Cello Studio, Ithaca, NY, 1988-present; Certified Suzuki Instructor, ages
3-up, Pre-Twinkle to Book 10; Creative Ability Development at all stages;Waldorf
School cello instructor: See teaching calendar and videos below
Music Therapy Department, Mansfield University, from Spring 2000. Research,
design and implement an ongoing Improvisation workshop series, topics
spanning a 4 year program.
Adjunct Professor, Alfred University, Alfred, N.Y., 1995-1996
Cello instructor and Program co-ordinator, Ithaca Talent Education,
Ithaca, N.Y.,1987-1994
Suzuki Teacher training, graduate and undergraduate, Ithaca College,
1987-1994
Sabbatical replacement for Cello, Hobart-William Smith College, Geneva,
N.Y.,1983-1984
Sera by her mailbox!! 210north Corn St. Ithaca NY 14850
(Between Seneca and Buffalo)
Guest Clinician at Regional Suzuki Workshops, U.S and Canada, from 1988
Instructor at annual Summer Suzuki Institutes from 1989:
rrrr- Ithaca Suzuki Institute, from 1989-1994
rrrr- North Eastern Suzuki Institute, ME.,
from 1994-2005, 2011
rrrr-Southwestern Ontario Suzuki Institute,
Wilfrid Laurier University, 1997-present
-Edmonton Suzuki Institute, University of Alberta, 2002, 2004, 2006,
2008, 2010
-Ogontz Suzuki Institute, New Hampshire, - 2006-2008
-Music As Play: All-Improvised summer program-Ithaca, NY- from 2009
Young People's Festival (for young improvising cellists, at
NDCF, above): Teacher, Steering Committee, Co-ordinator, 1997-present
Chiron Festival of the Creative Spirit: Performer, consultant, from
1988-1999 Young People's Composition Festival: Co-ordinator,
(for young composers, part of Chiron, above)1996-2000
Below is a small sample of our annual end-of-the-year dance. We all gather
with family and guest musicians, a dance caller, as well as guests and
family members for a rousing session of dances and music from around the
world. All the musicians look forward to next years dance when they will
know more songs, while seasoned improvisors also love to offer their music.
This is an event which pedagogically combines elements of reading music
with improvisation, and musical styles found around the world. It integrates
private practice with community service. This particular dance is one
of our favorites: a Ukranian dance..
2011 - 2012 Performance/Teaching
Schedule
Dr Sera Smolen researched Anthroposophical principles
of Rudolf Steiner in order to understand how Waldorf based curriculum
and the Suzuki philosophy relate to one another. Lessons and classes
are taught using pedagogical principles from both these world-changing
teachers. Dr. Smolen teaches according to the "mother tongue"
method of Dr. Suzuki, while allowing students to develop into whole
musicians by combining performance by heart, music reading, world musics,
improvisation and composition at all levels. Dr. Smolen has been working
for 25 years with Alice Kanack to develop the Creative Ability Development
method, educating the creative part of the brain. Scheduling for lessons
and classes are indicated below. Mondays and Tuesdays Dr. Smolen teaches
at the Ithaca Studio. Wednesday at the Ithaca Waldorf School, Wednesday
afternoon and Thursdays at the Studio indicated below.
210 North Corn St.--Green house with Green trim,
with mailbox, see picture above
(Between Seneca and Buffalo--Park either in
driveway or on opposite side of street)