Our students thrive when they identify with the music being taught. We will look at ways to teach multiple skills, build "ears," and develop critical thinking and expression. We will also share “out of the box” teaching ideas with different genres! Come learn about improvisation and stylistic approaches that are easy to embed in day-to-day teaching, with music selections that sequence good technique. We will explore resources and fun activities through pedagogies such as Suzuki and Bornoff.
Ruth Brittin
- Biographical Information
Ruth Brittin is Professor and Program Director of Music Education at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Dr. Brittin conducts, adjudicates, and clinics orchestras and bands in Northern California, such as the 2025 California Orchestra Directors Association High School String Orchestra, CMEA regional and country honor orchestras, and Cazadero Music Camp Junior HIgh Orchestra. Ruth also is a leader in music education research with International Society for Music Education, NAfME, and CMEA, having served as journal editor, as ISME Research Committee Commissioner for USA, and on the SRME executive committee. She holds Pacific's prestigious Eberhardt Teacher-Scholar and Outstanding Faculty Mentor awards, and CMEA's Higher Education award. She performs on horn in orchestras, wind ensembles, and chamber music.
An active composer, she writes for secondary, collegiate, and community ensembles (published by Excelcia and Wingert-Jones). Her pieces "Danza La Habana," "Golden Vistas," and "Beyond Words" have been featured at CMEA, such as with the All-State Jr. High Symphonic Band, and other regional and collegiate performances. Her string orchestra piece “As You Fly,” exploring improvisation, has been featured at conferences for American String Teachers Association and the California Orchestra Directors Association at CASMEC. As a composer and conductor, Ruth taps into her experience as a “Suzuki mom” for over 20 years and in her roles in instrumental music education. She enjoys supporting string players through their exploration of different genres.
Darcy Ford is a classically trained violinist and music educator with 25 years of teaching strings and orchestra in California and Texas public schools. She graduated from University of the Pacific and earned a Master’s Degree in Cross-Cultural Education from National University. Darcy is certified in Suzuki Method violin books 1-3. She teaches Elementary Strings and Middle School Orchestra in Stockton, California.
An active leader outside the classroom, she founded the non-profit Soul Orchestra, Stockton Soul, to educate, empower, and inspire audiences through the performance of Black Music. Stockton Soul has presented at dozens of schools and presented at universities, workshops, and conferences nationwide.
In 2023, Darcy was selected as an inaugural fellow in the Black Banjo Fiddle Fellowship by the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music. The paid fellowship focuses on spreading knowledge about the Black Roots of the banjo, fiddle, and Old-Time Music. An active participant in the California Bluegrass Association, Darcy was chosen as a panelist in the "Roots Revival" Black String Band Symposium at the International Bluegrass Music Association Festival in September of 2024.
Darcy serves on the Board of the Foundation for the Advancement of String Education, a charitable organization that promotes the philosophy and pedagogy of Dr. George Bornoff, providing financial support for the development of string education and teacher training. She is passionate about quality string education for all.