Fall String Festival 2026

We have an exciting festival in store for teachers, parents, and string students from Twinklers to advanced levels. Register now.

Festival Date: Sat., Oct. 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (optional master class lessons start at 9:00 a.m.)

Location: Mt. Ararat MIDDLE School & Orion Performing Arts Center, 66 Republic Ave, Topsham, ME

Registration Deadline: Oct. 11, 2026

Scholarship Application Deadline: Oct. 5, 2026

Follow Maine Suzuki Association on Facebook for updates and announcements.

Guest Violin Instructor

Breana Bauman

In 2014, Breana founded her violin studio in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In June 2026, she moved with her husband and two cats to teach from home in Union, Maine. Her mission is for children to get the best start possible by studying music with an extraordinary performer.

Her studio ranges from Suzuki beginners to the pre-college conservatory level. Breana’s greatest strength is coaching late-Suzuki students (Book 8+) in their transition to advanced violin studies up to the Brahms violin concerto and Bach Ciaconna. Breana joyfully shares her enthusiasm for violin and its history to nurture an intrinsic motivation to practice and play.

Guest Cello Instructor

Alyssa Lawson

Alyssa teaches at the Suzuki School of Newton, the New England Suzuki Institute, and the German International School of Boston.

Alyssa has performed with the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, indie folk band The Morning Architect, the Boston Arabic Music Ensemble, the Aurelia Ensemble, Yoni Avi Battat ensemble, and many chamber ensembles.

She has completed Suzuki teacher training in all ten volumes, primarily with Nancy Hair and David Evenchick. Alyssa holds a master's degree in cello performance from Boston University. She is a Fulbright scholar with a B.A. in Music from Swarthmore College and an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from UCLA.

Offerings

Violin, Viola, & Cello Group Classes for students from beginning to advanced.
Fiddle Classes for students of all abilities led by some of the best fiddle teachers in Maine. Learn fiddle tunes and play for a contradance after lunch. Special fiddling class for beginners and advanced fiddlers.
Contra Dance for the entire family, including beginners.
Sessions on Performance and Audition Skills for all levels of students with guest teacher Breana Bauman. These classes fill a musician's toolbox with valuable techniques like breathing, grounding, visualization, and self-talk management to build lasting confidence. The Audition Skills module simulates real-world pressure—including interruptions and aloof panels—teaching you to separate your personal worth from the evaluation process. In Performance Skills, you will learn to choreograph your performance and add dynamic flair to captivate the audience. Together, these classes provide the mental resilience and stage presence needed to take your advanced playing to the next level.
Parent Class lead by guest teacher Alyssa Lawson with tips and discussion helpful for all parents.
Optional Master Class Lessons. Student shares a 50-minute lesson with other students at a similar level taught by excellent teachers. Each student plays individually for the teacher and also learns by observing other students at a similar level in their same class. Students should have a fairly well-polished piece prepared to play for the teacher. Students in Bk. 1 get 10 min. per student, Bks. 2 & 3 get 15 min, Bks. 4 & up get 20 min. This optional enrichment begins at 9:00 a.m. and is open to students of any level.
Play-In 3:15 p.m. in the Orion Performing Arts Center adjacent to the middle school. This is a casual final performance of music played at group classes and chamber music sessions. Guests welcome to observe.
Parents or Designated Guardian of Students 12 and Younger Should Plan to Attend with them: Students need to move from room to room for each period of the day and need to be supervised.

Scholarships

MSA members are eligible for partial scholarships based on financial need. The application deadline for this is Oct. 5, 2026. Info and application form are at this LINK.

MSA Membership (required for Tuition Discount)

Membership is only $20/year for a family. Become a member or renew your MSA member HERE.

If you joined MSA last year for the Fall String Festival, it's time to renew your annual membership. Festival discounts apply.

If you joined MSA or renewed your membership AFTER the last Fall String Festival, your membership is current. Festival discounts apply.

If you choose not to join MSA, you receive no discounts.

Contact msamusic@gmail.com if you have questions about your membership.

Registration

Deadline: Oct. 11, 2026

Registration Form: Use this LINK to register. Pay online using credit/debit, PayPal, or Venmo.

If you have any questions or problems, contact msamusic@gmail.com.

Fees: $60/student for MSA member families; $90/student for non-members.

Optional master class lessons are $20/student for MSA member families; $25/student for non-members.

All online invoices include a 4.6% processing fee to cover charges from financial institutions. MSA appreciates you covering this fee.

Photos will be taken at the festival and might be used (without names) for publicity.

No refunds

Festival Repertoire

Use this LINK to see repertoire for the group classes and fiddle class. Students should come with Suzuki music well reviewed. Learn as many of the fiddle tunes as you can. However, they will be taught during the fiddle class, including easy parts for less advanced students.

Food

Families should provide all their own food and drinks for the day. There will be a lunch break when you can enjoy a bag lunch, spend some time outdoors, and connect with other families.

Schedule

Here is the basic festival schedule. We hope parents will attend the brief MSA Annual Member meeting at 10:00. This is a chance to connect with other MSA parents and teachers and help build a strong organization for our kids.

Fall String Festival Schedule, Oct. 24, 2026

9:00-9:50 a.m.

Master Class Lessons (Optional for extra fee)

10:00-10:50

Group Classes

Parent Social/Coffee Lounge Open

11:00-12:00

Performance Skills (Bks. 1-4) with guest teacher Breana Bauman

Advanced Fiddling (Bks. 5 and up)

Parent Class with guest teacher Alyssa Lawson

LUNCH

12:45-1:30

Basic Fiddling (Bks. 1-4)

Audition Skills (Bks. 5 and up) with guest teacher Breana Bauman

Parents who are MSA members attend MSA Annual Meeting at this time

1:45-2:35

Contra Dance (all students and parents, learn how to dance)

2:45-3:10

Community-Building Activities for Everyone

3:15-4:00

Play-Down-- ALL STUDENTS on the Orion Performing Arts Center Stage. Parents and audience enjoy. Invite your family and friends.

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