Christmas Books

It's that time of year when we start practicing holiday music. If you have a book at home at your level that you'd like to start bringing to lessons...please do so. If you don't have a book, but would like one...leave me a post here or email me and I'll make a trip to the music store this coming week and pick them up. If you know of other books you need, I'd be happy to pick them up as well. Just let me know. The cost of the Christmas books is usually around $7. Please plan to reimburse me for the books with your Nov. tuition.

Hope you have a safe and fun Halloween!

Piano Party

Just a reminder that there are no regular lessons on Thursday (Oct. 29th) or Friday (Oct. 30th) due to the 5th week. However, we are having the Piano Party/Auction on Thursday, Oct 29th from 4pm to 5pm (this is a different time than posted on the practice logs). If your student has completed the piano practicing log, they are invited to attend. They must bring their practice log to the party to participate in the auction. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thanks!

Fall Piano Recital

Hey all-

I've had a busy summer and fall and haven't been as on top of my piano blog as I would like to be. So here is an overdue update:

I've scheduled our Fall recital a bit later than I usually do...Wednesday, Dec. 2nd at 6:30pm is the date I'm planning on. If this creates big problems for anyone let me know. I could still change it if it doesn't work for the majority but it seems like my best option right now. Most students have started working on at least one piece and I hope to get them doing 2 if possible. I have several students doing duets and I'd love to convince everyone to try it...with me or a sibling or parent. So if you're interested in that, let me know ASAP.
Leave me a comment or send an email if the recital date doesn't work for you.

A couple of other things coming up...we've been working on a practice record sheet since August to earn "piano bucks" for an auction. Most students have been good about filling this out and staying on top of their practicing. Check their folders if you're not sure...they do need a parents intials. For those that complete the record sheets, I'm having a party on October 29th at 4pm for them to come spend their piano bucks at an fun auction. I'll send home reminders the week before for those that earned it. So keep practicing and writing it down...the more you practice the more money you'll have to spend!

And last, I'll be sending home a feedback sheet soon. I love to hear from parents how things are going and what they'd like to seen done differently. So watch for that to come home.

Thanks!

Fall Lessons

Hey all-

July/summer's over and it's time to get back to our regular piano lesson schedule. Please plan to return to your regular lesson times next week and remember your tuition is due as well. Start practicing! See you next week!

In case you forgot, here's the schedule:

Monday
3:30 Mike T.
4:00 Zach K.
4:30 Katelyn M.
5:00 Morgan M.
5:30 Alli H.

Tuesday
4:00
4:30
5:00 Karlee T.
5:30 Cady A.


Wednesday
4:00 Haylee B.
4:30 Kylie B.
5:00 Gretchen P.
5:30 Dallin A.

Thursday
4:00 Seth
4:30 Kennady
5:00 Nathan T.
5:30 Caleb/Elise S.

Friday
2:00 Allie C.
2:30 Ashlie C./Matt T.
3:00 Braydon
3:30 Andrea
4:00 Dallin S.
4:30 Emily S.


I'll also be sending home new calendars for Aug. Sept. Oct. and Nov. Please check your students' folders for these. New practice record sheets will be in the folders as well and need to be signed each week by a parent to earn piano bucks that can be used at a piano auction in a few months.

Thanks!

Summer Piano Schedule

Here is a list of what I have down for the Summer Schedule:

Piano Camp will be July 7, 8, and 9th from 10am to 11am at my house. The cost is $30and I am planning on the following students attending:

Haylee and Kylie B.
Nathan T.
Karlee T.
Matt T.
Zach K.
Caleb S.
Dallin S.
Emily S.
Gretchen (maybe)
Dallin A. (maybe)

The following students are planning on regular lessons in July :

Mike T.
Kennady C.
Allie and Ashlie C.
Alli H.
Katelyn M.

Those taking July off with the $20 holding fee:

Seth L.
Andrea and Braydon C.
Emily G.

And going on the waiting list:
Lauren A.

If I have incorrect information, please let me know. Thanks!

Also, remember no lessons June 22 through June 26 due to my vacation.

Summer Calendar

Now that the Spring Recital is over, I've had time to think a little about the summer. In the past, I have been pretty flexible with letting students take time off during the summer without any cost. However, such a cut in income can be stressful financially for my family. So this summer I am proposing a little different scenario.

For June and August months, I encourage all to continue with regular lessons and take time off here and there for scheduled vacations as needed. If you are truly gone during the months and really need to take them off, you may but will be required to pay a fee to hold your spot. You can choose to take the summer off and go on the waiting list if you do not want to pay the holding fee.

Note about June lessons... I have a family reunion/vacation scheduled this month that has been planned for a couple of years so I will not teach lessons the week of June 22 through the 27th. If you have lessons on Mon. or Tues, you will still get 4 lessons due to a 5th Mon. and Tues. If you have lessons on Wed, Thurs, or Fri., your tuition will only be $30 for June.

For July, I will offer two choices:
1. continue with regular lessons (I will teach 3 lessons due to holidays)

2. attend piano summer camp instead of lessons. I will do the camp for 3 days during probably the first week of July, one hour per day. The cost will be $30. I actually think this is a great chance for me to teach some fun theory concepts and have the students work on some specific skills during that week. So I encourage you all to think about this option.

So, I will send home a note next week as well as summer calendars. Please let me now what you plan to do for the summer and return the note as soon as possible. Thanks!

Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions.

Great Job on the Spring Recital

Congratulations everyone on a great Spring Recital. Everyone did really well and worked hard. It's not easy to learn, memorize and perform difficult pieces so you should all be proud of your accomplishments. Great Job! And thank you parents for all your support and encouragement!

Spring Recital

Just a reminder that the Spring Recital is this Saturday, May 16th at 3:30pm at the Herriman City Hall. No regular lessons this week but rehearsal is Thursday,
May 14th from 4pm to 5pm at my house. Practice lots!

Lesson Trade

I have a couple of students who are looking for a lesson time trade. Their lesson times are on Friday at 4pm and 4:30pm. If anyone is intersted in switching with them, let me know. Thanks!

Summer Plans

Summer isn't that far away and I'm trying to decide how to deal with lessons this summer. In the past I have tolerated students taking up to 2 months off, however, I'm not sure that will be financially possible for me this summer...so...leave a post about your opinion on the following options:

I'm considering holding a "piano camp" in July to replace lessons for the month. It would last a week...one hour each day. Or something like that.

I'm also considering offering morning lessons in July instead of afternoon lessons.

I hope to have lessons continue as they are now in June and August with the exception of time off one week in June for a family trip I have planned. I hope all students will try to attend their regular lessons and take time off only as needed instead of one or two months.

Let me know what your plans are...leave a comment on the blog or email me.

Thanks!

Practice Incentives Party

We're down to the last 2 weeks for the current practice incentive contest. All practice records sheets are due by Friday, March 27th for credit. Students need to have met their goals 9 out of 12 weeks to earn the party. The ice cream party will be Tuesday, March 31st at my house from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. I'll send home an invitation next week with those that have earned it. Good Luck!

Spring Recital

I have set a date for the Spring Recital...Saturday, May 16th at 3:30pm at Herriman City Hall. I am sending home calendars this month for March, April and May. Please look them over and let me know of conflicts with any scheduled lessons or with the recital. Check in with your student on how their recital selections are coming.

March Tuition

Just a reminder that it is now March (wasn't it just December?...) and tuition is due this week. Tuition recieved after March 6th will be late and should include the $10 late fee. Thank you to those who consistently pay on time. I have missed a few payments this week...Lauren and Zach. Please bring it before Friday to avoid the late fee.

Practice Incentives

We're almost done with our current practice incentive program...this is the last month. For those who meet their practice goals for January, February, and March will be able to come to an ice cream party on March 31st at 4:00pm. I've updated our ice cream chart and so for those who are on track to earn the party are:

Katelyn M.
Zach K.
Lauren A.
Nathan L.
Megan T.
Seth L.
Dallin A.
Ashlie C.
Allie C.


The last day to turn on practice record sheets for credit is March 27th. I'll send invitions home that week for those who earn the party. Keep practicing!

Spring Recital

I'm making plans for the upcoming Spring Recital...I've started helping student's select songs and I want to schedule the Herriman City Hall. I would like to schedule the recital for May. Please let me know if you have vacations or other events that would conflict with a recital date in May. Leave a comment here or email or call me. Please let me know by the end of next week so I can make definite plans. Thanks!

Lesson Openings

I have had some openings recently for piano lessons. If you know of any one who might be interested, please call me or email me. I have 2 or 3 potential spots...I'm waiting to hear from a couple of people on the waiting list but I should know what's available for sure later today or tomorrow. Thanks!

Practice Incentives

As we start the first quarter of this year, I'm starting a new practice incentive for students. I'm starting a friendly competion to encourage some great practicing. Here's how it will work...I'll be sending home a new practice record sheet home this week in all student's folders. Each student will have a goal for practicing a certain amount of time each week as well as a couple of other goals to improve their practicing. I'm giving the analogy that our piano playing can be like an ice cream sundae...just playing the notes would be like a bowl of vanilla ice cream. As we pay attention to the details in our music and add dynamics, rhythm, tempo, etc. it's like adding toppings to make a great sundae! So students who earn at least 8 ice cream scoops for practicing will be able to join us for an ice cream party at the end of the quarter. The more scoops they earn, the more toppings they can add to the sundae at the party. They will compete against me to see if they can practice more and/or better than me! Any students who beat me with ice cream scoops will get an extra prize at the party! I'll keep you posted about how things are going. But in the mean time, please check your student's folder each week and document their practicing and how they are doing with their goals. I encourage you to sit with them as least once a week to listen to them practice and give me some feedback. Also, check their notebooks for more detailed notes about what they need to work on each specific song. Thanks!

New Year Plans

I'm looking forward to a new year of lessons! All students will be setting goals for improving their piano skills. I am setting goals for myself as well. I'm sending home a parent survey to get some feedback as I plan for the new year. Please fill it out and return it with your student. Thanks!