Ottawa Suzuki Strings
2410 Georgina Drive K2B 7M8 Ottawa, ON, Canada

The Ottawa Suzuki Strings (OSS) music school year of 2020-2021 has been a year of adjustment, flexibility, creativity, resourcefulness and continuous musical growth!!! Each and every member affiliated with the school including faculty, students, parents and the board members have all demonstrated resilience, creativity and cooperation to achieve the musical education goals. The OSS May 17, 2021 Spring Virtual Playdown celebrates these accomplishments. Special thanks to OSS guitar teacher, Nathan Bredeson, for sharing his technical expertise to make this event possible.

Members of the Ottawa Suzuki Strings Board presented gifts to John Royle at a surprise, socially distanced outdoor visit to thank John for his many years of devoted service to Ottawa Suzuki Strings as Board Member, Treasurer and President.

OSS held some winter studio recitals in December, both virtual and in person. From all accounts, the virtual recitals were very successful and much fun was had. Sarah Williams' studio opted for two small recitals in person at Woodroffe United Church. It was lovely to make live music together.

Suzuki Flute lessons will now be offered Flute teacher, Emily Marks, has had a stellar career as an orchestral and chamber musician. She brings to our school vast experience in teaching the flute at all levels and is highly regarded for her pedagogical approach with children.

Ottawa Suzuki Strings Artistic Director Elaine Klimasko and guest Met Opera Assistant Conductor Bryan Wagorn chat about his work at the Met in New York City. Originally from the Ottawa region and a University of Ottawa alumnus, Bryan has an established career as an assistant conductor working with the performers of several Met Opera productions each season. He also teaches and performs in recital with his Met Orchestra colleagues, the New York Philharmonic and musicians such ...as Pinchas Zukerman and Amanda Forsyth. Bryan will share some of his advice on the best skills for musicians to rehearse and collaborate with pianists and how to prepare for auditions. Ottawa Suzuki Strings gratefully acknowledges the Ottawa Community Foundation for its financial support towards this project. Powered by Restream https://restream.io/

Ottawa Suzuki Strings is thrilled to announce the appointment of Donnie Deacon as the new director and coach of the school’s premiere violin performance ensemble, Stellae Boreales. Mr. Deacon received two full scholarships to study violin at two of the world’s most prestigious music schools, The Menuhin School and the Curtis Institute of Music. He toured internationally with the Zukerman chamber players and was principal second violinist of the National Arts Centre Orchestra ...for many years. 2020 Audition Requirements for Stellae Boreales 1. Recommendation of private teacher 2. Technical Requirements Scales: 8 slurred eighth notes at 120 bpm A or C Major scale and arpeggio 3 octaves A or G minor scale and arpeggio (harmonic OR melodic student’s choice) 3 octaves 3. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, First or Third Movement by J.S. Bach, from memory (Book 7). An alternative work of equal level may be requested (in advance) with approval of the audition panel. 4. Quick Study will be provided one week prior to the audition. Must be requested by Sep 4. (does not need to be memorized) Please submit your audition videos to [email protected] by Sep 11. See more

With the support of a grant from the Ottawa Community Foundation to enrich communities through music, OSS gave its first outdoor OSS Community Concert on August 16 at Unitarian House. It was wonderful for OSS faculty members and students to come together to perform a live concert for a live audience! Experiencing their first live event since the mid-March COVID shutdown, the Unitarian house residents and staff were a welcoming and enthusiastic audience. One resident summed it up perfectly: Music touches the soul. It is the best therapy and we needed it.

Porch Concerts!

Our last recital in person this past January... Miss seeing them in my studio!