Cambridge Studio helps Girl Scouts earn their badge

On Wednesday, Jan. 6, Cambridge Studio in Pingree Grove hosted a merit badge event for the local Brownie Girl Scout Troop 516.

Troop leader Kelly Yee reached out to Cambridge Studio to assist her troop in earning their "Create Your Own Legacy" Brownie badge. The girls chose to create their own music badge.

The excited young scouts sat in the front row of the Yellow School Kiva at Cambridge Lakes Charter School as four Cambridge Studio instructors introduced them to different areas of music performance.

Bethany Nelson, director of Cambridge Music Outreach, began by singing "Part of Your World" from Disney's "The Little Mermaid." She then spoke with the group about the importance of vocal warm-ups and correct singing posture. Nelson also challenged the girls to test their knowledge of what they had just learned by asking them to stand tall and sing through two fun vocal warm-up exercises.

Trumpet player Logan Andrews, a member of the music team, introduced the group to various brass instruments: trumpet, trombone and French horn. He talked about the mouthpieces that brass instruments have and had each girl come up and test one out. Many of the scouts giggled as they made duck-like noises while trying to buzz their lips on the mouthpiece. Andrews then played a little on the trumpet and fielded some questions from the troop.

Julie Schreiner, viola and Suzuki violin instructor at Cambridge Studio, talked to the girls about string instruments such as the violin, viola, cello and bass. She explained that the violin is the higher-sounding string instrument while the bass was the lowest. After a short tutorial, each Brownie got to come up and try out the violin. One scout learned the basics so quickly that Schreiner played a mini-duet with her.

Lastly, Yukiko Fujimura, director of Cambridge Studio and artist in residence at Cambridge Lakes Charter School, talked to the Brownies about the piano and its intricacies. Fujimura taught the group proper hand position and had a few come up and tickle the ivories while she played along.

All 10 Girl Scouts in attendance earned their "Create Your Own Legacy" Brownie badge for music. Members of the Cambridge Studio staff were thrilled to help Brownie Girl Scout Troop 516 achieve their goal and hope to help them continue to do so in the future.

If you or someone you know is interested in private music lessons at Cambridge Studio, call Dr. Yukiko Fujimura at (847) 600-4191 to schedule an exploratory lesson.