We know that structure facilitates skills, reliability, and ease.... and variety within that structure can inspire extra engagement and growth! This includes both what we play and how we rehearse it. This session highlights culturally diverse repertoire and authentic approaches that build "ears", technique, and critical thinking. Explore ways to spice up your program with a variety of critical thinking, aural skills, and kinesthetic approaches. The clinicians will demo and discuss skills such as culturally appropriate bowings and extended techniques, questioning strategies, games, and lesson structures that embrace diversity, inclusion, and improvisation/composition.
Target Audience
string teachers and teachers in training
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Ruth Brittin
University of the Pacific
Ruth Brittin is Professor and Program Director of Music Education at University of the Pacific, since 1997. With her PhD in Education from Florida State University and MME and BME from Texas Tech University, she was chair of music education at Syracuse University for eight years and taught secondary instrumental music in Texas.
Dr. Brittin is an active researcher, clinician, conductor, adjudicator, and published composer for string ensembles and band. Her research focuses on music attitudes, perceptions, and preferences. She served for 18 years as chief editor for International Journal of Music Education and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. She publishes and presents research for the International Society for Music Education and NAfME, and state music education organizations, has chaired the ISME Research Commission, and is on NAfME’s SRME executive committee. Dr. Brittin served as Higher Education and Research Representative for CMEA for 25 years.
Ruth has received Pacific’s highest honor, the Eberhardt Teacher/Scholar Award, and Pacific’s Faculty Mentor Award. She supervises student teachers and teaches methods and lab ensemble courses and graduate research. Ruth authored the teacher manuals for The Yamaha Advantage instrumental method book and has formally supported study of approaches such as “The Mark O’Connor Method” and Modern Band with her students. Ruth has been a “Suzuki mom” for over 20 years and has taught in string settings as diverse as jazz, bluegrass and El Sistema.
Darcy Ford
Lincoln Unified School District
Darcy Ford is a public-school strings educator with 23 years of teaching experience. Having taught in Texas and California, Ms. Ford has worked in multiple school settings with students from various socio-economic backgrounds, ages, and ability levels. With her BM in Violin Performance from University of the Pacific and masters in Cross-Cultural Education from National University, Darcy is certified in the Suzuki Method, books 1-3. Darcy co-founded Stockton Soul, a 501c3 nonprofit Soul Orchestra educating and inspiring audiences through the performance of Black American Music. Since its inception in 2021, Stockton Soul has conducted school outreach programs about the History of Black American Music, educating over 4000 students, performing at camps and festivals, and leading professional development sessions for multiple school districts, businesses, and civic organizations. Stockton Soul was an “Artists in Residence” ensemble at the University of the Pacific for the 2022-2023 academic year. Darcy serves as CEO and Artistic Director of Stockton Soul and currently teaches in Lincoln Unified School District in Stockton, California. Darcy is studying the history and performance traditions of Black American music in relation to string education and pedagogy. She is a Fellow with the Black Banjo Fiddle Fellowship, (a joint project of the Oakland Public Conservatory, and the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention), resulting invitations to speak at national conferences such as International Bluegrass Association’s Roots Revival Black Stringband Symposium (2024) and ASTA. Darcy is on the board of the Foundation for the Advancement of String Education and is active in bringing the Bornoff approach to public school teachers and students.