The Dawg Days of Summer
Greetings fellow musicians,
While many of you are on hiatus from piano lessons this summer, there are those who are taking advantage of the longer days and making music. I salute you.
Welcome new students Lauren Dros and Tiffanie Descardes. Lauren is in the same class as two of my other students. She wears the coolest glasses…welcome Lauren. Tiffanie is one of the most enthusiastic little girls I know. She’s a little afraid of Mia, though. Don’t worry, Tiffanie–Mia likes to listen to you play the piano. Remind me, and I’ll put Mia upstairs while you play if you’d like.
Some items to consider as we close out the summer this month: Consider putting more classical music on your listening list. While at physical therapy last month, my therapist, who is 33, mentioned how he heard this great piece of music, and through much research, discovered it was Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. He proudly bought a CD of it, and listens to it often. If any of you are wondering what of the discography might interest you, speak to me. I have many recommendations. Listening to classical music helps us to order our minds and soothes our spirits.
On a personal note, if any of you get out Seattle way this month, check out the Seattle Opera. My son Patrick is in the orchestra. They are doing Aida.
New for fall: Every student will be working on memorization every week. The new achievement program will include memorization goals. As we begin lessons in the fall, I will post more information on the program. If you are taking the summer off, may I suggest you memorize a favorite old tune to play for me when you return in the fall?
The Student of the Month award will return in October, for September work.
On July 7-9 I attended a Wellness seminar sponsored by the Music Teacher’s National Association, and the Canadian Music Teacher’s Association. I came away renewed in spirit and very excited about making music with you all. The meeting was held in the Yamaha Artist’s space in midtown, and about fifty of us from all over the US and Canada attended. One issue that was discussed at length was performance anxiety, its causes and treatments. After the seminar, I spoke with my adult students about the possiblity of their participation in a recital, and to my surprise, all agreed to play. This fall/winter we will have three recitals–one, an adult student recital, and the other two will be student recitals. I am splitting the group this year.
The schedule on the website is not entirely correct, but with summer’s flexibility, I’m leaving it as it is until September. These reflect the time your student came in the last school year. If you request a change, please make as soon as you can.
Thank you all for sharing your talents with me each week.
Summer’s On
Summer schedule has begun. If you need a change in schedule, please let me know as soon as possible. The posted schedule is the schedule during the school year. Since few weeks in summer follow a set schedule, I won’t post a summer schedule. If I don’t hear from you, I will assume you will be staying on the regular school year schedule. A few of you have requested morning lessons, and I can accommodate those. Also, if you are going to miss lessons, please give me a call or email. I hope you all get to enjoy a little vacation time this summer. Thanks!
Speaking of schedule changes: There will be no lessons July 3rd, and no lessons July 7, 8. and 9th. I am attending a National Music Teachers seminar in NYC on those days.
I hope you all enjoy your July 4th holiday.
Coming in the Fall: A new achievement recognition program, affiliated with the MTNA. This program will be tailored to each individual student’s abilities and aptitudes. I’m working on the requirements now, and it should be ready to implement Sept. 15th.
Update
The spring recital has been cancelled because of scheduling conflicts. This is a good time to schedule a private recital in each of your homes. Be brave! Play for the neighbors!
Next year we will plan two recitals, one during the holidays and yes, the Virtual Recital will return.
The summer schedule will begin June 30. If you want a change of time, please let me know as soon as possible.
June Notes
Happy June! Thank you all for being understanding when I was gone in May. I had a lovely time in Los Angeles visiting our son and his wife and new baby, Gavin. Nicholas graduated from Pepperdine Law School and also received a Masters in Dispute Resolution on the same day, May 16th. It was quite the trip–with lots of reasons to be proud.
Now we are back into music study, and I hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather and extended daylight. It seems to take a little extra discipline to get that practice hour in, doesn’t it? I try to go by this adage: The pain of discipline is less than the pain of regret. In that spirit, let’s all try to get a little more time in at the piano in June than we did in May. (I won’t have to go far to meet that goal, myself.)
A few housekeeping items: Invoices will now be given out at the first lesson of the month or in some cases, mailed, instead of emailed. Thank you all for paying promptly. I appreciate it.
Recital news: tenatively set for June 21st is the Spring Recital. More on this to come soon. It will be an early morning recital.
Student of the Month for June is Cheyenne Broomfield. Congratulations, Cheyenne. He’ll be receiving two sand timers for his efforts.
The summer schedule will remain the same unless I hear from you. If you would like to have a morning lesson, let me know, and I can make some schedule changes. There will be no lessons July 7-9. I will be at a Music Teachers National Association wellness conference in the City on those days.
Have a wonderful June.
May Notes
Congratulations to all of you adults who are learning to play the piano after many years of thinking about taking it up. Adult learners have challenges unique to their situations–including no Mama around to see that practicing gets done–and often these challenges prove the mettle of the individual. I am amazed at the tenacity shown by the adult students, and I’m very pleased with their progress. One of the adult students is the Student of the Month for April, specifically for the resolution he has shown in his studies, overcoming great obstacles to reach a comfortable relationship with the piano. Congratulations, Michael Schiavone. (Sorry, Randy, better luck next month!)
I hope everyone enjoyed the week’s break during Spring Break from school and piano. We have another week of vacation coming up next week. There will be no lessons from May 12-20th. This will be the last break from lessons for the school year.
Practice reminder:
Try scheduling piano practice in the morning, if you aren’t already doing that. With the longer, warmer days and athletic practices, the afternoon can easily see time slip away. If you are used to practicing early, it gets done almost effortlessly.
Have a great May!
It’s spring peeper time! About another month of these guys singing their hearts out, and then (relative) silence again until next March. I love the peepers.
The Student of the Month for April is Jordan Thompson. Jordan, like most students, had a wall to climb over, and she faced the challenge. Great job, Jordan! To help her in her practice, she received a one and a two minute sand timer. Jordan also is a great swimmer and enjoys horseback riding.
The spring recital will be in June this year. Pieces for the recital will be assigned the first week in May.
Thank you for your promptness at lessons, and in obtaining music as needed. It helps in the continuity of lessons when students have the materials they need.
Please let me know if you would like your student’s lesson assignment written in a separate notebook.
Schedule Changes: The schedule on this website is up to date. Please note that there will be no lessons on April 21-25th, which is spring break for many students. This is a change from the original plan. In May, there will be no lessons from May 9-20, inclusive. Mark your calendars now–and enjoy the break.
Piano Tuning
Pianos need regular tuning. I have added a page to this site with Mr. Hahn’s phone number on it. Look for it under Other Stuff. Happy Tuning!
March Monthly News
Evaluation Feedback: Thank you for reading the evaluations and for your comments. It was of value to me and I hope it helped you understand your musicians at home a little better.
The Student of the Month for March is Brianna Mathelier. Brianna is trying hard to increase her practice time and for her efforts she will receive a timer to use while practicing.
At this time I plan to do lessons during the short school break planned for later this month. Please let me know if you will not be attending lessons! As a reminder, I do not charge for missed lessons if I receive prior notification. As usual, I will work with you when you have an emergency the same day of lessons. Thank you.
The emphasis this month will be on memorization. Performance classes will be held in April, not March as previously announced.
Have a happy March, and remember to set those clocks forward on the 9th!
Evaluations
Evaluations are complete and are being handed out at this week’s lessons. I hope they are helpful and informative. Please call or email with any questions you have concerning your student’s progress.
February Notes
Happy Valentines Month! I hope you are all enjoying the mild winter we’re having. I look forward to these mid-winter months. Usually productive for practice, the next few months are a great time to show good progression in piano study. I’m happy with the renewed energy many students are showing.
As many of you have noticed, I am in the process of evaluations. I anticipate finishing these this week, and you should all receive written progress reports next week. These are helpful for future planning, and although I usually don’t share these with parents and students, I decided that it might be interesting for you to see how I measure certain skills. If you have any questions after you receive the evaluation, please don’t hesitate to contact me by phone, email, or in person.
There will be no lessons on Monday, February 18, because of the Presidents Day holiday.
The Student of the Month for February is Nailah Cooper. Nailah is showing improved effort and is working on staying positive when the task is challenging. Good work, Nailah!