Simon Says

Nov. 15, 2011—Simon James, Chamber Music Camp Director

Felicity James has just won the WA State Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Strings Competition, competing in the Senior Division. The Music Teachers National Association competitions provide educational experiences for students and teachers and recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence. Felicity was an active participant in our camp last year. We are always pleased to see our summer-camp students achieve high honors in other endeavors.

At the same competition, her sister, Bronwyn, won the junior division. I'm very proud of both my girls! They were up against some tough competition, including many of my other students :-)

Jeffrey Lee, playing alongside Gloria Ferry-Brennan and Felicity James, recently won the Seattle Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. Jeffrey performs at Benaroya Hall this weekend the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. This is the only concerto that Sibelius wrote. It requires a high level of technical facility on the part of the soloist. Jeffrey will likely return to the Methow Valley this summer. You can watch him playing Sibelius here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UmjI0cELA0

Gloria studies with me in Seattle, but can't come to the Methow because she attends Aspen during the summer....alas.

Life is good,
Simon