Registration for Fall 2016 Classes

I'm excited about getting ready to teach another year of Sound Beginnings (2-4 years) and Let's Play Music (entry age 4-6)

General enrollment for my studio for the 2016-17 session opens soon!  However, if you're interested in enrolling, you'll want to get on my waiting list because that allows you to submit registration 1 week early!  My current students and those on my waiting list will receive my registration links by email 1 week before they are listed here on my website.  Classes fill up quickly, so that will be the best way to ensure you get the class time you want!

Registration for 2015-2016

Registration and Enrollment for 2015-2016 

2015-2016 LPM Schedule

Red Balloons/Blue Bugs: Wednesdays 4:00-4:45 - Starts Wed August 26th

Green Turtles/Yellow Arrows:  Thursdays 4:00-4:50  Starts Thurs August 27th

Purple Magic/Orange Roots:  Thursdays 5:05-6:00  Starts Thurs Aug 27th

Sound Beginnings:  Thursdays 10:30 am (tentative day and time) - starts the week of August 27th

Click the registration tab or email me for more info!

Got the Practice Blues? A few Solutions

We all want our kids to do well in all they do, but sometimes we hit rough patches where we need to change things up so keep the momentum going.  I know I am the same way with even the hobbies I love the most.  A few parents have given me permission to share some things that are helping them keep practice fun and effective, so I'll share them today and a few others that have been a hit at our house.  For more ideas for every level and on multiple concepts, see the Making Musicians LPM blog, as well as searching this blog for posts labeled practice helps.

First Year --

• Keep practicing specific things to a few minutes 3-4 times a week so kids don't get bogged down... then leave the bells and CD in an easy to access place so that the kids will naturally experiment and make their own discoveries.
• Make your own autoharp or download an app so they can practice honing their chord playing and develop their ear for when chords should be played.  More info HERE.
• Let the kids be your teacher.  Have them point at the bells to play for a specific song.
• At the grocery store, let your child practice baby steps and skips using the floor tiles.  The very next tile is a baby step, hopping over one is a skip, and more than two tiles is a leap!

Second Year --

• There is a fabulous video on the LPM blog demo-ing a game for Yellow Arrow students to learn their note names with the alphabet pieces game.  CLICK HERE
• Trade places and have the kids point while you play the piano.
• Have kids try to balance a smartie or other small candy on their bubble hand as they practice playing the fingers you sing.  If it stays on they get to keep it.

Third Year --

• Look for unique times and ways to reinforce concepts.  One mom shared their bathtime solution (pictured above).  Writing on the wall is usually a no-no, but with a wet erase or dry erase marker, windows and bathroom surfaces can turn into a classroom with a captive audience.  GREAT IDEA!

Treble Lines Online Fun

For those that are super fast at their "Treble Lines" flashcards, here's another way to review and get even speedier.

http://www.musiclearningcommunity.com/Game%20pages/PageTurnerLetterNames/Treble%20spaces/PgTurnLettersTrebleSpaces-Practice.htm

Counting Down to 2014-2015 Classes!

After an amazing summer and LPM conference, I am totally excited to see everyone again and ready to start.  What an amazing group of teachers to associate with.  Can you find me?

Only 2 spots left in RED BALLOONS for the year... Contact me soon to reserve your spot before they're filled.

Check your inboxes for information on start date and parent orientations.

Online Games: Interval and Keyboard Notation

Popping in for a little summer fun :)  My little guy loves to be on the computer when it is roasting outside, and sometimes I'm inclined to let him, especially if I know he's getting something out of it.  I'm passing along a couple links to some review games that 2nd and 3rd year students might find to be fun!

Interval Notation (Green Turtles+)

White Note Key Name Review (Yellow Arrows+)

Key Signature Review (Purple Magic Grads)

2014 Year-End Recital Photos

Congratulations kids on an AWESOME recital.  I loved the enthusiasm and pure joy you radiated as you sang, played, and showed your stuff.  A few of the many awesome photos I got...
Looking forward to fall!