I started this list to give our clients an idea of some places where we have performed in the past.  Obviously, I can’t put down every single place since we have played at many churches, fire halls, banquet halls, private family residences, golf and country clubs, even beaches.  However, some of the following places are somewhat popular for booking weddings and events.  If the place you want us to play at is already on this list – it is another bonus, since we already know how to get there,know the layout and its’ acoustical potential, which gives us a good idea of where toplace the group.  Also, the staff sometimes remembers us from previousjobs and makes it easy to communicate with.  

• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens – Pittsburgh, PA
  
• Seven Springs Resort – Seven Springs, PA
• The Fallingwater – Mill Run, PA
• Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall –  Pittsburgh, PA
• The Atrium – Prospect, PA
• Sheraton at Station Square – Pittsburgh, PA
• Carnegie Museum of Natural History – Pittsburgh, PA
• Linden Hall Mansion – Dawson, PA
• Buhl Mansion – Sharon, PA
• Tara Country Inn – Clark, PA
• Morning Glory Inn – Pittsburgh, PA
• Foggy Mountain Lodge – Stahlstown, PA
• Felicity Farms – Beaver, PA
• Omni William Penn Hotel Grand Ballroom – Pittsburgh, PA
• The Pennsylvanian – Pittsburgh, PA
• Old Economy Village – Ambridge, PA
• Duquesne Chapel – Pittsburgh, PA
• Mt. Troy Ballroom – Pittsburgh, PA
• Four Seasons Banquet House – Gibsonia, PA
• Brady’s Run Park – Beaver Park, PA
• Riverside Landing – Oakmont, PA
• Sunset Delight – McHenry, MD
• The Edgewood Country Club – Pittsburgh, PA
• The Mansion and Maple Heights, PA
• Upper St. Clair Country Club – Upper St. Clair, PA
• Ross Mountain Club – New Florence, PA
• Long Vue Golf Club – Verona, PA
• The Shiloh Inn – Pittsburgh, PA
• Steubenville Country Club – Steubenville, OH
• Sunny Ledge – Pittsburgh, PA
• George Washington Museum – Wilmerding, PA
• The Pittsburgh Golf Club – Pittsburgh, PA
• FedEx Ground Conference Center
• George Washington – Washington, PA
• Plaza Deck – Farmington, PA
• Grove City College – Grove City, PA
• Oxford Centre – Pittsburgh, PA
• Schenley Park Center – Pittsburgh, PA
• City County Building – Pittsburgh, PA
• Bakersville Fire Hall – Somerset, PA
• Bakersville Fire Hall – Somerset, PA
• Bella Sera – Canonsburg, PA
• Penn State University, The Eberly Campus – Uniontown, PA

This is mostly for those who book wedding receptions and dinners with us.  When our groups play at these,  we usually put together our own program, mixing classical pieces with a few oldies, Beatles and such.  However, keep in mind that we can play some pieces for you on request.  You might have a special song for the bride and groom upon them being introduced, or may be another one played during the Father/Daughter dance, or the Bride/Groom dance.  If needed, we can always arrange a song to fit your requests.  During one of the wedding dinners we played “Happy Birthday” for a grandmother who turned ninety on the day of the wedding – it was a simple gesture and she loved it! So, please remember that these options are there – let us know and we will make it happen for you!

Even after teaching for such a long time, I still try to think of ways on how to improve my teaching techniques, my approach to students of different levels and to their future potentials. I know what I wish for students during my lessons, I have a clear game plan for each one of them in my head, but I have never been able to sum it up in a few words… until now. Here is someone else’s sentence on it, but it surely fits how I feel and what I try to aim for as a teacher.

…” The students and I share a common goal, which is the development of their potential to the fullest extent. I am for a cordial but intense and purposeful teaching atmosphere…”

Arik Braude, Strad Magazine, February 2010

I have been a private violin and viola instructor since 1996.  Every time I get a beginner student I have a discussion with a parent, explaining that violin or viola are probably some of the hardest instruments to learn. It will take time, work, and patience from both, student and parents.  I emphasize that point especially to those whose children already play another instrument, especially piano. Piano is much easier to conquer in the early stages than violin or viola, and I don’t want parents to assume that it is the same with string instruments.  Even though I am very confident in my viewpoint on that, once in a while I would feel that some parents did not trust me on that, assuming that I purposely make learning violin or viola look harder than it actually is.  In the long run they see for themselves that it does take more effort than some other instruments, especially piano.  Don’t get me wrong – I am  not prejudiced against piano ( I spent ten years in my childhood with my hands on eighty eight black and white keys in addition to violin), I am simply stating that violin, viola (and cello) are more challenging.

After all these years I finally found something for those who might have mistrusted me at first.  This comes from the March issue of the Strad Magazine, very popular in the world of musicians, professionals and amateurs alike.  This is an excerpt from an article by Norman Lebrecht, cultural commentator.  I think he said it the best, which is why I put it here. I hope this will make it easier to understand what we deal with as string players, and to all of you, especially my students : realize how hard it is what you do on the instrument, I am proud of you for choosing such a challenging instrument,  and have patience with it – rewards are on the way!

Here are some photos of our quartets and trios  performing at weddings and different indoor settings in Pittsburgh and its’ surroundings. If you don’t want to watch the slide show of all the photos, you may also double click on any single photo to see its’ larger image.

We also perform for kids at schools, trying to introduce children to string instruments early. We talk about classical music, instruments, different time periods, and play pieces from different eras. Kids seem to enjoy it, and so do we.  We also did a program for students at Grove City College, the string quartet photos are here as well.

 

This one was a lot of fun for all of the musicians! Our string quartet was hired to play there for the Raymond James & Associates Financial Services. It was a great setting, wonderful people who truly appreciated us, and we played pretty much non stop, moving from one beautiful nature spot to the next. Even my husband who came along and carried instruments around ( thank you so much to him! ) had fun. It was a wonderful, sunny day and even a better day to be a musician!

These are photos of us playing at outdoor wedding ceremonies, banquets, and other parties.If you don’t want to watch the slide show of all the photos, you may also double click on any single photo to see its’ larger image.

These are some of my viola and violin students. I have a studio of  over thirty kids in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh. Some take lessons to be a part of their school orchestra, some are aiming towards a career in music, and some – like a photo of my husband with an adult student that I teach – simply tried to play the violin just to see how hard it really is!

I tend to stay very involved with my clients when it comes to selecting music, especially if it is a wedding. The other day a client of ours (we are to have a string trio at her wedding  in April) requested, or rather asked if we could play “Adagio for Strings by Barber “for her processional. Many people, including my husband, know the tune from the movie “Platoon”. It is a slow, solemn piece, funeral – like. In fact, our string quartet had played it at the Pittsburgh County Courthouse on April 6, 2009 where the bodies of  three Pittsburgh Police Officers were laid for viewing after they were shot and killed on April 4th… We played there all day, alternating musicians. Some of us stayed late into the evening. “Adagio for strings” was the piece that we played several times throughout the night. It is also a piece that was played by different orchestras throughout the country after 9-11 attack. For some, it became a symbol on 9-11. It is a wonderful piece and the bride told me  she absolutely loves it. However, I can’t imagine playing it as she is walking down the isle towards her future husband! At first, she seems let down, but after I e-mailed her several videos of where that piece was played – she thanked me, saying she didn’t realized what the piece meant and how people can perceive it.  We finally settled on a piece a bit more upbeat and suitable for a spring day wedding. The point is: you might love a certain piece, but be careful in your decision on where you want the piece to be heard. You n ever know how it might affect those around you, especially if it is a wedding, supposedly a happy occasion.