January 7, 2018
KiddyKeys® is a new addition to our studio this year. In weekly half-hour classes, the children learn basic musical concepts and begin to explore the piano keyboard, learning the geography of the keys, high and low sounds, and shaping their fingers. We also sing songs, play games, do finger plays that introduce finger numbers, march with instruments, and more!
If you know anyone who might be interested, please share this with them. New classes are beginning soon!
June 1, 2017
My students just completed a busy year of piano study and performance. Last August, I helped each student set goals for the year, including the performance opportunities the student might want to participate in. We had a Halloween recital in October, a Christmas party recital at my home in December, a duet/trio recital in February, a Great Composer recital in April, and a Pop recital in May. continue reading
April 1, 2017
Twenty-four of my students participated in the Germantown Piano Festival in March. I encourage all of my students to play in the festival, because it’s good for fresh, musical ears to hear them and to encourage them on what they’re doing well, as well as give advice on ways they can improve their playing. I always learn something new from what the judges have to say! continue reading
July 18, 2016
Halloween Recital 2015. My students also participated in Christmas, Dynamic Duos (and Trios), Great Composers, and Pop Recitals.
One of the guiding principles of my life is to seek and embrace growth, both personally and professionally. Curious by nature, I love learning new things from books, people, and travel. It can certainly be easier to trod the same well-worn paths, to do what has always worked, and there’s certainly a time and place for that, but I also like to change things up now and then and see what happens. continue reading
September 25, 2015
Have you ever looked at your student’s assignment notebook and wondered WHAT IN THE WORLD all those letters mean??! I sympathize. The truth is, I’m lazy. I just don’t like writing out all those words over and over each day, so I abbreviate constantly. Therefore, I thought it might be a good idea to write a post giving you a key to my frequently used abbreviations. You’re welcome! continue reading
September 24, 2015
I had a new experience today—my first FaceTime lesson! With the student’s mom and dad both out of town and grandparents unable to transport her to my home, we decided to try out the FaceTime option. It took only a few minutes to set up….mainly just to discover the best spot to place the iPad in the student’s piano room, and we were off. continue reading
July 10, 2015
Ah, the days of summer! There are trips to take, pools to jump into, tomatoes to pick. For me, the summer is also a more relaxed time for recharging my worn-out batteries and planning for the new school year. continue reading
June 18, 2015
Most students don’t have lots of time for practice. In fact, time has to be MADE to practice. So after you’ve carved out some minutes to sit at the keys, how can you make the most of that practice time? Check out the following do’s and don’ts. There are some great suggestions here. Do you see any ways you could make more of your time? continue reading
May 23, 2015
Our Pop Recital was held on Sunday, May 17th, and it was a smashing success! Students chose from standard pop solos, current radio hits, or music from musicals or movies. There was great variety from old favorites like Moon River and Take Me Out to the Ballgame to Don’t Stop Believing and Blank Space. Some students had the opportunity to sing and to play with a band. continue reading
May 22, 2015
Your tuition covers much more than just your lesson time with your teacher.
The following is shared courtesy of Wendy Stevens. continue reading
