Simply Music symposium conference

I just got back at 1am this morning from the Californai symposium with Simply Music teachers from all over the world. A few from Australia, Canada all over the US and one moving to New Zealand.

I'm still digesting everything I learned and experienced there.
Here's a blog link from Neil Moore, founder of Simply Music. You can see me briefly in it!
http://blog.simplymusic.com/messages-from-neil/

I'm sure all the things I learned will continue to surface as I go along the next weeks. Here's a couple highlights.

Getting away to sunny California for 5 days! It was beautiful. Right in Mexican town we ate lots of awesome food, walked a lot, stayed in a beautiful hotel right at the top of a hill so lots of walking.
Spending time with Rachel Geans,the other SM teacher in my studio.

Meeting all the other Simply Music teachers. Really an awesome group of people. I met and got to know many of the 60 teachers there and have a couple that we will start keeping in touch and mentoring each other throughout the year.

Completed my first seminar teaching. Subject was marketing and it was great fun to put together and present. It was a goal of mine to train this year and this was a great step in that area.

Seeing Neil and hearing him speak again. Also, finally getting a picture with him and me and Rachel.

Learning many new and good reminders of information on teaching Simply Music. My brain has to process all the new info.

Getting a new game or idea to do with students each morning.

Hearing several special needs students play in the recital. One student was blind and deaf and played beautifully, another student was autistic and had composed and sang his own arrangement of Dreams. These students flew to San Diego to be in the recital!
Amber Bies, the Lake Orion Michigan teacher performed her composition which was fantastic!

Another highlight is the reminder of how much I love my family and students and I'm happy to be back. I'm more appreciative of them after taking a break. Thankful to my husband for keeping up with the little boy and even keeping the house in order while I was gone. Truly my best friend and supporter. : )

I'm sure there are many many more things that I'll be able to digest as I go.