Regional Workshop and Concert from Fiddling to Beethoven

A rousing march by Wagner and the exciting Jazz Ritmico showcase the Suzuki Strings orchestra at the workshop concert on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. in the Heritage Theater, 105 N. 100 East, in Cedar City.  Music from fiddling to Beethoven features nearly 100 students from age 3 to adult from throughout the region.  The suggested donation is $5 and the public is invited.

In addition there is a parent and teacher meeting with clinicians Randen Heywood and Kindal Ridd on Friday, Nov. 4, at 6:15 p.m. at the Heritage Center to explore practicing motivation and techniques.  This is free and the public is invited.

Three clinicians work with the students on Friday and Saturday in preparation for the concert. Randen Heywood is a diverse man with many creative pursuits. He is a music teacher, composer, and musician. He holds two degrees in music: a BM in music education from Brigham Young University, and a Master’s degree in Composition from the University of Utah. He is also trained in the Suzuki Method, and is certified in the Kodály concept. He has been recognized for his compositions for school orchestras by winning the prestigious American String Teachers Association’s Merle J. Isaac Composition Contest and the Composition Contest of Utah Chapter of ASTA. Mr. Heywood runs a large orchestra program at Westlake High School and one of its feeders Frontier Middle School teaching grades 7 to 12. He also has an active private studio of violin, viola, and a few cello students. He enjoys woodworking and being in the outdoors. He and his soul-mate Heather are proud parents of 5 children.

Dr. Ka-Wai Yu is an Assistant Professor of Music at Dixie State University, where he teaches cello and directs the string chamber music program. He previously taught at Eastern Illinois University and Indiana Wesleyan University.  In great demand as a clinician, Dr. Yu has given master classes in numerous universities and institutions in North America and Asia.  He has taught in music camps and workshops in Illinois, Georgia and Michigan, as well as in Hong Kong.  He has served as adjudicator, held clinics, and guest-conducted regularly at various high schools, youth orchestras, and string festivals in the Southwest and Midwest.  He directs the newly established St. George Cello Ensemble and is a board member of the Cello Society of Southern Utah.  He also serves as the Principal Cellist of Southwest Symphony Orchestra and has performed at major concert halls in Canada, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.  He is active as a chamber musician, and has been a member of the Kolob Trio, Ensemble Finesse, and the period-instrument ensemble La Réunion Musicale.  He has appeared in many venues including the prestigious Aspen Music Festival. Dr. Yu obtained his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a Master of Music in Cello Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. 

Heywood and Yu will be performing a violin/cello duo by Beethoven as part of the Saturday concert program.

Kindal Erickson Ridd graduated from Southern Utah University with a BFA in Graphic Design. She recently moved to Midway, Utah and can’t believe that she left her beautiful sage brush, red hills and violin studio behind! Kindal has taught violin and piano for six years in her private studio as well as with the Southern Utah Suzuki String Institute and absolutely loves working with children. Performing brings so much joy, and Kindal has fiddled for the Utah Shakespeare Festival, performed with Orchestra of Southern Utah, and participated in quartets and solo concerts. She couldn’t be more excited to come back to Southern Utah and share her enthusiasm for violin with Suzuki Strings again. 

Violins, violas and cellists are featured with music ranging from Bach to Brahms plus fiddle tunes from the American Revolutionary era and a charming Sunny Day Jig. 

Eleven teachers are preparing the students to participate.  Group class teachers are Marin Colby, Ling Yu, Lacey Woods, Samantha Herring, Jessie Williamson, and Sara Penny.  Pianists are Rimi Fletcher, Tasha Seegmiller, Beth Stephenson, and Melanie Jeffs. 

The Saturday concert culminates two days of workshop classes with students from throughout Utah.  Suzuki Strings Cedar City is a non-profit organization and appreciates support from the RAP Fund (Recreation, Arts, and Parks).  “For 34 years the group has been teaching children and adults to play violin, viola, and cello and many of the students have gone on to professional teaching and performing careers,” said Sara Penny, director.   “Others have found that music enriches their lives no matter what profession they have pursued.  We are fortunate to have a strong team of teachers and pianists helping and we appreciate all of them.”  Suzuki Strings works with the SUU Music Department and the Suzuki Association of Utah to provide musical opportunities for students.

For more information: suzukistringscc@gmail.com.

Workshop schedule and information in previous post.

(Poster design by Kindal Ridd)