After many years of playing the violin, I've developed a warm up/practice routine...now I wonder if it needs a shake up. Over the next few short weeks, I'm preparing for a performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion. I don't perform regularly, I'm not a concert violinist by any means and much of the work I do is with community ensembles. Nevertheless, my standards for myself are high. This routine is something I've developed after years of Conservatorium study, lessons with wonderful teachers and from learning all I can from YouTube. We're so lucky we live in a time where we have access to the great masters and it's truly inspiring. In case you're wondering, the books mentioned in this episode include: Carl Flesh Scale System Simon Fischer Basics Schradieck school of Violin Technique The Dounis Collection (Fischer) Kreutzer 42 etudes The videos you see popping up are from my Instagram and TikTok channels, and I'll post them on YouTube shorts as well. Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/alexandralouiseharris TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@Violettavenetianviolin Website:https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com Stories are a huge part of why I love music. The books you can see in the background are Violetta's adventures in Venice and Paris, where she time-travels through magical means to meet Vivaldi and Paganini.... I'm living vicariously. As I mention, please do reach out and let me know your practice routine, or email me with any questions you have at all at alexandra@alexandralousieharris.com The podcast mentioned by @balletwithisabella is called A Dancer's Mindset. A fantastic listen for performers in any discipline.

Who says weight lifting only happens in gyms? Those tiny but mighty violin muscles will certainly get a workout with this collection.

The closest I've come to dancing ballet was an adult beginner class. Nevertheless, I believe there is much in common between the two disciplines.

I've never been good at tenths. I blame my small hands, but I wonder if it's just lack of practice? Or perhaps I just need a different outfit.

Do you love an old fashioned fairy tale with a twist? Then this book is for you. This week Alexandra and Ferdinand discuss Fairyland The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making. by Catherynne M. Valente. It’s an action packed adventure filled with folklore, strong characters and suspense, and another story for your CBCA Children's Bookweek ideas. What is the series symphony of stories? Creating Stories Through Music is what Alexandra is passionate about. This series celebrates music in middle-grade books and there are wonderful themes in novels of that genre. Courage, friendship, kindness and prevailing against evil or injustice are so inspiring for young readers. They’re also really enjoyable for parents and children to read together. The CBCA celebrates book week in August and a weekly planner can be downloaded at https://cbca.org.au. Do you have some favourite musical novels? If you do, Alexandra would love to hear about them and you can email her at alexandra@alexandralouiseharris.com. Links and giveaways: Violetta’s adventures: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com. Blog article: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/post/fairyland Free Wicked Witch mask template giveaway: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/product-page/wicked-witch-pdf-download Free Pumpkin mask giveaway: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/product-page/pdf-download-of-the-pumpkin-head #childrensbookstagram #cbcabookweek #musicalchildrensbooks #creatingstoriesthroughmusic Alexandra’s website: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandralouiseharris/# Youtube animated violin videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvI1annJ7Bny5dY1sYGsSBSM https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvJeO_ZHQRAMtBs_DGcSRk7_ This has been created: This episode has been created using Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe Fresco for illustrations, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Indesign which Alexandra also uses to design her novels. The music in the episode is Paganini’s Witch’s Dance from the Violetta and the Paganini Poltergeist album Alexandra created using GarageBand and Ableton Live. You can find out more about her recording process in these YouTube series. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvKs6-l2WF3IUAYoh2MamTix https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvLS9NqZYLt_M9dU6LrTLUzO About Alexandra Louise Harris Alexandra Louise Harris is a violinist and teacher with a passion for writing. She has designed and illustrated her novels, Violetta and the Venetian Violin and the Problem with Paganini, along with the violin videos for Signore Maggiorino and the Eight Rarest Sounds and Pierette and all the Magic of the Universe. Each Violetta book also has an album and arrangements of Vivaldi and Paganini’s music for violinists of all levels.

Creatively composed scene descriptions and a song at the beginning of each chapter, this is a book for musical lovers. This week Alexandra and Ferdinand discuss The Right Way to Rock by Nat Amore, a book that rocks the musical theatre genre. Creating Stories Through Music is what Alexandra is passionate about. This series celebrates music in middle-grade books and there are wonderful themes in novels of that genre. Courage, friendship, kindness and prevailing against evil or injustice are so inspiring for young readers. They’re also really enjoyable for parents and children to read together. The CBCA celebrates book week in August and a weekly planner can be downloaded at https://cbca.org.au. Question. Do you have some favourite musical novels? If you do, Alexandra would love to hear about them and you can email her at alexandra@alexandralouiseharris.com. Link to blog and free giveaway: Violetta’s adventures: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com. Blog article: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/post/the-right-way-to-rock Free pop orchestra giveaway: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/projects #childrensbookstagram #cbcabookweek #musicalchildrensbooks #creatingstoriesthroughmusic Alexandra’s website: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandralouiseharris/# Youtube animated violin videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvI1annJ7Bny5dY1sYGsSBSM https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvJeO_ZHQRAMtBs_DGcSRk7_ This has been created: This episode has been created using Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe Fresco for illustrations, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Indesign which Alexandra also uses to design her novels. The music in the episode is a mix of Ravel and Paganini from the Violetta and the Paganini Poltergeist album which Alexandra created using GarageBand and Abelton Live. You can find out more about her recording process in these YouTube series. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvKs6-l2WF3IUAYoh2MamTix https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvLS9NqZYLt_M9dU6LrTLUzO About Alexandra Louise Harris Alexandra Louise Harris is a violinist and teacher with a passion for writing. She has designed and illustrated her novels, Violetta and the Venetian Violin and the Problem with Paganini, along with the violin videos for Signore Maggiorino and the Eight Rarest Sounds and Pierette and all the Magic of the Universe. Each Violetta book also has an album and arrangements of Vivaldi and Paganini’s music for violinists of all levels.

A harp that talks, sings…and there’s more fairy tale mystery to behold. What is in the episode This week Alexandra and Ferdinand discuss the Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer and if you enjoy fairytale kingdoms with a twist of Narnia and time slip then The Land of Stories are the books for you. Creating Stories Through Music is what Alexandra is passionate about. This series celebrates music in middle-grade books and there are wonderful themes in novels of that genre. Courage, friendship, kindness and prevailing against evil or injustice are so inspiring for young readers. They’re also really enjoyable for parents and children to read together. The CBCA celebrates book week in August and a weekly planner can be downloaded at https://cbca.org.au. Do you have some favourite musical novels? If you do, Alexandra would love to hear about them and you can email her at alexandra@alexandralouiseharris.com. Links and this weeks giveaway: Violetta’s adventures: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com. Blog article: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/post/the-land-of-stories Free eBook giveaway: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/signoremaggiorino #childrensbookstagram #cbcabookweek #musicalchildrensbooks #creatingstoriesthroughmusic #childrensbookweek2026 #childrensbooks #bookweek Alexandra’s website: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandralouiseharris/# Youtube animated violin videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvI1annJ7Bny5dY1sYGsSBSM https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvJeO_ZHQRAMtBs_DGcSRk7_ This episode has been created using Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe Fresco for illustrations, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Indesign which Alexandra also uses to design her novels. The music in the episode is Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique from the Violetta and the Paganini Poltergeist album Alexandra created using GarageBand and Ableton Live. You can find out more about her recording process in these YouTube series. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvKs6-l2WF3IUAYoh2MamTix https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvLS9NqZYLt_M9dU6LrTLUzO About Alexandra Louise Harris Alexandra Louise Harris is a violinist and teacher with a passion for writing. She has designed and illustrated her novels, Violetta and the Venetian Violin and the Problem with Paganini, along with the violin videos for Signore Maggiorino and the Eight Rarest Sounds and Pierette and all the Magic of the Universe. Each Violetta book also has an album and arrangements of Vivaldi and Paganini’s music for violinists of all levels.

If you wish to be moved, inspired, and amazed by an incredible middle-grade story, Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan is the book for you. This week Alexandra and Ferdinand discuss Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Four stories within one, involving a magical harmonica, a whole lot of heart and of course music. What is the series? Creating Stories Through Music is what Alexandra is passionate about. This series celebrates music in middle-grade books and there are wonderful themes in novels of that genre. Courage, friendship, kindness and prevailing against evil or injustice form inspiring stories for young readers. They’re also really enjoyable for parents and children to read together. The CBCA celebrates book week in August and a weekly planner can be downloaded at https://cbca.org.au. Do you have some favourite musical novels? If you do, Alexandra would love to hear about them and you can email her at alexandra@alexandralouiseharris.com. Links to blog and violin book: Violetta’s adventures: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com. Blog article: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/post/echo-by-pam-mu%C3%B1oz-ryan An album to inspire your musical story giveaway: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/paganinipoltergeist #childrensbookstagram #cbcabookweek #musicalchildrensbooks #creatingstoriesthroughmusic #classicalmusicforkids #symphonyofstories Alexandra’s website: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandralouiseharris/# Youtube animated violin videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvJeO_ZHQRAMtBs_DGcSRk7_ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvI1annJ7Bny5dY1sYGsSBSM This has been created: This episode has been created using Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe Fresco and Adobe Photoshop for illustrations, and Adobe Indesign which Alexandra also uses to design her novels. The music in the episode is Debussy’s Clair de Lune from the Violetta and the Paganini Poltergeist album Alexandra created using GarageBand and Ableton Live. You can find out more about her recording process in the following YouTube series. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvKs6-l2WF3IUAYoh2MamTix https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvLS9NqZYLt_M9dU6LrTLUzO About Alexandra Louise Harris Alexandra Louise Harris is a violinist and teacher with a passion for writing. She has designed and illustrated her novels, Violetta and the Venetian Violin and the Problem with Paganini, along with the violin videos for Signore Maggiorino and the Eight Rarest Sounds and Pierette and all the Magic of the Universe. Each Violetta book also has an album and arrangements of Vivaldi and Paganini’s music for violinists of all levels.

This book is Harry Potter's Hogwarts, meets Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart's Magical Flute…and there’s even a recorded soundtrack. This week Alexandra and Ferdinand discuss The Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury. A magical adventure with a soundtrack recorded by the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra. What is the series? Creating Stories Through Music is what Alexandra is passionate about. This series celebrates music in middle-grade books and there are wonderful themes in novels of that genre. Courage, friendship, kindness and prevailing against evil or injustice form inspiring stories for young readers. They’re also really enjoyable for parents and children to read together. The CBCA celebrates book week in August and a weekly planner can be downloaded at https://cbca.org.au. Do you have some favourite musical novels? If you do, Alexandra would love to hear about them and you can email her at alexandra@alexandralouiseharris.com. Links to blog and violin book: Violetta’s adventures: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com. Blog article: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com/post/the-mystwick-school-of-musicraft Free Vivaldi book giveaway: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com when you sign up to Alexandra’s seasonal newsletter. #childrensbookstagram #cbcabookweek #musicalchildrensbooks #creatingstoriesthroughmusic #classicalmusicforkids Alexandra’s website: https://www.alexandralouiseharris.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandralouiseharris/# Youtube animated violin videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvJeO_ZHQRAMtBs_DGcSRk7_ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvI1annJ7Bny5dY1sYGsSBSM This has been created: This episode has been created using Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe Fresco and Adobe Photoshop for illustrations, and Adobe Indesign which Alexandra also uses to design her novels. The music in the episode is Paganini’s Concerto no.4 from the Violetta and the Paganini Poltergeist album Alexandra created using GarageBand and Ableton Live. You can find out more about her recording process in the following YouTube series. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvKs6-l2WF3IUAYoh2MamTix https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5sXjvLZhvLS9NqZYLt_M9dU6LrTLUzO About Alexandra Louise Harris Alexandra Louise Harris is a violinist and teacher with a passion for writing. She has designed and illustrated her novels, Violetta and the Venetian Violin and the Problem with Paganini, along with the violin videos for Signore Maggiorino and the Eight Rarest Sounds and Pierette and all the Magic of the Universe. Each Violetta book also has an album and arrangements of Vivaldi and Paganini’s music for violinists of all levels.