Music is a communal activity that all of us LBSPY readers enjoy. We understand that rhythm and harmony brings us together, creating warm memories. We introduce you to HeartStrings Academy in Lewisburg WV. This is a school that encourages its students to be inspired through expression in music and the human spirit. They were founded on the idea that all of us have the capacity to express ourselves, and we all deserve to be shown how to do this. HeartStrings Academy offers classes in music, yoga, movement, fire and light dancing, massage, self-development, nutrition, and other areas related to creative expression.

Music is a language, and we are all hard-wired to learn language – Russell Fallstad.

HeartStrings Academy founder and director, Russell Fallstad, is highly experienced in both performance and classical education. Russell is a member of the popular rock-pop-hiphop violin duo, The Dueling Fiddlers. This group has traveled throughout the world and has appeared in venues from New York City’s Town Hall to The Rainbow Room in Hollywood, on PBS, and has a number of successful Youtube videos. Russell has also been a member of a classical string quartet called the Fry Street Quartet. For twelve (12) straight seasons, they toured internationally and recorded albums of classical masterpieces by Beethoven and other classical masters. Russell is not only an accomplished performer, he’s an experienced instructor as he spent 3 years at DePaul University in Chicago and 7 years at Utah State University designing and teaching music education courses for both BA and graduate levels.

Russell founded HeartStrings Academy with the premise that anyone and everyone can learn violin. Russell is certain that learning to play violin is as easy riding a bike. Once you learn to become proficient, through his instruction, you will have the skill for life. While Russell is focused on violin instruction, he makes sure that the academy offers a variety of other classes and services based on human development and expression.

At HeartStrings Academy you can take classes in all stringed instruments, baby/toddler music, pre-natal music, yoga, movement, nutrition, fire & light dancing, chi gong, culinary arts, rock instruments, voice, and self-development. A host of yoga teachers and daily yoga classes are available, and cost $12 for a drop in class, and $10 per class for a 5-class pass. Classes in nutrition guide you toward healthy living. The fire & light dancing is taught by local performer, Cari Cohen. Her instruction style is relaxed while focused on the art of movement with fire.

Not only does HeartStrings Academy offer classes in various subjects, they also have services such as massage, which start at $30 for 30 minute session or $65 for 60 minute session.

If you’re looking for a great Holiday gift this year, think of HeartStrings Academy. They encourage you to give the gift of music and art. For more information on HeartStrings Acamedy, visit them online: www.heartstringsacademy.com or call 435-232-2860.

– LBSPY #22 (Dec 17-31)