Summer Day Camp
Ottawa Suzuki Strings is a music school providing violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice instruction using the Suzuki method. Our experienced faculty have music degrees and are trained in Suzuki pedagogy. Students range from very young “Twinklers” to advanced students in Stellae Boreales.
Ottawa Suzuki Strings is a music school providing violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice instruction using the Suzuki method. Our experienced faculty have music degrees and are trained in Suzuki pedagogy. Students range from very young “Twinklers” to advanced students in Stellae Boreales.
Where: Rideau Park United Church
When: August 10-14, 2020
Programs in violin, viola, cello, guitar
Open to any beginner and Suzuki students ages 4-13.
Learn, Play, Perform
Ottawa Suzuki Strings is a music school providing violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice instruction using the Suzuki method. Our experienced faculty have music degrees and are trained in Suzuki pedagogy. Students range from very young “Twinklers” to advanced students in Stellae Boreales.
Ottawa Suzuki Strings is a music school providing violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice instruction using the Suzuki method. Our experienced faculty have music degrees and are trained in Suzuki pedagogy. Students range from very young “Twinklers” to advanced students in Stellae Boreales.
Ottawa Suzuki Strings is a music school providing violin, viola, cello, guitar and voice instruction using the Suzuki method. Our experienced faculty have music degrees and are trained in Suzuki pedagogy. Students range from very young “Twinklers” to advanced students in Stellae Boreales.
Students get a broad and exciting music experience, and some distinguish themselves competing in local and provincial competitions, and have also had the opportunity to perform in other Canadian cities and overseas.
Students get a broad and exciting music experience, and some distinguish themselves competing in local and provincial competitions, and have also had the opportunity to perform in other Canadian cities and overseas.
Students get a broad and exciting music experience, and some distinguish themselves competing in local and provincial competitions, and have also had the opportunity to perform in other Canadian cities and overseas.
Private Lessons, Group Classes, and Performance Opportunities
Facebook Albums
OSS Students Meet Joshua Bell
7 photos
Fine Tuners at the NAC
19 photos
OSS and OCISO
26 photos
OSS at National Gallery
7 photos
NAC KinderConcert Nov 24
21 photos
OSS Participate in NAC TUNETOWN
20 photos
OSS 2019 Summer Camp
21 photos
Cover Photos
1 photos
New OSS Cello & Violin Teachers
22 photos
Choir & Guitar at the LCRC Camp
12 photos
Timeline Photos
62 photos
OSS Camp Concert
3 photos
Tales and Tunes
2 photos
June Playdown
15 photos
Ottawa Children's Festival Concert
18 photos
Facebook Posts
OSS violin students and advanced students of OSS Artistic Director, Elaine Klimasko, were enthralled with hearing and interacting with world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell who was the guest artist at this past week’s NAC Orchestra’s concerts. What an inspiration for the students that will be a memory cherished forever.
On Sunday February 2, the OSS junior violin performance group, Fine Tuners, performed during the pre-concert activities for the afternoon concerts in the NAC Orchestra KinderConcerts Series. They performed some of their ensemble repertoire and some early Suzuki pieces to demonstrate to the audience the progression from playing Suzuki pieces in group classes in unison while following a teacher to playing in a performance group coached by a teacher in which they play non-Suzuki pieces in 2 and 3 parts, learn to lead themselves and further develop their ensemble playing skills. Many children in the audience were eager to try the little violin after Fine Tuners’ performances. Fine Tuners coach, Sarah Williams, delighted the young children by playing a song on the 1/8 size violin that is a big hit with kids these days: “Let it Go” from the Disney movie “Frozen”.
How exciting for the little ones in the audience.
OSS violin and guitar students along with faculty members partnered with the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization for the festive occasion of the Friends of Family December Holiday Party. Decorating gingerbread cookies was followed by a concert performed by Fine Tuners, Guitar Performance Group and Guitar 2/3 students. The concert culminated with an audience singalong of holiday favorites. An enthusiastic rendition of Jingle Bells/Vive le vent ended the concert. Everyone then gathered in great spirits for a potluck.
Many OSS violin, cello and guitar students, led by OSS faculty members, performed at the National Gallery of Canada December 8 Family Sundays event. Various performances were interspersed with string instrument petting zoos. The performance area was spectacular – the glass rotunda in the cafeteria with magnificent acoustics and a breathtaking view of the Parliament Buildings. All the groups sounded fantastic, drawing in many families to listen and children to try the violin, cello and guitar. OSS is grateful to the Ottawa Community Foundation for its support in making this partnership and performance opportunity possible.
The Fine Tuners junior violin performance ensemble had their first public performance of the year December 2nd at Red Oak Retirement Residence. With the support of Fine Tuners coach Sarah Williams and accompanist Judith Ginsburg, the ensemble gave a marvelous performance and delighted the capacity audience! The audience members were happy to join in the sing-along of seasonal songs. A gentleman at the residence made lovely stars for all the performers. Showing great imagination, the violinists hung the stars from the scrolls of their violins for the performance of a few encores. A note of appreciation was received from a Red Oak resident on behalf of all attending the concert: “What a wonderful concert your young violinists gave us last night. I have heard nothing but good reports about it all day. Thank you again for bringing your young violinists.”
OSS violin and cello students from the early book 1 classes gave a spectacular performance at the NAC during the morning pre-concert activities of the NAC Orchestra November 24 KinderConcert. Led by Jean-Hee Lee - violin, Michael Blais – cello, and accompanied by pianist Judith Ginsburg, the young musicians were so poised, had excellent focus and ensemble, and played with a beautiful sound. The families in the audience were enchanted and inspired by this outstanding performance.
They know what they are doing. Autumns holding of the bow looks great, congratulations Autumn, love from oma.❤️
Look at all that concentration! Bravo students and teachers!
With the support of a grant from the Ottawa Community Foundation, OSS was able to offer workshops to the six Kindergarten classes at Knoxdale Public School over two days. Each class had a workshop with OSS faculty members which began with a presentation featuring violin, cello and guitar. Through short performances and explanations, the children learned about the instruments and were introduced to melody, harmony and rhythm. This was followed by the opportunity for all students to have a hands on experience trying the violin, cello and guitar. All the children in the classes watched and listened with rapt attention and were delighted with the hands on experience of trying the instruments. The Kindergarten teachers were all thrilled with the experience. To quote one teacher: “The OSS teachers put on a wonderful workshop at our school. It was both educational and age appropriate. The Kindergarten children loved listening to the music and learning about different musical concepts. The best part was that it was hands on!! The students got an opportunity to try to play the instruments. What a great experience!”
OSS faculty members hosted a string instrument petting zoo at the NAC during TUNETOWN, the pre-concert activities for the September 21 & 22 NACO Family Adventure Series concerts. Several students from the junior violin performance group, Fine Tuners, along with their parents were terrific helpers. Many children were enthralled with the opportunity to try the instruments and all enjoyed the wonderful NACO concerts.
The 2019 OSS summer camp was a fantastic success! It was a fun and rewarding week where new friendships were made during the many musical activities, drama, arts and crafts, outdoor activities and eating. One young camper loved it so much that he wants to be the first signed up for next year! A parent commented: “My daughter attended the summer camp and came home every afternoon overflowing with exciting stories about the fun of her day. We very impressed with the quality of the program and all the staff and volunteers.” The 2020 OSS summer camp will be August 10-14 at Rideau Park United Church. Save the date!
OSS is pleased to welcome two wonderful teachers to its faculty: Desiree Abbey, cello, and Essie Liu, violin. Desiree and Essie bring a wealth of experience and passion for teaching to OSS. Their marvelous way with children was evident during recent OSS mini concerts and instrument play stations at the Kanata Beaverbrook and Main branches of the Ottawa Public Library. Audiences were treated to a concert by OSS students and teachers followed by the opportunity for children to have a hands-on experience trying violin, cello and guitar under the expert guidance of our teachers. There are still spots available at OSS for violin, cello and guitar. For information on registering, please contact admin@ottawasuzukistrings.ca. Photos and bios of OSS faculty members can be found at ottawasuzukistrings.ca/faculty/
With the support of the Ottawa Community Foundation grant, OSS was able to offer choir and guitar programs at the Lowertown Community Resource Centre’s summer camp for two weeks in July. The children had this wonderful opportunity to learn about singing, playing the guitar, music in general and working together as a team. They worked very hard to prepare for the camp concert. Their performances were wonderful and greatly enjoyed by all who attended.
Faculty Meeting at Elaine Klimasko’s fabulous home today! We ate and ate... oh yes, and worked too!
Friday August 16, 3:00pm,
Rideau Park United Church,
Free admission,
Reception to follow concert.
Come and hear the wonderful results at the Friday OSS camp concert of all the groups at the OSS camp led by the dedicated teachers, counselors, volunteers and staff. The children have been participating in all camp activities with great enthusiasm. What is the OSS camp like? A 6-year-old camper summed it up in one word: “PERFECT”!
With the support of a grant from the Ottawa Community Foundation, OSS has the opportunity to bring music to many in the local community this summer. On July 6, we were thrilled to be part of the Ottawa Public Library’s amazing event “Tales and Tunes: Family Fun Day at the Library” at Ben Franklin Place in Centrepointe. OSS students performed a mini concert which was followed by an instrument play station, giving children in the audience a hands-on experience trying violin, cello and guitar under the expert guidance of OSS teachers. It was a great success!
Stellae Boreales was honoured to perform at the great historical event of the unveiling of the new Canadensis Sun Shelter. Audience members were delighted to hear Stellae Boreales in the beautiful outdoor setting. After delicious strawberry shortcake was served, members of Stellae Boreales put down their violins and joined voices in an impromptu collaboration with members of the wonderful Barbershop Quartet also performing at the event.
www.glebereport.ca/canadensis-to-unveil-new-sun-shelter/
Our amazing and talented kids that we are all so proud of!
The Fine Tuners junior violin performance group recently had a fiddle workshop with fiddler Emilia Bartellas, one of Newfoundland's finest traditional players. Fine Tuners coach, Jerry Csaba, had nothing but praise for this experience. "The fiddle workshop turned out to be a wonderful experience. Emilia is an experienced teacher with an abundance of warmth and friendliness. Her expertise is in original tunes from Newfoundland and we learned three different types of songs. Learning by ear for each tune proved to be challenging for all and with the addition of various ornaments, drones and styles, even more so. She was very patient with us in our attempts so we learned and had a lot of fun in the process. We spent some of the time learning about the various styles on the island and some of the people who originated these styles. This allowed us to rest while learning something new, as the workshop involved a lot of actual playing. As the oldest player in the group, I appreciated those little moments of respite to give my brain a rest.
I was extremely pleased to find that the players in Fine Tuners responded so well to the whole experience and that there was much exchange between student and teacher. I think we all left with a happy satisfaction in what we had achieved and a new sense of humility in rediscovering just how demanding it is to excel in all of the art forms connected to music." Jerry Csaba
Here's what the participants from Fine Tuners had to say:
"I think that it was fun and it was nice to learn something new."
"I found it really interesting and fun. The teacher was amazing and it was a great experience!"
"I really enjoyed learning different fiddle ornaments and trying different pieces from different cultures. The teacher was very nice and knew what she was teaching. Overall, amazing experience!"
"The workshop was very entertaining, yet challenging. It is definitely fun to learn a new style of playing!"
OSS wrapped up the year with a wonderful Playdown June 3 at Woodroffe United Church.
Many OSS students graced the 100 Watt Earth Stage at the Ottawa Children’s Festival on Saturday May 11. Special thanks to Kristina Watt for her vision in creating this fantastic performance opportunity for youth in the National Capital Region to share their artistry with audiences of so many ages.
Ottawa Suzuki Strings was fortunate to receive a grant from the City of Ottawa to support OSS’ Masterclass & Workshop Series which took place January to March of this year. It was of great benefit to have both teachers from OSS and other master teachers in the community lead the masterclasses. Students from many different private studios in the community participated, learning so much from playing and listening to each other in the masterclass setting. The performers in the Masterclass Showcase Recital, held May 5 at Trinity United Church, were recommended by their masterclass leaders and performed a beautiful recital to wrap up this very successful series. The excellent venues for the series included the U of O Freiman Hall and the NAC Atelier. One of the masterclasses was held at a seniors’ retirement residence. About 40 residents attended. It was a new experience for most of them and they were absolutely enthralled! They all stayed for the whole masterclass, were so engaged and had many questions. Their final question was “When are you coming back?!” OSS certainly hopes to be able to offer such a series again.
Please contact the school administrator who can put you in touch with one of our faculty, or click here to register.
For enquiries please call the school administrator on 613 369 4376
Registered Charity Number: 84838 8252 RR0001
© 2018 Ottawa Suzuki Strings
Ottawa Suzuki Strings gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ottawa Community Foundation
