Violinist joins music teachers at public school

Matthew Olson was a prodigy. He has studied violin all his life.

"I started when I was three," Olson said.

His study of the violin led him to the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music where he studied under internationally known and acclaimed violinist Benny Kim. From there, Olson became the youngest concert master of the Kansas City Symphony Ballet Orchestra. Olson remembers what is was like to play with an orchestra at the age of 18.

"It sounded wonderful," he said.

Olson, who splits his time between Orcas Island and Bellingham, is now having an influence on music students not much younger than he was then.

Part of IM: In Music, a program of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival, Olson is in classrooms at Orcas public school two days each week working closely with music students as OICMF’s first technique coach. Olson began working with students Nov. 1.

"I think it's pretty impressive what we're doing, and I'm so pleased that we're able to support this," artistic director Aloysia Friedmann said. "I have nothing but respect for Matthew, as a violinist, a musician, and a teacher."

According to executive director Victoria Parker, Olson's role has launched an innovative approach to offerings as an extension of OICMF's Musician-in-Residence program for grades K-12.

The program reaches youth in the school setting by offering hands-on experiences as well as opportunities to attend classical music performances and be inspired by artists of national acclaim and students of advanced study.

Music teacher Pamela Wright has Matthew in two of her classes: Early Morning Strings and 5th and 6th Grade Strings. Wright is grateful that Orcas public school has been able to offer music to students at a young age and knows her school is the exception.

Wright believes if she hadn't had music education in school, she might not have graduated, explaining she needed a medium to express her feelings, whether sadness or anger, and used music to do that. Wright said the experience of being a middle school student is emotional and all kids need an outlet of some kind.

"Music saves my soul. It saves me. It's a gift and I'm supposed to share it," Wright said.

Olson, who teaches violin privately at Orcas String Studio, has found teaching music combines two of his loves: violin and teaching.

"I've always loved teaching. I found I loved working with children because they showed excitement and interest. Some of them clearly love the instrument," Olson said.

Music teacher Lizz Hanks appreciates Olson's attention to detail and believes his presence in her classroom provides a good model of musicianship and raises the bar for everything her students are learning.

"I think the kids benefit in so many ways by having Matthew in our class. He has such a gentle and focused approach to students," Hanks said. "It's a remarkable opportunity for them to be able to use these fine artists as role models."

Olson admits the violin isn't for everybody, explaining that physically it is one of the most awkward and difficult instruments to learn.

"None of it is what any of the arms have done before," Olson said.

The addition of a technique coach to the IM program augments the seasonal role of teaching artist Monique Mead, who will visit Orcas in the spring for a week of focused master classes.

OICMF board president Valerie Anders explained that Mead specializes in inspiring children to music, and the idea of adding a resident musician like Olson was conceived by OICMF to make the program more widespread and consistent.

"I think it's a great way to have continuity between the visit of Monique and the various artists that come and give classes to the strings. Matthew can provide that link," Anders said.

Orcas residents Anders and her husband, Bill, have sponsored the program along with Mimi and Slim Sommerville and the Olga Symphony.

"It is a great way for me to assist the teachers here and to make string programs more successful than they already are, because they are already doing a good job," Olson said.

Although thriving, Olson said the music program could always use donations of more instruments, and that donors even have the opportunity to name the instrument donated.

"The changes this year reflect the progress being made by the school's music program, in particular the strings program," Parker said.

"I believe every child has the right to have this," Wright said.

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