ISSI 2024

 

What in the world is ISSI you ask?  It is the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute. 

We go every year.  Ryan and I both grew up attending, I even got my teacher training through this institute, and now our kids go.  And I love it so much.  It is always 6 days long, and always the 3rd week of June.  It is held on the Juan Diego Catholic high school campus which is  huge, and so is this music camp of more than 1000 attendees, so it's perfect. Debbie Moench, Kjersti's violin teacher, is also one of the founders. 

Kjersti had a special opportunity this time to solo with the faculty orchestra. She had to audition by sending in a recording of her piece-which was the Vivaldi Concerto in G minor-1st movement. 

Her performance was going to be on the Tuesday afternoon honors recital. We arrived on the Saturday beforehand to get in a rehearsal. Seven kids were selected--I'm not sure how many sent in recordings. 

Here she is Monday night-after a long day of classes- trying on her dress to decide if she should wear the cardigan--or not. 

Both were good options but  in the end, the freezing auditorium dictated that she wear the cardigan. 

She waited back stage and when it was her turn, she walked bravely on stage and gave her bow to the clapping audience.

Then she put up her violin and played with gusto. Her concerto was 4 pages long. 

I was so proud of her and also nervous for her.  This piece was seasoned, she had already performed it several times etc., but I really wanted her to have a good experience, and not be traumatized if something went wrong. 

Luckily, prayers were answered and she played beautifully. Dominique Fiore  was the conductor.  He is super fun and funny.  She was also in his chamber class and orchestra class.

So they saw each other a lot. 

Here she is in Dominique's chamber class right after playing. 

She also had a fiddling/bluegrass class.  Which was relaxed and fun. 

Here is orchestra with Dominique.  This class was at 9:00 AM and he wanted students in their seats and ready to rehearse at 9:00--and I'm happy to say we were never late for his class. 

Her last class of the day called Violin Performance was at 4:00PM and it was with Chloe Kiffner from France.  She spoke with such a darling accent, and she was thorough and very good.  Kjersti was in the book 7/8 level. 

Chloe's class on Saturday--our last day. 

She had masterclass with Noni at 11:00am.  

Here they are stretching their necks and backs.  Violin is exhausting after 6 hours of playing and practicing daily. 

These are all the kids in her masterclass.  It's Kjerst, Lacey, Noni and Ella. 

Jace also went.  He was complaining that he had to go again this year--because it's intense and a little stressful with all the music they learn and practice daily. But he got there and this cute girl name Cali was his masterclass partner etc., and she was so nice to him--and he liked it!!!  You can tell by his smile-in this secret picture that we took--that he is not hating this class!!!

He also got selected to be in this special orchestra that got to perform Finlandia by Sibelius.    They did an awesome job on the final concert!

Here he is on Saturday--concert day!  Big smile--mostly because he's done--I think!!

If you are wondering where Gracie was--she was at her cousins in St George.  There are  no piano classes at this particular camp.

Other highlights to the week were seeing cousins in the halls between classes and going to dinner together after a long, rigorous day.. 

Friday night, after one of Jaces concerts, we went to La Calle for dinner. 

It's one of Salt Lake City's most fabulous restaurants. It's very French, and the grounds are breathtaking. 

Ryan loves good food, and this place never disappoints, and has the bill to prove it. 

To end this post, I have included all the professional shots that we had taken right after Kjersti's solo.  They had a professional photographer at camp this year--and it was perfect!

We are always a little sad and relieved when ISSI is finished for the year.  Now we are home and regrouping for the next chapter of summer--which is surgery for both Jace and Gracie.  More on that to come. 

July 4th 2024

 

Red, White and Blue bling....a July 4th must. 

                And none better to wear it than these two cuties. 

For months I'd been planning our visit to my hometown in Southern Ut.  We rented razors-twice and went on excursions, to see the beautiful sights of the red desert. 

The morning of the fourth, we took the girls and went up to the Toquerville falls. 

I love this little desert oasis in the middle of nowhere. It has 2 waterfalls. This is the upper fall. 

This is the lower one. Last summer, we were able to jump off the ledge down into the pond below, but it was too shallow this year.  I was SUPER disappointed. 

My nephew Cameron came with his family. (He's wearing red.)

On the way home, his razor stopped working .  Oh yes it did--in 110 degree heat!   But one razor had empty seats so they piled in and held their kids on their laps. 

That evening we saw my family for awhile.  In this picture is my bother Chris, BIL Shawn, sister Calista, SIL Gina and nephew Cragun with wife Sarah and daughter Rhiannon. 

On Saturday morning, early-Ryan flew with Paul (BIL and our pilot) up to Provo, UT to  pick Jace up from FSY. ( Church youth camp).  We had so much fun taking the girls on the razors, so we booked a trip with the boys!   So fun.  This one was dirtier!  We went riding razors on the beautiful red sand dunes near Sand Hallow Reservoir, we also went to the  T. Falls again.

                Will, Jace, Ryan and Noah, all hot and dirty!

                             Ryan and his "Buddy Boy"

    Me and Jace standing in the Sand Hallow Reservoir. I love the red sand of my childhood. This is home.

A fun little stop for a photo. Cool rock cave!

                            The ledge--only a 100 foot drop if Ryan lets go of my hand.  He didn't-so he must still like me after 20+ years!

The falls with the boys.  SO nice to cool down!  It was so hot!  

The boys in their rig--Ryan taking a selfie. 

My handsome teenager!  Soon to be a senior in High School!

We cleaned up and took the girls to Frozen at Tuacahn, the outdoor theater in Southern Utah.  They put on excellent productions. We loved it. We went to Anastasia as well.  That was my favorite. 

It was a wonderful weekend filled with memories, and experiences together with loved ones. My heart swells with love for our great Country. It is still the greatest country on earth, and I hope we can remain that way.  I pray its people choose to live righteously and virtuously, so we can maintain our freedoms. 

God Bless America, Land That I love---with my whole heart and soul.