The songs in Kaleidoscopes Book 2 allow students to develop finger speed and graceful playing. The songs are short enough that the student can work on several songs at a time, mastering each one in a few weeks. These diverse, “perfectly sized” songs appeal to students’ need for uniqueness and variety, and give them a sense of momentum in their violin study. About the VIOLA Book: The viola recording is completed and currently in the mastering stage. It is currently available via YouTube here, and will soon be available for streaming. If you order a physical CD, it will be the violin version.  About the audio recordings: The digital version of the recording is available on all the major platforms. Parents, please help your child find and listen to both the VOCAL and VIOLIN recordings. Singing along with the lyrics will help them to more easily learn the songs by ear. Stream on Spotify: Volume I: Violin & Piano  |  Volume II: Voice & PianoStream on Apple Music: Volume...

The Teacher Guide includes: An overview of the component philosophies (Montessori, Suzuki, Kodaly) as they relate to the design of the Kaleidoscopes violin curriculum Guidance and insight for involving parents in their child's violin study and home practice Model sequences for younger (age 4-6) and older (age 7-10) beginners Choosing the correct violin size Teaching points for all the songs More than two dozen group class activities, including violin-playing, literacy, part-work, and kinesthetic activities Included in the set along with the Teacher Guide are the following (these books are also sold separately):  The Balanced Violinist: Technique Companion to Kaleidoscopes Book 1: Guide for parents, teachers, and students; The full-color Kaleidoscopes Book 1 student book with all the songs, and  Lines & Spaces, which is the movable-do-based note-reading companion to Kaleidoscopes.  The audio recording is an important component of the curriculum. The digital version is purchased separately and/or is available for streaming below. You may also order your books with...

Book 3 advances into more sophisticated playing and greater technical challenge with a wide variety of literature. Classical pieces by Bach, Brahms, Schumann and more include a broader palette of dynamics, articulations and stylistic elements. Vibrato is developed on Oyfn Pripetshik (Jewish traditional), Reverie, by Ambroise Thomas, and other songs.  The beautifully tragic Blanche Comme la Neige (French traditional), which is in mixed meter, encourages transparent flautando bowing. Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho introduces a bluesy style with swing rhythms. The book gradually moves toward longer pieces with contrasting sections, second position, and greater key flexibility. The recordings are not yet available on the usual streaming platforms but can be streamed on SoundCloud. The video playlist is available on the Kaleidoscopes YouTube channel, here. Browse the images (at left) for one-line excerpts of many songs in this book. Pages: 50Songs: 32

Designed for parents, teachers and students, this comprehensive, 84-page guide provides detailed instructions on every element of playing violin. Posture, bowhold, pre-playing exercises, and technical exercises are detailed with fun and engaging language, captivating activities, and beautiful photography.  This book provides an thorough orientation for the engaged practice parent, with topics such as:  The importance of daily practice and listening; Creating a positive, enriching and joyful practice environment; Giving your child feedback in a way that builds skill and confidence; Handling "big" feelings, both inside the practice room and out; Working creatively and effectively with your child's temperament; and  The later chapters of the book establish the foundation of violin technique in a biomechanically grounded way, with high-quality photos and essential information for teachers and parents. Topics include:  Setting the violin posture and left hand, and customizing the bowhold to the individual shape of the student's hand; Dynamic bowhold experiences...