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!
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- New England Suzuki Institute, Bates
College, Lewiston, ME., from 1994-2005
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
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 samplepe 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. The more beginning musicians always 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. This particular dance is one of our favorites: a Ukranian
dance..
2009 - 2010 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 Kanack School in Rochester (585)244-6910, 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)
Beginning
of the year! Tuition is paid monthly, at the beginning of each
month.
14
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
15
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
16
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
No Class
17
Ithaca Studio
No Class
Practice
Marathon begins! Begin practicing 100 days in a row. Learn how
you are a new practicer with each year. Parents read one book
about the creative process and discuss it during class.
Sera
performs with the Cayuga Chamber orchestra
21
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
22
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
23
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
24
Ithaca Studio
Sera
performs in Woodstock NY with pianist Syau Cheng Lai, live improvised
accompaniment to six silent films at the Tinker Street theater.
October
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
Special Events
28
No Lessons
29
No Lessons
30
No Lessons
1
No Lessons
5
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
6
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
7
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
No Class
8
Ithaca Studio
No Class
12
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
13
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
14
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
15
Ithaca Studio
19
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
20
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
21
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
22
Ithaca Studio
26
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
27
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
28
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
29
Ithaca Studio
November
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
Special Events
2
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
3
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
4
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
5
Ithaca Studio
Sera
performs with Tom Mank
Soul Full Cup, Corning NY 8pm
9
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
10
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
11
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
No Class
12
Ithaca Studio
No Class
16
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
17
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
18
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
19
Ithaca Studio
Sera
performs with Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Nov. 14 - Ithaca College
8pm
23
No Lessons
24
No Lessons
25
No Lessons
26
No Lessons
Thanksgiving
Break
December
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
Special Events
31
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
1
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
2
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
3
Ithaca Studio
Sera
performing Shostakovich String qt No 8 with Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
Chamber Series (Sunday Dec. 6)
7
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
8
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
9
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
10
Ithaca Studio
14
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
15
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
16
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
17
Ithaca Studio
Group
Class performance at Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen Ithaca NY
(TBA)
21
No Lessons
22
No Lessons
23
No Lessons
24
No Lessons
Holidays
28
No Lessons
29
No Lessons
30
No Lessons
31
No Lessons
Holidays
January
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
Special Events
4
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
5
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
6
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
Party TBA
7
Ithaca Studio
Party TBA
100
Days Party
Time and place TBA
11
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
12
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
13
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
No Class
14
Ithaca Studio
No Class
18
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
19
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
20
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
21
Ithaca Studio
25
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
26
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
27
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
No Class
28
Ithaca Studio
No Class
Composers
Project begins
February
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
Special Events
1
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
2
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
3
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
4
Ithaca Studio
Sera
performs Rebecca Clarke Piano Trio Cayuga Chamber Orchestra chamber
series, sunday Feb 14. 4p
8
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
9
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
10
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
No Class
11
Ithaca Studio
No Class
February
20 Sera Guest Clinician Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto
Ontario Canada
15
No Lessons
16
No Lessons
17
No Lessons
18
No Lessons
Winter
Break
22
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
23
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
24
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
25
Ithaca Studio
March
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
Special Events
1
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
2
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
3
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
No Class
4
Ithaca Studio
No Class
Sera
guest clinician in Guelph Ontario Canada
8
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
9
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
10
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
11
Ithaca Studio
15
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
16
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
17
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
No Class
18
Ithaca Studio
No Class
Cayuga
Chamber Orchestra concert Ithaca college Ford Hall 8pm
22
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
23
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
24
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
25
Ithaca Studio
Composer's
Concert--March 26
April
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
Special Events
29
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
30
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
31
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
No Class
1
Ithaca Studio
No Class
5
No Lessons
6
No Lessons
7
No Lessons
8
No Lessons
Spring
Break
12
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
13
Kanack School, Rochester, NY
14
Ithaca Waldorf School
Ithaca Studio
15
Ithaca Studio
Cayuga
Chamber Orchestra concert Ithaca college Ford Hall 8pm April 24
= Group classes in Ithaca Studio
=
Performance, holiday or special event