about nia strings
re-branded in 2017
Nia Strings started off as the Love of Strings Violin Program in 2010. It was re-branded in 2017 into what is now know as the Nia Strings Violin.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY NUBIA BENNETT, OCTOBER 2011
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WHAS11 NEWS REPORTER MAGGIE RUPER WITH NIA STRINGS STUDENTS (James Jr., Caleb, and Malik) *FORMALLY KNOWN AS LOVE OF STRINGS |
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“Art is not in some far-off place. A work of Art is the expression of a man's whole personality, sensibility and ability.”
- Dr. Shinichi Suzuki |
books & materials
for private lesson students
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In addition to using the Suzuki Violin books, I also have created my own African Based practice book, which is a beginners guide to learning violin, and weekly practice sheets. My students use both books during group as well as private lessons.
The Nia Strings Practice Book is available to students only, and goes along with a set of instructional videos located on the paid monthly Student Membership Page. |
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when students sign up for lessons
(group and private) they will be assigned to one of these color coded groups....
Note: I am registered to teach Suzuki Books 1-4. Click the link to see how the books are split up into levels. In this program I have split the groups into Early/Late beginners, Intermediate I & II
http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com/2011/12/suzuki-pathway-books-1-10-general.html
http://teachsuzuki.blogspot.com/2011/12/suzuki-pathway-books-1-10-general.html
Skill Levels by color:
Kiwango - Means "Level" in Kiswahili
Violn Music Lessons (according to Nia Strings) Level Progression (Kiwango is Kiswahili for “Level”) **All levels, excluding Level A, include teachings, methods, and practice of correct posturing/positioning. This is expounded on in Goge Method: Holistic Teaching and Learning – Volume I YELLOW, YORUBA TRIBE Kiwango A (Level A): The Womb This Kiwango is for mothers/parents who want their child to offer their unborn child an intentional musical experience within the womb. Parents can explore the roots and origins of different instruments, music genres, and deepen their knowledge and understanding of music for themselves, holistically developing a Love for music through various songs, music exercises and activities, quizzes and other resources that can benefit the parent as well as the unborn child. It is an opportunity to explore the connection between music and emotion, which is a benefit for both the individual as well as the unborn child. Being a part of the Nia Strings Family as Yellow Yoruba Tribe member you have complete access to the Red, Black, and Green Tribe web links. If you'd like to participate in any of the group classes, or if you just want to observe any of the classes for your future child, you are welcome and encouraged to do so at a monthly fee! Please ask the instructor for details. RED, HIMBA NAMIBIA TRIBE Kiwango B (Level B): Beginner – Open Strings, 1st-3rd fingers introduce (early & late beginner) This Kiwango is for early and late beginner students who are either totally new to, or are only slightly familiar with the violin (instrument) anywhere from 0 years to 6 months. At this level the student will develop their knowledge of music, their instruments origins, parts, notes and beginning sounds of the instrument (this includes open string exercises). Students who are already familiar with these things may need to revisit in order to move on to the next level. I teach beginners of all ages, early and late. Although it's great to start early it's also never too late to learn a wonderful new skill, such as playing the violin, and obtaining enjoyment from beautiful music and acquiring an appreciation for string music. 3 – 4 Years Old (depending on the individual) At this age, private lessons are usually challenging due to the child not yet having experience with the formal learning environment of kindergarten or school, although this would depend on the individual as every child is different. This is a perfect age to introduce the music basics of violin, but not focusing so much on the technique. This will be helpful in later private lessons. BLACK, ZULU TRIBE Kiwango C (Level C): Intermediate 1 – Open Strings, Familiar with 1st-3rd Fingers, 4th is introduced This Kiwango is for intermediate students who have more knowledge of the violin (instrument), and may have anywhere from 6 months to a little over a year of experience. During this level the student will experience open sting exercises as well as develop skills using 1st, 2nd 3rd, and some 4th fingerings. Student will be able to understand Proper violin posturing & positioning, bow placement, and can recall all the strings and parts of the violin with some difficulty. This can include late beginners, as long as they are comfortable with posturing & positioning, and can recall fingerings. GREEN, MASAI TRIBE Kiwango D (Level D): Intermediate 2 – Comfortable with 1st-4th Fingers, Understanding of Other Techniques & Positioning This Kiwango is for more advanced intermediate students whom already have had previous experience (more than a year) with playing the violin (instrument), but wishes to learn more or make improvements with their technique in order to progress beyond intermediate. It includes 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingering exercises as well as other advanced intermediate techniques. Understands Proper violin posturing & positioning, bow placement, and can recall all the strings and parts of the violin with ease. Determining Kiwango Placement to any of these levels is open to the discretion of the instructor, and will be based off of the individual’s abilities. Everyone is different, so therefore there is no way to determine how each student would do and what level they should be placed at until they are in the presence of an instructor. If one choses to go through this book on their own without an instructor, you would have to use your own discretion. It is encouraged that a student finds an instructor that fits the student’s needs, for the best possible results in learning how to play properly, but as I state in the next section, it is understood that this is not always possible for everyone due to financial reasons, time constraints, or various other demands. |
YELLOW, YORUBA TRIBE
The Womb/Prenatal Group 
RED, HIMBA NAMIBIA TRIBE
Beginner 
BLACK, ZULU TRIBE
Intermediate 1 
GREEN, MASAI TRIBE
Intermediate 2 |
note: when you become an "official" nia strings student, you will be emailed an access code with each monthly payment. look for one of these groups on the student membership page to access all of our online practice resources.
Why are skill levels grouped into color?
Black Liberation Flag Colors
The Pan-African flag, also referred to as the UNIA flag, Afro-American flag or Black Liberation Flag, is a tri-color flag consisting of three equal horizontal bands colored red, black and green. Red represents the blood that unites all people of African ancestry, and shed for liberation. Black represents black people whose existence as a nation, though not a nation-state, is affirmed by the existence of the flag Green represents the abundant natural wealth of Africa. Yellow is often included as a Pan African color, as it has been noted that several African flags include yellow, or gold in combinations with red, green, and black. In Egypt the yellow represents the color of happiness and prosperity, but also the color of the Egyptian Pyramids. In African flags the black represents "the color of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong", red is the bloodline that links cultures together, green represents vast vegetation, and gold, or yellow if present, is sunshine.
The Pan-African flag, also referred to as the UNIA flag, Afro-American flag or Black Liberation Flag, is a tri-color flag consisting of three equal horizontal bands colored red, black and green. Red represents the blood that unites all people of African ancestry, and shed for liberation. Black represents black people whose existence as a nation, though not a nation-state, is affirmed by the existence of the flag Green represents the abundant natural wealth of Africa. Yellow is often included as a Pan African color, as it has been noted that several African flags include yellow, or gold in combinations with red, green, and black. In Egypt the yellow represents the color of happiness and prosperity, but also the color of the Egyptian Pyramids. In African flags the black represents "the color of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong", red is the bloodline that links cultures together, green represents vast vegetation, and gold, or yellow if present, is sunshine.
african tribes
I intentionally named the skill levels after actual Tribes in Africa.
For More Info Check Out These Links...
it takes a village!
After you sign up for lessons and make your payment, you automatically gain access to the Nia Strings Student Membership Page of online resources!
You will have access to:
Online Games, Exercises and Activities, Quizzes, Music, Videos, Diagrams, and other useful information!
You will have access to:
Online Games, Exercises and Activities, Quizzes, Music, Videos, Diagrams, and other useful information!