momstown Edmonton South 5th Birthday Bash

I was invited to do a demo preschool music class today @ the Momstown Birthday Party at Rundle Park. The skies were clear which made for a very beautiful morning in the park. The demo went well, thanks to the assistance of Dyllis and Ian. It was great to see kids/parents enjoying the music and movement. It definitely was challenging to keep everyone contained & entertained with the other attractions of jumpy houses and Clifford the Big Red Dog close by, but a good time was had by all! Thanks to http://edmonton-south.momstown.ca/ for the opportunity for us to share our love for music!

How to Choose a Potential Piano (Music Teacher) -- Questions

from Karen Berger's blog

 -- http://musicalresources.blogspot.ca/2011/08/how-to-choose-piano-or-music-teacher.html

"If you're like most parents, you're probably wondering where the summer went. back-to-school specials are in full swing, and you've probably got a mile-long list relating to soccer schedules and PTA meetings. And music lessons.

Don't wait to look for a piano teacher: Many already have their fall schedules booked. But if you are at the beginning of the process, here's a brief road map to finding the right teacher for your child.

Finding Potential Teachers

Many music teachers rarely advertise. Most of us find students from word of mouth, and of course, the better the teacher is, the less her or she needs to advertise. So you generally won't find your town's most popular teacher in the yellow pages.

Many piano teachers do have websites, which you can usually finding by searching for "piano teacher" and "your town, state."  Websites may give a little bit of information about the studio, its location, and the teacher's credentials and philosophy, along with contact information.

You can also ask for recommendations at the local music stores, piano shops, sheet music stores, and the like. Note, however, that some music stores offer in-store music lessons, so they may steer you to their teachers.

Public school music teachers are another resource. They tend to know the private music teachers in the area, and can give you some names of teachers who have good reputations.

Also check to see if your area has a community music school. These schools generally vet the teachers. Many require college music degrees, or significant performance experience.

Questions to Ask a Music Teacher

The following issues are some that you'll want to cover in your interview with a music teacher. Some are purely practical. Others address issues of compatibility and teaching philosophy.  There's not right answer to any of these questions: An excellent teacher may or may not have a music degree, and may or may not have performing experience. But the questions will get you talking to each other, and will help you feel out your compatibility.

• What ages do you typically teach? 
• Do you teach one style of music or many, and how do you decide?  
• What is your background in music and teaching?
• Do you do studio recitals?
• Do you participate in any out-of-studio programs (such as state contests or Piano Guild competitions)
• How long are lesson times? 
• What is the cost?
• What is your payment policy?
• What is your make-up and cancellation policy?
• Where are you located (or do you teach in students' homes?)
• What is your availability?
• Is there anywhere I can hear you play? (Answers might include local gigs, the Internet, or a CD)
• Do you have any experience dealing with a child who.... (has ADD, Aspergers, is four years old, has a learning delay issue, etc.)?
• What is your philosophy about teaching music?
• What kind of instrument is required?
• How much practice do you require?
• What can I as a parent do to help?

Having an open conversation with a teacher and being sure all your questions are answered is the first step in establishing the foundation of a relationship that lasts for many years."


Do you have any questions you would add to this list?  Feel free to leave a note in the Comments!

There's An App for That!

I recently invested in an iPhone so have been doing some research into the various Apps that I can use in piano teaching / music lessons .... and came across this article by a fellow piano teacher that I'd like to share. 

http://fpsresources.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/theres-an-app-for-that/

Enjoy!

Walters Music Studio -- September Schedule

Here is the complete schedule for the Music for Young Children keyboard classes as well as the Sunrise and Music Pups preschool classes being offered @ Walters Music Studio (9148-23 Ave. Edmonton in September, 2012. 

http://www.waltersmusicstudio.com/schedule/

SUNRISE and/or MUSIC PUPS:
Tuesdays @ 9:30
Thursdays @ 11:15

SUNSHINE 1:
Mondays @ 1:30
Wednesdays @ 1:30 and 5:05
Thursdays @ 10:00
Saturdays @ 9:00 and 10:45

SUNSHINE 2:
Tuesdays @ 1:30 and 5:05
Fridays @ 4:30
Saturdays @ 9:30 and 11:30 and 1:00

SUNBEAM 1:
Tuesdays @ 4:30
Wednesdays @ 5:20 and 6:30
Thursdays @ 5:40 and 6:25
Saturdays @ 12:15

SUNBEAM 2:
Mondays @ 4:30 and 6:25
Tuesdays @ 5:40
Wednesdays @ 4:00
Thursdays @ 4:00 and 5:05 and 7:30
Fridays @ 5:10 and 5:45
Saturdays @ 2:15

SUNBEAM 3:
Mondays @ 5:05 and  5:40
Tuesdays @ 4:00 and 6:25
Wednesdays @ 6:25
Thursdays @ 1:30 and 4:30
Fridays @ 4:00
Saturday @ 10:15 and 1:30

MOONBEAMS 1:
Tuesdays @ 6:50

MOONBEAM 3:
Mondays @ 4:00 and 6:50 and 7:30
Tuesdays @ 7:30
Wednesdays @ 4:10 and 7:30
Thursdays @ 7:00
Fridays @ 6:20
Saturdays @ 2:45

Some of these classes are already full so contact us soon if you would like to have more information.  (hettymyc@gmail.com)

Article: The "Busy" Trap

Are you or your kids too scheduled -- too busy?  This article has some food for thought:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/?smid=tw-share

Great New Research on Music & Infants

from:   https://www.facebook.com/themusicclass

New research shows the benefit of interactive music classes on infants.

Researchers at McMaster University in Canada found that infants who participated in parent/child interactive music classes had a better understanding of music and improved social development compared to infants who listened to background music only.

In the first study of its kind, researchers assigned 6-month old babies to one of two types of musical experiences. In one group the babies participated in a parent/child interactive music class involving singing, movement, instrument play and a take home CD. (Sound familiar?) In the other group the children listened to music from Baby Einstein CDs in the background while involved in art and play activities, and received the same CDs to take home and listen to. At 12 months, the babies who participated in the interactive music class showed a greater understanding of tonal pitch structure and an enhanced response to music than the babies who listened to background music. In addition, they showed less distress in unusual situations, communicated better and smiled more!

We at The Music Class are, of course, happy to see this new research and encourage you to learn more. There's an excellent summary of the research posted at http://www.newswise.com/articles/babies-brains-benefit-from-music-lessons#.T7RPfJgsER0.mailto

Trainor et al. 2012. Becoming musically enculturated: effects of music classes for infants on brain and behavior. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1252:129-138

ANNOUNCING ...

Another Studio Location ....

5825-93A Ave.

St. Brendan School

Edmonton, Alberta

I will be teaching Music for Young Children keyboard classes at this location on Mondays starting September 10, 2012.  

1:00-2:00PM - Sunbeams 1 (5/6/7 year olds)

2:00-3:00PM - Moonbeams 1 (8/9 year olds)
3:00-4:00PM - Private Students

4:00-5:00PM - Sunbeams 2

5:00-6:00PM - Sunbeams 1 (still has room)

6:00-7:00PM - Sunbeams 2

7:00-8:00PM - Moonbeams 3
8:00-9:00PM - Private Students

(tentative schedule subject to change as inquiries come in and classes start to fill)

If you have any questions or would like to join any of these classes --

please email hettymyc@gmail.com or 
phone (please leave message) 780.242.1785.

There are also several openings in my MYC classes @ the www.waltersmusicstudio.com on Tuesdays.