I'm looking forward to the end of the year recitals and events for my students. When the weather gets nice it's harder for students to stay in and make sure they practice, but having an upcoming event always helps I think to stay focused.
This year in May I have an Open Mic at Oakmonte Senior Center, then in June I opted to do 2 Recitals. One will be at Oakmonte complete with cookies and the usual medals and program, then the other will be a church in Rochester.
This year I'm trying to help students focus on making their pieces unique in some way or add their compositions to the program.
The best part of Simply Music though is that students just pick from their large playlists what to play and then they just polish it a bit more... there's no playing the same 2 pieces for 3 months to get them ready!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Open House fun!
Had a great time with about 9 students on Saturday for a bit over an hour. The kids played piano, we played a card game and a bit of review and ate! It was a fun chance to socialize for the kids to realize that piano is a social event too! Tim brought his saxophone and played along with several songs. His ear is quite incredible.
It was also a fun chance for all ages to make music together. The youngest was 6 and oldest was 11.
It was also a fun chance for all ages to make music together. The youngest was 6 and oldest was 11.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Referrals
Referrals are a huge part of my teaching business!
I'm always so grateful for good students that refer their friends who also turn out to be good students!
Over the weekend a new student (4 weeks) had referred another potential student. Meeting them this week Tuesday.
Over the last month... 6 students started because of referrals! The rest were internet leads.
Another one is a transfer student from another SM teacher..
I'm always so grateful for good students that refer their friends who also turn out to be good students!
Over the weekend a new student (4 weeks) had referred another potential student. Meeting them this week Tuesday.
Over the last month... 6 students started because of referrals! The rest were internet leads.
Another one is a transfer student from another SM teacher..
Friday, March 5, 2010
Joy of teaching
This week I had the joy of starting 7 different students ranging in age. It is a delight to see students young and older learn songs and love it!
I started a 4 year old which I was hesitant to do and he did quite well and smiled the whole time! The energy of a young child is so infectious.
My own little 3 year old knows where the D (dog is) so far...
I also love how all ages can learn together.. one night I have an dad/daughter together, another day a 17 year old with a 9 year old. It's beautiful to be able to learn, laugh and play together!
I started a 4 year old which I was hesitant to do and he did quite well and smiled the whole time! The energy of a young child is so infectious.
My own little 3 year old knows where the D (dog is) so far...
I also love how all ages can learn together.. one night I have an dad/daughter together, another day a 17 year old with a 9 year old. It's beautiful to be able to learn, laugh and play together!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Open Mic Night at Oakmonte
Last Saturday I took some students and families to Oakmonte Sterling in Sterling Heights. I have started really looking forward to these events every couple months!
This month one grandpa brought his trumpet and another brought his accordian. The two played seperately then at the end improvised along with a student playing a blues piece. Then they played together!
It was a great example of the goal I want for my student... a lifetime relationship with music! These men were in their 70's and yet still played and loved sharing that music with others.
The children also played beautifully on the piano... it was incredible to see students with 4 lessons play so confidently and musically. Other students with a year of lessons played multiple times.. their own compositions as well as their own arrangments of pieces.
A couple students played accompaniments and sang along to their pieces.
One student with special needs played with both hands together...
It was a great chance to share music together!
This month one grandpa brought his trumpet and another brought his accordian. The two played seperately then at the end improvised along with a student playing a blues piece. Then they played together!
It was a great example of the goal I want for my student... a lifetime relationship with music! These men were in their 70's and yet still played and loved sharing that music with others.
The children also played beautifully on the piano... it was incredible to see students with 4 lessons play so confidently and musically. Other students with a year of lessons played multiple times.. their own compositions as well as their own arrangments of pieces.
A couple students played accompaniments and sang along to their pieces.
One student with special needs played with both hands together...
It was a great chance to share music together!
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