In February 2010, Pam joined Mark O'Connor for a presentation of his new Violin Method at the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA.  Several Southern California Area Suzuki teachers took on the project and started teaching from Mark's new books.  Last Fall, Pam & John received a call from a teacher at STEP (Suzuki Talent Education of Pasadena) inviting them and any of their students to join them for a Fiddle Fest on January 15th.  Twelve students and their families accepted the invitation and made the long trip from Charleston to Pasadena.  The Fiddle Fest featured a whole day of classes and activities combining the repertoire of the Suzuki and O'Connor Methods at Wilson Middle School in Pasadena. The end-or-the-day concert featured pieces from both styles.  It was particularly fun to hear Dill Pickle Rag programed between the Bach Double and Humoresque.  The Hungry Monk Fiddlers worked with several teachers from the LA area and fiddler Pattie Hopkins from North Carolina.  (Pattie will be on the faculty on the O'Connor Method Camp in Charleston in August).  Hazel and her guitar also found themselves in Pasadena and provided a wonderful accompaniment for our featured solo on the concert. The students and Hazel assisted Pam in a teacher-training workshop held at a private home in Pasadena the day following the concert.  Javier Orman, formerly of Charleston, was among the participants in the workshop. 

The Hungry Monk Fiddler also visited Disneyland, Hollywood and several other LA area attractions.  The hotel pool was also very popular.  The plane was HUGE!  The group had a great time with the activities and getting to know each other.  Students ranged in age from 7 to 15 with one adult student also joining in. 5 parent chaperones helped Pam and John look after the troop.