Studio Lessons with Ms. Apolonio

Ms. Dana Apolonio

• Email: dapolonio@foothillchristian.org

• FCS Phone: (626) 914-1849 ext. 201

• Office hours by appointment only

• Google Meet Link

  • Please ensure that any noise cancellation or noise reduction settings are disabled on your device’s audio settings and Google Meet’s settings prior to joining Google Meet

  • If joining on a mobile device (phone, tablet), please download the Google Meet app (web browser may not work very well)

Bring the following to your lesson every week:

• Your instrument

• Your music books/sheet music

• All instrument accessories (shoulder rest, rock stop, rosin, etc.)

• Pencil with eraser

• Highlighters (optional)

Refer to the dates/bookmarks in your books for your exact assignment(s) each week.

• Tuner and metronome - just Google "tuner" or "metronome"

• Drones - intonation practice

• musictheory.net - music theory practice

• Music Tutor - note-reading app

• Suzuki Pieces in their Original Forms

The "Pre-Twinkle" portion of our studies is laid out in the first 20 or so pages of the Suzuki Book. We will use a "Pre-Twinkle" sheet that will be taped to the inside of your student's book right before the "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Variations" section. The eventual goal is to perform all 5 variations of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and the theme with accompaniment tracks. Each Pre-Twinkle rhythm should be mastered by playing it 10 times each on the upper two strings of the instrument at quarter note = 60 bpm.

Below are links to videos of each of these rhythms. Please have your students listen to/watch these videos as part of their practice!

• Rhythm A: Mississippi Hot Dog - Violin

• Rhythm B: Ice Cream... Cone - Violin

• Rhythm C: Pop!sicle Pop!sicle - Violin

• Rhythm D: Strawberry Strawberry - Violin

• Rhythm E: Watermelon Watermelon - Violin

Before playing, please help your student check their 1) posture, 2) Left hand shape, 3) Right hand shape (bow hold), and 4) Bow contact point. Always let me know if any questions arise during your student's home practice. Thank you and looking forward to our future lessons!