themusicwithinusparents

This website is the official community site for parents of The Music Within Us program. Certain sections will be accessible only to members of this parent community. If you are a member, you will see "members only" in the section title, telling you that the information in these sections is not accessible to the public.

The Music Within Us™ developmental violin program offerings include individualized instruction with parent involvement, ensemble training, and performance opportunities for children beginning as early as age 2.5 years. Launched in Palo Alto, California, in September 2004, by Lisa S. Chu, M.D., the program is based on the highly successful model created in the Chicago area more than thirty years ago by Mrs. Betty Haag-Kuhnke, who taught Dr. Chu from age four through seventeen, and whose students have achieved international acclaim in concert. Through this unique relationship, The Music Within Us™ students have already enjoyed world-class educational and performing opportunities such as their May 2005, April 2006, and May 2007 guest appearances in the 30^th, 31st, and 32nd annual spring concerts of the Betty Haag Academy onstage at Orchestra Hall, home of the Chicago Symphony, the Conservatory Music in the Mountains summer institute in Durango, Colorado in August 2005, and the Strings at Winona Lake festival in Winona Lake, Indiana in July 2006 and August 2007. Dr. Chu's students have also joined the Magical Strings of Youth performing group of the Betty Haag Academy on concert tour in Italy in 2006, and in Prague in 2008. Venues on these tours included St. Peter's Square for Pope Benedict XVI, at the Chinese Embassy in Rome, at the Rudolfinum with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and at Smetana Hall with the Northern Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

Recent pictures

San Carlos Home Town Days 05-17-09

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SanCarlos Violin 001.JPG 2009-05-17

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San Carlos 15.jpg 2009-05-17

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San Carlos 10.jpg 2009-05-17

Stanford Mall 03-29-09

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Jeffs Camera March 2009 480.JPG 2009-03-28

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Jeffs Camera March 2009 843.JPG 2009-03-28

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Jeffs Camera March 2009 973.JPG 2009-03-28

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2- signage.jpg 2009-03-28

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27 - Twinkle.jpg 2009-03-28

Palo Alto Hills Country Club 12-14-08

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Oakwood 12-08-08

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Sacred Heart Concert 360.JPG 2008-12-08

2008-12-14

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img_7777 Bloomies 5.jpg 2008-12-13

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img_7660 Bloomies 1.jpg 2008-12-13

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img_7688 Bloomies 2.jpg 2008-12-13

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img_7771 Bloomies 3.jpg 2008-12-13

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img_7773 Bloomies 4.jpg 2008-12-13

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img_7766 Bloomies 8.jpg 2008-12-13

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img_7758 Bloomies 7.jpg 2008-12-13

MPAEF Hoe Down

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Mountain View Art & Wine Festival 9-7-08

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MVAWF 6.jpg 2008-09-07

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MVAWF 14.jpg 2008-09-07

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MVAWF 12.jpg 2008-09-07

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MVAWF 9.jpg 2008-09-07

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MVAWF 1.jpg 2008-09-07

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MVAWF 4.jpg 2008-09-07

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MVAWF 2.jpg 2008-09-07

Stinson Gala

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Carmel Violin Retreat 2008

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Chicago highlights

Group bow onstage 4-27-08
Our students received special recognition and took their own bow onstage at Orchestra Hall in Chicago.

Full stage shot 4-27-08
View of approximately 300 young violinists, age 3 to 17, performing together at Orchestra Hall in Chicago.

Henry (8) and Noah (6)
Food and friends during downtime in Chicago.

Soria (7) Isabela (6) and Rumi (5)
More food and friends during downtime in Chicago.

Jennifer (3) and Sean (5)
Siblings share the Orchestra Hall experience.

Sophie (6) and Greer (9)
Bus rides were an important time for building bonds in Chicago.

Rolling downhill in Chicago
Fun after a classic Chicago deep dish pizza dinner.

Parent group in Chicago
Parents pose for a rare photo after the pizza dinner in Chicago.

Next public performance: San Carlos Home Town Days festival

When: Sunday, May 17, 2009, at 2:30PM

Where: Stage 1, corner of Cedar St. and Arroyo Ave. in San Carlos
See this link for map and more information:
www.sancarloshometowndays.com/docs/HTDProgram09.pdf

What: We'll play both music from our standard repertoire and some tunes to fit with the western theme of the "Home Town Days" celebration.

Hope you'll join us!

Next public performance: Saturday, December 13, at 2:00PM

Come hear us perform holiday music at Bloomingdales, Stanford Shopping Center, in Palo Alto, CA.

When: Saturday, December 13, at 2:00PM

Where: Bloomingdales store, first floor

OPEN HOUSE for New Enrollment

Come visit us and learn more about enrollment opportunities for the coming year!

When: Saturday, October 18, 2008, at 10:00AM

Where: 2483 Old Middlefield Way, Suite 150, Mountain View, CA

Schedule:

10:15AM - 11:30AM Observe repertoire class in session
11:30AM - 11:45AM Q&A with students and parents from The Music Within Us program
11:45AM - 12:00PM Tour the studio
12:00PM - 1:00PM Repertoire class continues (optional for observers)

Parents AND children are encouraged to attend the Open House.

An informational seminar for parents interested in enrollment opportunities for the coming year will take place on MONDAY, October 27, 2008, at 7:00PM - 8:00PM. This seminar is designed for parents ONLY. You will hear more about the teaching philosophy and the commitment level expected in this program, as well as learn details about the application and enrollment process. Attendance at the Open House is highly recommended before attending the seminar. If you are unable to attend the Open House but would like to explore enrollment, please call (650) 325-2194.

Next public performance: Mountain View Art & Wine Festival

We are excited to announce that we will be performing at the 37th annual Art & Wine Festival in downtown Mountain View. Our group will appear on the Microsoft Community Stage in the Kids' Park, located in the Wells Fargo parking lot at the corner of Church & Castro Streets, on Sunday, September 7, 2008, from 1:00PM to 2:00PM.

For more information on all the performing groups and the complete schedule for the weekend, visit http://www.miramarevents.com/mountainview/kids.html.

Carmel Retreat 2008 a success!

We all had a wonderful time enjoying the beauty of Santa Lucia Preserve, getting to know each other better, and experiencing the mentoring of Mrs. Betty Haag-Kuhnke. Our final concert included a surprisingly large crowd, filling the seats at the Preserve Golf Club.

Now, Dr. Chu has one week to breathe before the 2008-2009 year starts with a flurry of local public performances!

Prague Performance with Betty Haag's Magical Strings of Youth

On June 14-21, 2008, the Magical Strings of Youth performing group from the Betty Haag Academy, including 4 guest students from The Music Within Us program, traveled to Prague on concert tour. Venues included Smetana Hall in Municipal House, Rudolfinum Hall, the Lobkowicz Palace, and St. Nicholas Church in Old Town Square. Soloist Vadim Gluzman joined the children for several performances.

Special Events Calendar

Sunday, August 03, 2008 - Thursday, August 07, 2008
Carmel Retreat
Santa Lucia Preserve

8/24/2008 1:00:00 AM - 8/24/2008 4:00:00 AM
Carole Stinson Literacy Foundation Gala
Modesto, CA

9/7/2008 8:00:00 PM - 9/7/2008 9:00:00 PM
Mountain View Art & Wine Festival
Downtown Mtn View

10/5/2008 12:00:00 AM - 10/5/2008 2:30:00 AM
MPAEF Benefit Concert
Atherton

12/13/2008 10:00:00 PM - 12/13/2008 11:30:00 PM
Bloomingdales holiday performance
Stanford Shopping Center

8/22/2008 1:00:00 AM - 8/22/2008 2:30:00 AM
REHEARSAL - Stinson gala concert
Studio

12/14/2008 10:00:00 PM - 12/14/2008 10:30:00 PM
Holiday Tea Performance
Palo Alto Hills Golf & Country Club

4/18/2009 8:00:00 PM - 4/18/2009 10:30:00 PM
34th Annual Orchestra Hall Concert
Chicago, IL

12/9/2008 12:30:00 AM - 12/9/2008 1:30:00 AM
5th Annual Sacred Heart Concert
Atherton, CA

10/18/2008 5:00:00 PM - 10/18/2008 6:30:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE for new enrollment
Studio

Families interested in learning more about enrollment in The Music Within Us program are invited to attend this special morning of events!

Schedule:
10:15AM – 11:30AM Observe repertoire class in session

11:30AM – 11:45AM Q&A with students and parents from The Music Within Us program

11:45AM – 12:00PM Tour the studio

12:00PM – 1:00PM Repertoire class continues (optional for observers)

Studio Address: 2483 Old Middlefield Way, Suite 150
Mountain View, CA
Phone: (650) 325-2194

10/4/2008 1:00:00 AM - 10/4/2008 2:15:00 AM
Rehearsal - MPAEF Benefit Concert
Studio

Only these pieces will be rehearsed:
Folk Tunes (Lightly Row through Perpetual Motion)
Minuet 1
Handel Bourree
Two Grenadiers
ALL Barn music (dress rehearsal with props)

9/30/2008 1:00:00 AM - 9/30/2008 1:30:00 AM
Rehearsal - MPAEF Benefit
Studio

Only these pieces will be rehearsed:
See Saw
Twinkle
Lightly Row
Old MacDonald

Friday, January 23, 2009 - Saturday, January 24, 2009
Stanford Open 2009 - Boys' & Men's Gymnastics Meet
Burnham Pavilion, Stanford University

See http://stanfordopen.com for more information.
A select group of our students will perform the national anthem before each of the following meets:

Friday 1/23/09 - 5:52pm Boys' Elite level gymnastics
Saturday 1/24/09 - 7:00pm NCAA Men's gymnastics, featuring Stanford, Cal, and U of Nebraska

3/28/2009 9:00:00 PM - 3/28/2009 10:00:00 PM
Stanford Shopping Center Spring Season Kick-Off Concert
Stanford Shopping Center Pavilion

We open the festivities for the first day of the Easter Bunny at the Mall, followed by a children's fashion show.

5/17/2009 9:30:00 PM - 5/17/2009 10:00:00 PM
San Carlos Home Town Days festival
Stage 1A
Stage 1A

See this link for map and full festival guide:

www.sancarloshometowndays.com/docs/HTDProgram09.pdf

5/30/2009 5:00:00 PM - 5/30/2009 7:00:00 PM
Year-End Solo Recital
Menlo Park

See Announcements section for Members Only information.

Favorite links

Videos

Parents Forum

Re: Star-Spangled Banner

Great teaching aid. Thanks for the effort I know it took to put them up. This approach to teaching and learning is very efficient and saves wear and tear on parents and kids. Would love to have this for Vivaldi A minor!

Re: Star-Spangled Banner

I agree with Ruth. These videos have been really helpful. We like having it broken into manageable parts, the clear instructions on fingering technique (with video zoom-in), as well as the repetitive exercises. And, the production quality is really good - thank you for taking the time. We are downloading the next set today.

Re: Star-Spangled Banner

Thanks for the feedback, Ruth! I'm glad to hear that you're using the videos, and finding them useful!

I've just posted three more videos to complete the entire piece, for the first stage of practicing.

Note that these can be used in at least two ways:
1. For new students learning the piece for the first time, taking note of the technique. You will probably have to stop and restart the video several times for the first few times you use it.

2. For students who have learned the piece in the past, it is helpful to practice at these tempos again, to make sure you are still using the correct technique, and listening carefully to your own playing.

See you all soon!

Dr. Chu