Abby Newton - Teaching

For 18 years Abby has been going into inner-city classrooms in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens to introduce children to traditional music. As part of a program sponsored by Symphony Space she makes two visits each to about 30 classrooms a year. Many of the kids she works with have never seen a fiddle or cello and have had contact with traditional tunes and songs only through the distortions of popular media. Her presentations parallel the American history curriculum. Her music brings history to life in the classroom.

(Abby) was wonderful. Her music filled the room and mesmerized the kids with its bag-pipe imitation. They were enthralled with the detailed description of the instrument and eager to make their own. Michelle Ajami/ teacher PS 54

...an uplifting spiritual exposure to traditional music as it applies to the elementary school curriculum! Barbara Steiner/ 4th grade teacher

Abby directs workshops on the cello in traditional music. For seven years she was the cello instructor at the Valley of the Moon Scottish Music Camp in California. Recently she has conducted workshops in Scotland for the Glasgow Fiddlers (in Glasgow) and at the Balnain House, Inverness. She is available to teach workshops year-round. For information email: abby@abbynewton.com or write: Abby Newton/ PO Box 67 Shokan, NY 12481