Music Notes: October 2026
KSA summer travels
Good musicians are always learning and growing. As Dr. Baldwin shares, “The summertime playing and teaching both renew and inspire me each summer. These experiences replenish my own desire to create and to educate others.”
High school cellists spent a week in immersed in music: Lydia Toth at Interlochen Cello Intensive in Michigan; Julian van Gyzen and Yachen Ren at Ursus String Camp at UTK. Marguerite MacDonald, grade 7, took part in the Greater Austin Suzuki Academy intensive in Texas. Many KSA students participated in the KSYO summer music camp.
Wesley Baldwin, cello, taught and performed at Aria International Academy in Massachusetts, Ursus String Camp, and the Michigan City Chamber Music Festival.
Adam Ayers, cello, is principal cello of the Des Moines Metro Festival Opera which performed Tosca by Puccini, Of Mice and Men by Carlisle Floyd and King Roger by Szymanowski this summer.
Nora Connelly, violin, completed a level of Suzuki teacher training at the Virginia Suzuki Institute. Congratulations!
October and November Group Classes
Cello – October 3 & 17; November 7
- 10-11 am Cello Pre-Twinkle & Book 1
- 11 am-12 Cello Books 2-3
- 12-1 pm Advanced Cello
Piano – October 17; November 7 & 14
12-1 pm Piano Group Class
Violin - October 17 & 24; November 7
11 am-12 pm
Teacher of the Month – Alla Ousley, piano
Alla grew up in Ukraine and started piano at age 6, learning piano, solfège, music literature, and choir twice weekly at a music school. The Suzuki method uses many of the classical pieces Alla learned as a child. Teaching them brings back many happy memories for her.
Alla loves “having the opportunity to work with each student individually. Every child comes from a different environment, has different interests, and experiences the world in their own way. Some children love ballet; some love LEGO or cars.” She enjoys “exploring different ways to explain rhythm, sound, and patterns through the things children already love and understand, and then connecting those ideas to music. I believe rhythm and patterns are everywhere around us, and music is one of the clearest ways to understand and express the world.”
We are grateful to have such a wise, caring teacher as part of our faculty. Thanks, Alla!
Congratulations, KSA alum Jackson Sharp
Jackson Sharp, KSA alum and substitute faculty member, is the winner of the Scruffy City Orchestra Concerto Competition Young-Adult division! He has studied with Dr. Baldwin for 12 years. Jackson is a priority sub with Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and he is excited to report he will be playing in most of their Masterwork concerts this year. He also performs with the Amadeus Concert Ensemble and Oak Ridge Symphony.
Music and Mathematics are a great combination. Jackson will graduate from UTK in December 2026 with a dual-degree in Finance and Applied Music.
Prepare now for the Tennessee Cello Workshop: February 12-14, 2027
Enjoy playing with other cellists at the Tennessee Cello Workshop, which includes a vibrant mixture of group work, master classes, and recitals. All students receive helpful feedback from nationally and internationally esteemed faculty. Attendees also may participate in competitions, including an “un-competition” for those uncomfortable competing against others. These feature a set repertoire, making now the time to start preparations so you’re READY to go. TCW is in Knoxville and lots of fun!