By Amy Trottier, social media coordinator

Disclaimer: My daughter is a FSPA string student, and as a parent, I am overjoyed at the progress she has made with her bass violin in just over a year. However, I think I can be objective when I say that I was truly amazed at the caliber of the performance that my daughter’s String Workshop produced at this year’s Summer Fun with Strings concert. In just ten days, this group of intermediate violin, viola, cello and bass players put together a three song repertoire that concluded with the Lady Gaga hit “Bad Romance.” I decided to find out what teaching method was behind such an enthusiastic and well performed concert, and for that, I contacted FSPA Strings, Harp and Guitar Department Chair Alesia Byrd.

“The Beyond Boundaries teaching method is an inner directed approach to learning, so we ask lots of questions to engage the students in the learning process. Instead of just telling them, we get them to think of ways to perform or understand a concept by making them part of this process,” says Byrd.

The Super Strings program utilizes the Beyond Boundaries Teaching Approach which is the backbone of the teaching method for all student instruction at the Flint School of Performing Arts. This method provides students with a safe, caring, discovery-based environment. Optimal learning can be achieved through: Autonomy – “I am the origin of decisions that affect me;” Relatedness – “I am part of a community. What I do affects others;” Competence – “I relish a challenge as long as I see potential for success.” The student is the central figure in their learning experience, the teacher is the “guide from the side,” explains Byrd. FSPA instructors encourage students to set individual goals and be responsible for achieving them.

The Super Strings music workbook ‘String Explorer – A Journey into the Wonders of String Playing,’ by Andrew Dabczynski, Richard Meyer and Bob Phillips, has a colorful, adventurous ‘Indiana Jones’ theme. Cleverly named explorers Roslyn Le Bow and Arco Dakota present students with challenges and explain the history behind the methods and music. For instance, did you know that the method of notes on a staff was developed by Italian monk Guido d’ Arezzo in 1000 AD? Well I didn’t, until it was pointed out by Arco Dakota in Unit 5 of ‘String Explorer.’

“The general progression for an FSPA string student is either starting out with Summer Fun with Strings or in our Super Strings Beginning Strings classes for one year, then in the second year, students begin Intermezzo Strings classes,” says Byrd. “In the beginning class the student learns how to hold the instrument and play songs by rote in the first half of the year and then in the second half, they are introduced to note reading.” This method allows the student to become comfortable with holding the instrument and posture before tackling note reading.

“Intermezzo Strings classes continue to work on reading skills so that by the third year the goal is to have the student ready to audition for String Orchestra and begin private lessons,” explains Byrd. After the third year of instruction, students can audition for the Flint Youth Philharmonia Orchestra which has traveled to Toronto, Chicago, Cleveland and Indianapolis to perform, compete and sight-see. After the Philharmonia, students have the opportunity to audition for the Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra, a full orchestra and member of the League of American Orchestras, under the direction of Davin Pierson Torre, director of Flint School of Performing Arts. In its 65 year history, the FYSO has performed in England, France and Ireland, to name only a few. Additionally, the FYSO performs a full concert at The Whiting each year. “String students participating in orchestra provides skills of learning like how to work together as a strong team, leadership skills, aural listening skills and introduction to various styles of music,” adds Byrd.

“An advanced string student can be additionally challenged by having the opportunity to audition for the Honors Chamber Music Groups. These string quartets have opportunities to work with a coach and give yearly recitals and performances in the community as well as having the chance to work with master artists,” says Byrd. “Of course, all FSPA string students have the opportunity to attend master classes given by master teachers and FSO soloists,” adds Byrd.

Byrd certainly has the pedigree for a successful musical career; her father was William C. Byrd, Flint Symphony Orchestra Conductor from 1966 until his untimely death in 1974. Her mother is FSO First Violinist and Associate Concertmaster Mary Margaret St. John. As the Principal 2^nd Violin for the FSO, Byrd is delighted to work so closely with her mother. Byrd has been on the FSPA faculty since she was a student at MSU in 1982, “I guess that makes it about 29 years,” laughs Byrd, “it doesn’t seem that long ago! I guess time flies when you love what you do!”

Byrd has reason to be proud, some of her students have gone on to pursue musical careers, “One former student is teaching and performing in a professional orchestra in upstate New York, another is a student at Cleveland Conservatory, another is playing in the Midland Symphony and the Saginaw Symphony, another performs on an electric violin, traveling and performing all over the country and another former student is a cellist teaching and performing in the Chicago area, and that is just to name a few!” Byrd exclaims.

Byrd is assisted by fellow strings colleagues Kelly Splear, Beginning and Intermezzo Strings Instructor; Matthew Nix, Beginning Strings Instructor, and Nick Toben, Beginning Cello/Bass class instructor. The entire FSPA faculty is highly qualified, degreed professionals who have performance experience.

I now understand why my daughter’s string workshop was so impressive; it is the result of a tried and true teaching method in combination with outstanding instruction by professional musicians. The FSPA puts the student at the center of their learning experience and asks them to challenge themselves in order to achieve their ‘Personal Best.’

If you are interested in finding out more about the Strings program at FSPA, or to enroll in classes, call 810.238.1350 ext. 3 and download the FSPA class schedule here.