BY CHRIS BRAUER
Advance staff
“Two months is a long time, and it can be really frustrating come early September when students try to pick up where they left off. I’ve had several requests from those that recognize how difficult it is to get back in the habit after putting away their music for so long, and that’s why I’m offering violin lessons throughout the summer,” said Megan Bibby. “Regularly scheduled lessons over July and August – even if they’re not as frequent – allows my students to continue where they left off and reach their goals faster.”
Bibby has been playing the violin for over ten years, and knows well the challenges and frustrations of the instrument. She is now working towards her Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Level 9 in violin. She hopes to achieve Level 10 in violin and Level 6 in piano by the time she applies to the University of Victoria (UVic) School of Music for September 2019. “I was looking at smaller colleges that were closer to Creston, but I want to go somewhere that will best guide me in making music my career,” said Bibby.
A grade 12 student at PCSS, Bibby has trouble recalling what triggered her interest in violin, “but I knew from the beginning that it would be the instrument for me. I was drawn to the variety of music that I could play, and I later became interested in the electric violin and creating loops and different sound effects,” said Bibby. “Over the years, music has been my release. I was really shy when I was younger and I could escape into making music. Now I work at balancing school, highland dance and playing violin while teaching part-time.”
A member of the Creston Valley Music Teachers Association (CVMTA), Bibby has been offering lessons for the past year and enjoys the challenges of finding different teaching methods that best match up to each student. “I teach the way I would have liked to have been taught. It’s important to keep learning fun, but this means different things for different students. Some students connect with little mind tricks that I have picked up over the years, while other students connect with different genres of music. Other students like to set goals and are driven to get to the next level. I also encourage my students to help each other during group lessons, because the act of teaching helps confirm what they know,” said Bibby.
Bibby speaks enthusiastically about being able to pass on the traditions of playing an instrument that is so close to her heart. “I feel that I’m a part of something bigger than myself when I pass on certain fiddle tunes or a love for playing. I’ve also discovered a strong sense of connection that my students have with each other during group lessons. They encourage each other and trade tips and that really adds to the overall experience.”
Bibby is constantly amazed how quickly her students progress. “I think it helps that I arrange modern music for the violin and my students can recognize the tunes. While I teach different musical genres, I always have students asking me to arrange songs they hear on the radio or on YouTube,” said Bibby. “I like to combine the Suzuki and RCM methods when I teach violin. The Suzuki method introduces different techniques one song at a time, while the RCM emphasizes the technical aspects: scales and ear training.”
A regular at the Creston and Nelson farmers’ markets, Bibby has also performed at Focus on Youth, the Blossom Festival, the CVMTA Tapestry concert, and other music festivals. “I’ve been really fortunate to have several supportive music teachers and I’ve been constantly encouraged by people in the Kootenays. It really does take a community to raise a musician.”
Bibby has spaces available for students both within the school year and over the summer. She can be contacted by phone at 250-428-4648 or by email MeganBibby21@gmail.com.