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Welcome to the Creative World
of Caren and Paul Umbarger
Private Music Teachers, Professional Musicians, Authors & Visual Artists living in St. Augustine, FLPrivate Music Lessons
Caren: Violin, Viola & Cello
Paul: Piano, Guitar, Banjo, Bass, Trumpet & Uke
The Island Duet
An eclectic Violin/Guitar/Vocal duet performing
live music for Weddings and Special Events throughout NE Florida and beyond.
Original Recordings / Live Shows
THE SONGS OF MARTA, 2018 - CD
THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE, 2016 - CD
NEW WORLD ARISING, 2015 - CD
Published Books
THE PASSION OF MARTA, 2017
by Caren Umbarger
CREATING BEAUTY: FOUR GENERATIONS OF
AMERICAN ARTISTS, 2017
by Paul Umbarger
COMING TO: A MIDWESTERN TALE, 2011
by Caren Umbarger
Original Paintings
Caren Umbarger
Caren began playing violin at age 5. She studied at Bennington College and earned a BA in Music from Hamline University. She raised three children, taught hundreds of violin and viola students in her private studio, and performed classical music in professional chamber groups. She also taught at The International School of Minnesota and St. Paul Academy and Summit School. Her mentors include Dr. Jean Montes, Marina Liadova, Alexs Pate, Jonathan May, and Lucas Drew.
When Caren met her husband, Paul, she gained two step-sons and played electric violin in his eight piece show band, Blue Daddies. In 2005 they co-founded a non-profit, Artistic Youth Ensembles of Minnesota (AYEM), and Caren served as Artistic Director for 5 years. When the Umbargers moved to Florida in 2010, they formed The Island Duet and Caren served as Artistic Director of the Flagler Youth Orchestra in Palm Coast for 3 years.
Caren Umbarger is also an award winning author. Her first novel, Coming To: A Midwestern Tale, won a 2011 Florida Book Award. The Passion of Marta, her second novel, won a 2017 Nautilus Book Award, was a finalist for both the National Indie Excellence Awards and the Sarton Women's Book Award, and was shortlisted for the Chanticleer Goethe Awards. She is currently writing her third novel. Caren enjoys cooking, dancing, bike rides, canoeing, reading, and long walks in nature.
Contact Info for Caren Umbarger
Email caren@umbart.com or call 904-501-3640
Paul Umbarger
Paul Umbarger started playing piano, guitar, and trumpet at age 10. After earning a BA in History and Political Science at Duke, he spent eighteen months performing professionally with his brother, Jim, in a guitar/vocal duet called The U-Two.
At 30, Paul studied painting at the Marchutz School in Aix-en-Provence and spent two years in the south of France working from the landscape and doing solo exhibitions. He’s been painting ever since. In the same vein, he ran his own photography business for several years and developed an extensive body of work.
Eight years later, living in Minneapolis with his wife and two sons, Paul formed a band called Blue Daddies that grew to 8 pieces over a 12 year period and played many memorable shows, including a Blues Brothers tribute. He also performed as John in a Beatle band.
In 2003, as Paul started teaching music in his own private studio, he and his wife, Caren, developed a guitar/violin duet now called The Island Duet. They co-founded a non-profit, AYEM, in 2005, teaching ensemble playing to guitarists & string players and staging regular community outreach performances for five years. Paul began arranging and composing for students, chamber groups, guitar ensembles, his band, and the duet. For three years, he also served as Director of Lake Country School Band.
In Florida, Paul especially enjoys body surfing, biking, tennis, gardening, canoeing, and golf.
Contact Information for Paul Umbarger
Call 904-501-3646 or email paul@umbart.com
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PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
The benefits of music education are incalculable.
For children, teenagers, and adults alike, learning to read music and play an instrument brings personal enjoyment and greater confidence.We work with students of all ages and levels of experience to help them improve their skills, reach their potential, and achieve their musical goals.
We develop confident, competent players using a methodical, step-by-step approach.
TEACHERS
CAREN UMBARGER has been a private string teacher since 1983. She teaches VIOLIN, VIOLA, and CELLO.
PAUL UMBARGER has been a private music teacher since 2003. He teaches GUITAR, PIANO, TRUMPET, ELECTRIC BASS, BANJO, and UKELELE.
We are committed to musical excellence. With kindness and patience, we provide a safe environment for our students to test their wings, address their challenges, and discover the joy of making music.
PRACTICE
We teach students how to practice effectively.
Learning to practice is a developmental process: as a student’s practice effectiveness improves, their playing matures.Consistent practice is the key to steady progress. By playing consistently, students maintain familiarity with their instrument and are able to prepare for each lesson.
Self-motivation for practicing is rarely present in children – even if they love their instrument. So it’s essential that parents provide guidance and support for regular practice. This will ensure progress, which will help keep them loving it.
SKILL ACQUISITION
We teach students how to develop their skills.
Caren created this matrix for evaluating string players while Artistic Director of the Flagler Youth Orchestra:
As we work with students to recognize and address each of these critical areas, they develop into sturdier players regardless of the instrument.- POSTURE/STANCE
- BOW HOLD
- BOWING/BOW ARM/BOW USE
- LEFT ARM
- LEFT HAND
- INTONATION
- TONE QUALITY
- RHYTHM/COUNTING ABILITY
- MUSICALITY
- NOTE READING ABILITY
- BOW HOLD
RECITALS
We teach students how to perform.
Each semester, our students have the opportunity to play in a recital at our home on Anastasia Island.
In preparing for recitals, students often practice with more focus and become stronger players in the process. Recitals are always an enriching and rewarding experience for students and their families.MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES
Three of Caren’s violin students auditioned into the first violin section of the top level of the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra. One of Paul’s guitar students formed Howler, a rock band that toured the world.
There are many ways to be a musician. Our objective is to provide students with a strong foundation so they can go wherever their music takes them.
- POSTURE/STANCE
Music Lessons with Caren Umbarger
I have taught violin, viola and cello since 1983 and nurtured hundreds of students in my private studio, many of whom have gone on to become music majors. I was co-founder and Artistic Director of Artistic Youth Ensembles of Minnesota in Minneapolis (2005-2010); and Artistic Director of the Flagler Youth Orchestra in Palm Coast, Florida (2010-2013).
I use a traditional approach which includes perfection of form, foundation studies, and the development of conscious playing. My students learn how to enjoy the process of becoming fine players so they may realize lifelong improvement on their instrument. In my studio, kindness is paramount.
Testimonials for Music Lessons with Caren Umbarger
"I can't imagine a finer instructor and friend for my daughter and myself. You have carefully guided her through to college and with great success."
"Thank you for being such a great teacher all these years. Even though I used to be a pain when I was younger, I still appreciated everything that you taught me. The lessons not only made me a better player, but a more confident player."
"Leslie would not have been able to reach the level she did with her violin without you. Needless to say, we think the world of you."
"Thank you so much for all the amazing things you have taught me. You’ve been there the whole time for me, from the highest times to my lowest times. I think you should know that you are someone in my life who I will remember and learn from forever."
Schedule for Music Lessons with Caren Umbarger
St. Augustine
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday in my home on Anastasia Island
Email caren@umbart.com or call 904-501-3640 to discuss lesson time options.
Rates for Music Lessons with Caren Umbarger
- $30 for 30 minutes
- $45 for 45 minutes
- $60 for 60 minutes
Flagler Youth Orchestra Palm Coast, FL (2010-2013)
During 3 years as Artistic Director, Caren invented The Player's Path: a "one room schoolhouse" strings method & curriculum which enabled individualized instruction in large group classes so that each student's process was respected and addressed.
Caren Umbarger Named FYO Artistic Director - May,2010
A Musical Journey in the Key of Kindness by Caren Umbarger - May,2010
Memories of River City: "The Music Man" Then & Now by Caren Umbarger - Feb, 2011
Island Duet Music Samples for Receptions and Special Events
(Click on a title to listen)
