Results are in! Swan Kiezebrink, or “Mrs K”, is very proud of her students achievements in recent Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) exams which took place in Prince George June 20 - 24:
First Class Honours with Distinction
Charis Schlamp, Level 8 theory, 90%
Rachel Pagdin,
Level 6 theory, 96%
Connor Ebert,
Level 6 theory, 93%
First Class Honours
Madisyn McKinlay, Level 3 Piano, 86%
Penelope Roberge, Level 2 Piano, 87%
Suzuki piano
Besides her 15 RCM piano students, Swan also has 13 Suzuki piano students moving through Book 1 and 2, “Each working very hard and making excellent progress - way to go!”
Canada 150 recital
Swan’s Music Studio annual year end piano and voice recital in June had a Canada 150 theme. “Everyone learned a Canadian folk song, or performed a piece by a Canadian composer - five students performed their own compositions as they are also Canadian composers!” says Swan.
Always learning
More news from her studio is that Swan applied for and received her British Columbia Music Teacher’s Designation. Over the summer break she is completing the new Royal Conservatory of Music History course which she may be able to offer to the community as well.
Summer camp
Over three days, July 11 - 13, Swan’s Music Studio hosted a very successful third biannual Suzuki piano camp. “We bring in an experienced and highly qualified clinician to come and work with the students and we offer dance and music theory fun as well,” says Swan.
Expert master classes
Gail Lange an extremely knowledgeable and accomplished clinician came out from Guelph, Ontario to teach the Suzuki piano master classes. In 2005 Gail was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal for her contributions to music education in Canada. “She worked in great detail with the children on some pretty advanced concepts. But the difference in the playing was noticeable for everyone.”
Dance recital
In breaks from their piano master classes, Maggie Fraser taught the students highly animated dance classes which they absolutely loved! “She did a fabulous job. I am sure the kids slept soundly those nights! The performances were really well done!”
Rhythm and solfege
In other summer camp group lessons the students practiced solfege - the A, B, C’s of music or ‘doh ray mee fah so lah tee doh’. “The younger students (aged 3 to 7) worked a lot on listening and pre music reading; the older students (aged 8 - 12) on rhythm, note reading, theory and sight singing. They all did really well.”
Parent workshops
Parents were also participants in the summer camp. Education evenings were insightful and thought provoking. “We learned lots of tips for helping kids practice and how to keep the big picture in mind. Music is a lifestyle, it teaches sensitivity and discipline. It’s not just an extra curricular activity.”
Voice training
Swan has a few students who study voice. Jessi Hartwig has been singing under Swan’s direction for eight years. “Jessi has been a hard worker and she has done very well!” Jessi competed in Provincials and always performed in festival, community events and recitals.
Graduating students
Jessi is one of Swan’s graduating students. She completed RCM grade 7 voice. Jessi will be missed when she goes on to further studies. Matthew Ebert is another graduate heading off to university in the fall. Matthew completed RCM grade 9 piano. He competed in Provincials and has done community accompanying. “He has done exceptionally well and we wish him all the best in the future!”
