Natural Connections: Words & Music

Our next Natural Connections event is on January 20th at the Sandpoint Library. Our theme this month is music and words! We hope you’ll be interested in joining us for the full day but still feel free to drop in for parts of the program that interest you.

Here is our schedule for the day:

10 AM: Inspired to Begin

Revealed—a Passport to Dreams with Author Genie Higbee:

“What have You been dreaming to do?” Genie Higbee asks. Using her experience while writing The Violin Thief, a Curious Tale of Lost & Found, she shares a secret she chanced upon. It was hidden in plain sight! See, she hadn’t set out to write historical fiction. But history kept popping up, strangely mirroring her fictional characters in time and locale. Using this unexpected gift, she gathered more energy and added intrigue to her novel.

The author’s presentation heightens the reality of her startling discovery as it evolved—from the spark of an idea to a finished product. Best, the reality is available to each of us!

About the author:
Genie Higbee has been writing poetry and short stories for many decades, all the while infatuated with music, nature, libraries, and the Thesaurus. She graduated UCLA with a BFA, majoring in Art and Literature, continuing her education over the years with workshops led by authors, poets, and artists.
Higbee enjoys the long-term benefit of exposure to contrasting cultures: Southern California, Georgia, Ohio, and Province of Ontario, Canada. Since 2004 Genie and her husband Rick have made their home in Idaho, trading the sandy seashore of Southern California for the basalt edged shores of Hayden Lake.
As a graphic designer and art director, retired and given free rein, Genie seriously pursues oil painting. And writing—primarily novels. Her current work is historical fiction, with a stand-alone series: The Violin Thief, A Curious Tale of Lost & Found, published October 2022, and in progress, To Save a Thief and To Love a Thief. Previous publication, co-authored, Genie Frisbee (Higbee) and Melissa Farnsworth, Invented August, An Imperfect Escape to Capri, both novel and screenplay.
Ms. Higbee has been an active member of the 3CS Book Club since 2005, serving for 5 years as its Chairman, and currently as a Presenter and an Advisor.
You might find Genie observing nature, playing the piano, kayaking, reading-reading-reading, or creating in her studio.

Author website/blog: geniehigbee-art.com

To suspend the fleeting and impart significance… this is my passion and pursuit.

11 AM: Speaking to Music

Glide on Words & Music:

Catch this live audio event as a curious tale of lost & found comes to life!
Be swept away as author Genie Higbee and Musicians of Suzuki Academy engage your imagination. Expect drama with both reading and musical enactment of scenes from The Violin Thief, a novel.

Learning the Language of Music through the Suzuki Method:

The Directors of Suzuki String Academy Ruth Klinginsmith and Marianne Wall will share a heartfelt presentation on how Music can be a gateway to all types of learning and open potential in people of all ages. Learning a musical instrument is a powerful tool in developing character, perseverance, patience, confidence and self-discipline. We focus on who we are becoming when we learn. Music is a language of connection, expression, healing and a way to cultivate appreciation for the beauty around us. Music touches the heart and changes lives. Let’s create positive change in our community and the world around us by making music an active part of our lives.

About the Suzuki String Academy:
The vision of Suzuki String Academy is to create family and community connections through music by investing in the future of our children and providing a supportive and thriving active Suzuki Community in North Idaho. Suzuki not only cultivates important life skills and character in students through music, but also helps them foster a lifelong companionship with their instrument and music.

In the Spring of 2019 Ruth Klinginsmith and Marianne Wall had a BIG dream of creating a thriving and active Suzuki School in Sandpoint Idaho. Music had played an integral part in each of their lives and they wanted to share that gift with the families in their community. The Suzuki Philosophy resonated with each of them deeply which focuses on the character development of the student first, starting training at an early age and integrating parent involvement within a supportive environment.

Academy website: suzukistringacademy.com

12:30 PM: Good Music, Good Company

Come enjoy a fun engaging live music presentation performed by Suzuki String Academy students of all ages. This will be a great event for the whole family!
Feel free to BYO lunch to relax and listen while you eat.

1 PM: Drawn to Music

When Color Sings—Creating Art through Music:

This unusual hands-on event will draw out your natural creativity. Can’t draw a straight line? No problem. Listen to differing musical prompts, see a variety of inspiring visuals, and enjoy a rewarding multi-sensory experience. Guided by author/artist Genie Higbee, each participant, experienced or not, will be able to create several artworks worthy of framing. Art materials supplied by the Library.