About Us

The University of Windsor Lab School: Strings is a centre for experiential learning that provides string instruction for students (ages 4-17), community development, pedagogical experiences for SoCA’s undergraduate students and graduate students as well as opportunities for high school students to gain volunteers hours. It is also a hub for research (supported by SSHRC) that supports new ideas in music pedagogy as well as cultural and community development.

Teaching

The University of Windsor Lab School: Strings offers music instruction for students ages 4 to 17 who wish to study the violin, viola, or cello through a curriculum that includes group class instruction, theory and master classes, chamber music, and performance opportunities at the University of Windsor’s School of Creative Arts. Instruction is based on the pedagogical philosophies of Mimi Zweig, Dr. Shinichi Suzuki, Paul Rolland, and Ivan Galamian, and will include diverse repertoire and styles.

Registration

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Our Team

   Dr. Vanessa Mio-Quiring is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor within the Faculty of Education and the Music Education (Continuing Education) departments at the University of Windsor. Vanessa completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies degree (with a focus on violin pedagogy) from the University of Windsor. Vanessa also earned a Master of Music, a Bachelor of Music, and a Performance Diploma in Violin Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where she studied violin with Mimi Zweig, Kathleen Winkler, Baroque violin with Stanley Ritchie, and string pedagogy with Mimi Zweig and Dr. Brenda Brenner.


Dr. Vanessa Mio-Quiring - Director of Lab

   Dr. Bruce Kotowich is Director of the School of Creative Arts at the University of Windsor.  He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, and Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honours including those from the Canada Arts Council, and the Manitoba Arts Council. In recognition of his outstanding pedagogical efforts particularly for part time students, he also received the University of Windsor’s Opus Award.


Dr. Bruce Kotowich - Director of the School of Creative Arts (SoCA)

   Ms. Scheirich is an Associate Professor of Violin at the University of Windsor and Concertmaster of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Windsor, she began studies in Detroit, and participated in summer studies at the prestigious Mozarteum, in Salzburg, Austria. Ms Scheirich studied violin at the Eastman School of Music with Gerardo Ribeiro, Catherine Tait, as well as piano with the late Emily David Vanderpool and received both performance and education degrees.


Ms. Lillian Scheirich - School of Creative Arts and Lab Mentor

  Dr. Sally Bick is professor of music at the School of Creative Arts.  She received her performance training in cello under the auspices of Janos Starker at Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music (Master of Music), later receiving a PhD in musicology at Yale University.  She has performed professionally with numerous professional organizations including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, The Canadian Opera Company, The National Ballet of Canada, Esprit Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and has concertized throughout the United States and Canada prior to her Musicological work.


Dr. Sally Bick - SoCA coordinator and Research Collaborator

   Dr. Bayley is a graduate of McGill University, the University of Alberta, University of Rochester (Eastman School of Music), and The Ohio State University. He is presently Professor Emeritus at the University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. He has been the Acting Director of the Joint PhD Program, Director of the School of Music (University of Windsor), and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Research, and Continuing Education (Faculty of Education).


Dr. Jonathan G. Bayley - Research Collaborator

   Michael Karloff is a faculty member in the School of Creative Arts at the University of Windsor. He is a multi-talented pianist, composer, arranger, conductor and musical director based in Windsor. Michael performs regularly as both a collaborative pianist and jazz pianist in Windsor and Detroit. Michael frequently performs with The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Windsor Symphony Orchestra Windsor Light Music Theatre, 4th Wall Music and Jazz at Mackenzie Hall. His original compositions and arrangements have been performed by The Windsor Symphony Orchestra, at The Detroit Jazz Festival and in various concert settings in Windsor.


Michael Karloff - Collaborative Pianist

   Originally from Windsor, Ontario, Dr. Adam Iannetta successfully completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts from Western University in 2019 and is quickly gaining notoriety as a versatile, up-and-coming performer

   Growing up in an Italian family, Adam has learned two very important things: you have to speak up if you ever want to be heard, and there is no such thing as a moment’s peace. You might say that his extroverted career is the result of his upbringing. Furthermore, Adam subscribes to these values as part of his way of living and always finds a way to keep himself busy. If he is not on stage, you will probably find him in his office.


Dr. Adam Iannetta - Research and Teaching Assistant

  Stefanie Adams is completing her Bachelor of Arts degree at University of Windsor's School of Creative Arts, where she studies violin performance. She has taught violin and piano throughout Windsor and Essex County for five years, and is passionate about making music education available for people of all ages and backgrounds. As well as teaching, Stefanie enjoys performing violin for weddings and local music events, and is Principal Second violinist for the Windsor Symphony Community Orchestra.


Stefanie Adams - Teaching Assistant

Research

   The University of Windsor Lab School: Strings is a centre and laboratory for research. Supported by SSHRC funding, the work of the lab focuses on how students learn and explore the implications of music study on our communities and is a collaborative endeavor that engages faculty, undergraduate and graduate students in the pursuit of this critical work. Our research assesses how string education may fulfill social benefits, well-being, cultural identification, integration, and belonging within the Canadian context. In the process of this research, we will establish innovative pedagogies and skills in string performance while building towards a continued understanding of how music can play a role in our politics, society and culture.

Research Team:
Dr. Vanessa Mio-Quiring – Principal Investigator
Dr. Sally Bick – Research Collaborator
Dr. Jonathan Bayley – Research Collaborator
Dr. Adam Iannetta – Research Assistant