordinator and is the director of school students have Special Interest and Advanced Groups Mad About Music. She also maintains a private violin returned as college studio and has played professionally throughout New Mexico with the students to formally Fiddling is available for students in Suzuki books 1 and above. NM Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, San Juan Symphony, Musical study String Pedagogy Music Inventions is a beginning improvisation class offered to Theatre Southwest and Landmark Musicals. at UNM. June 2016—Mad About Music in St. Mary’s Church, Killarney, Ireland students in Suzuki books 3 and above. Lisa Collins is a cellist from Albuquerque, New Chamber Music gives students Mexico. She teaches a wonderful studio of enthusiastic the opportunity to rehearse young cellists. She also teaches cello pedagogy and For more information and perform in small groups. music theory at the University of New Mexico. She Chamber music is offered for is the coordinator of cello in the UNM String Lab Questions about the UNM String Lab School or Mad about Music can students in Suzuki books 2 and School, leading a thriving community of cellists and college interns. be directed to Laurie Lopez or Susan Kempter. above. Lisa is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the American String Teachers Association, and completed her certification with Tanya Carey. She is also an active performer, a member of the New (505) 277-1878 Mad About Music is the advanced Mexico Philharmonic and the Santa Fe Symphony, and she performs repertoire class and touring group often with various ensembles in and around Albuquerque. Laurie Lopez: [email protected] of the UNM String Lab School, for Susan Kempter: [email protected] students studying beyond book 4. Frank Murry has taught in several Suzuki strings Auditions are not required. Students programs, including the University of Houston’s music.unm.edu/community/lab-school/ attend rehearsals to learn the required Preparatory Studies Program, Suzuki Academy Spring/ skills and repertoire. Advancement Klein, and Garden Villas Music Academy. He was on instagram.com/unmstringlabschool/ to performance and tour occurs as pieces become polished. the faculty of Texas Southern University and Houston Community College. Frank is currently a bass coach for Albuquerque facebook.com/unmstringlabschool/ Elements of Improvisation is for more advanced high school and Youth Symphony Program and is excited to start a double bass program college students who learn elements of free, folk and jazz improvisation. at the UNM Lab School. A member of New Mexico Philharmonic and This class is taught by Muni Kulasinghe, violinist in Le Chat Lunatique, Santa Fe Symphony, Frank also enjoys playing jazz as well as playing a local gypsy jazz band. chamber music with Chatter and Serenata of Santa Fe.