Alyssa Blackstone Weldon

Alyssa Blackstone Weldon, Teacher and Violinist

Alyssa is an enthusiastic violin/viola teacher holding her Master’s degree from the Yale School of Music and her Bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music.  She is a registered Suzuki teacher in all violin books as well as an accomplished music theory teacher.

Passionate about teaching, Mrs. Blackstone Weldon has taught at every age level for the past 10 years, believing that music is powerful for all ages and anyone can learn an instrument. Mrs. Blackstone Weldon has performed with numerous orchestras including the Kennett Symphony, The Newark Symphony, Cleveland Pops, and Firelands Symphony Orchestra. Enjoying orchestral work, she was the concertmaster during her time with the Yale Philharmonia and Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. As a prizewinner at various competitions, she has played for numerous professionals including David Kim, Jan Sloman, the Julliard String Quartet, and even First Lady Laura Bush.

Because of her extensive experience in orchestra, chamber music, and solo performance, Mrs. Blackstone Weldon brings a high level of teaching to each student with a love for laughter, growth, and a genuine relationship with each student. Additionally, she enjoys working with orchestral ensembles, coaching chamber music, and helping her students experiment with music composition. Mrs. Blackstone Weldon enjoys playing folk, pop, and especially jazz, introducing her students to these genres as well.  Frequently, Mrs. Blackstone Weldon performs at retirement homes, works with non-profits, and ministers in her church to give back in the community. When she does not have a violin in her hand, Mrs. Blackstone Weldon enjoys hiking, playing basketball, photography, and a good cup of coffee.

Yale School of Music: Master of Music 2018 in Violin Performance, Viola secondary focus
- Theory Teaching Assistant
- 4.00 GPA
Cleveland Institute of Music: Bachelor of Music 2016 in Violin Performance, Suzuki/Education Minor
- Certified Suzuki Teacher – Books 1-10
- Completed Every Child Can training
- 3.89 GPA
Teaching Experience
- Maintains a private violin studio since January 2010 with 10+ students
- Helps organize a summer music composition camp for 6th-12th grade (2014—present)
- Theory Teaching Assistant at Yale School of Music
Taught graduate level theory classes – class length 1 hour and 15 minutes
Composed theory tests for graduate students
Ran theory exams and piano proficiency exams
Graded papers weekly – class size of 20+
- Highly involved in the Sato Center for Suzuki Studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music for 3 year
- Led group classes
- Taught private lessons 4-16 years old
- Assisted with administrative duties
- Directed high school orchestra for West Chester Christian School
- Organized all sectionals, coachings, and concerts for 2 years
Skills
- Organized 2+ benefit concerts to support non-profit organizations
- Communicated with venues, musicians, and donors
- Worked with urban youth and diverse backgrounds
- Prepared programs and event details
- Designed advertisement materials

• Grew and managed numerous kid’s programs at local church
• Directed a team of 15+ workers for summer kid’s program lasting 3 months

• Maintained a positive, supportive, and educational environment for workers and children

• Developed and led the music program for children’s summer camp 

• Chose vocal and choir music for classes and performances

• Participated in Community Outreach Program at CIM (2012 – 2016)

• Assisted in organizing concerts to retirement communities and schools

Additional Studies
- Piano and Choral Experience for 6+ years
- Improvisation/Arranging Experience
- Studies in Business and Accounting
Solo Violin Experience

Solo Performances
- Degree Recitals at Cleveland Institute of Music (2013—2016)
- Performed at Juilliard’s Starling-Delay Symposium (2015)
- Prokofiev’s Concerto no. 1—mvt.1 with the Colorado College Summer Music Festival Orchestra (2013)
- Vieuxtemp’s Concerto no. 5 in A minor with the Newark Symphony Orchestra (2012)
- Vivaldi’s Winter on the Immaculate Symphony’s Winter Concert Series (2011)
- Vieuxtemp’s Souvenir d’Amerique with the Kennett Symphony at Longwood Gardens (2011)

Orchestral Experience

• Firelands Symphony Orchestra – (2013 – present)
• Cleveland Pops Orchestra – (2013 – present)
• CIM Opera Orchestra (2012 and 2015)
• Colorado College Festival – Concertmaster (2013)
• Philadelphia Youth Orchestra – Concertmaster (2009—2012)

Chamber Music

• Intensive Quartet Seminar—CIM (2013—2015)
• Intensive Duo Program – CIM (2015)
• New Music/Composer’s Recital (2015)
• Coaches—Cavani Quartet, Peter Salaff, Jon Nakamatsu, Erin Fisher, and other artists

Festivals and Seminars

• Student Artist at Juilliard’s Starling-Delay Symposium (2015)
• Cambridge International String Academy (2015)
• Colorado College Summer Music Festival (2013)
• Center Stage Strings (2012)
• Strings International Music Festival (2009)

Competitions

• 2014 Darius Milhaud Performance Prize Competition – 1st place
• Colorado College Concerto Competition – 1st place
• Newark Symphony Young Artists Competition – 1st place
• Kennett Symphony Competition – 1st place

Master classes

- Rodney Friend (Concertmaster of London Philharmonic)
- David Kim (Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra)
- Ronald Copes (Violinist of Juilliard Quartet)
- Jan Sloman (Principal Associate Concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra)
- Donald Weilerstein (Violinist of Cleveland Quartet)
- Daniel Heifetz (Soloist – Founder and Artistic Director of Heifetz International Music Institute)
- Juilliard Quartet
- Albers Trio