Archive for the ‘ Music Teachers Helper ’ Category

Supplementary Teaching Resources

As the school year comes to an end, I have started to look for summer teaching ideas and new teaching resources for my studio. Summer is a great time to introduce supplementary materials; often during the school year we are so busy working on repertoire in preparation for various music recitals/auditions/festivals/competitions, that there is little [ READ MORE ]

Make-up Lessons

When I first started teaching (many years ago), I did not have a make-up policy, and was charging by the lesson. No show = no pay. (Yes, fellow teachers, I can sense your horror and disapproval!) Alas, those days are over; I now charge a monthly fee, and have a make-up policy. Still, the issue [ READ MORE ]

Audition Music for Students

In one of my earlier posts, I discussed the benefits of having students participate in music auditions, festivals, and other assessment-type programs. Most of my students participate yearly in the National Piano Guild Auditions, and it is this time of the year that I assign their audition program. The National Piano Guild Auditions offer a [ READ MORE ]

Holiday Music

As I write this blog entry, I realize that it was about a year ago that I joined this wonderful Music Teachers Helper community. My first article here was “Time to plan the Holiday Recital” – it is that time of the year again! Over the years, I have come across a great variety of [ READ MORE ]

Pop and Movie Hits

New Release Review: Alfred Pop and Movie Hits Level 5 and Level 6 This series is part of Alfred’s Premier Piano Course, designed to provide students familiar music from Disney cartoons, movie hits, jazz and popular songs, while reinforcing concepts introduced in the lesson books. Each piece correlates page-by-page with the materials in the lesson [ READ MORE ]

The Price of Private Music Lessons

One of the most challenging aspects of being a private music teacher is running the studio as a business. One of the most frustrating aspects of being a private music teacher is dealing with payments. Many students and parents do not understand the price of private music lessons, what it means and what it includes. [ READ MORE ]

Alfred Premier Piano Course

Recently I attended an Alfred Piano & Keyboard Workshop given by Dr. Gayle Kowalchyk, senior keyboard editor at Alfred Publishing. The workshop was organized and hosted by The Piano Warehouse San Marcos CA, and was well attended and received by enthusiastic piano teachers from southern California. I always love to go to these publisher workshops. As an [ READ MORE ]

Studio Report 2011

Congratulations to our students! The studio has had a very busy and successful year. Our students have participated in numerous music recitals, festivals, auditions, exams and competitions, as part of local, statewide, as well as national and international music associations. I am so proud of everyone! Click here to read about student accomplishments and this [ READ MORE ]

Comparing Different Music Exams/Tests/Auditions

The following is my latest article for Music Teachers Helper Blog. I am inspired to write this blog entry after reading Valerie Kampmeier’s great post “Music Exams – What do you think?” I have always believed in the benefits of assessment opportunities for students. They can be called exams, tests, auditions, festivals, or other names, [ READ MORE ]

Benefits of Music Auditions

Yesterday four of my students participated in the California Association of Professional Music Teachers Piano and Ensemble Auditions. They each had to prepare two solos from memory, as well as playing in an ensemble. They receive a report and a rating from the judge, and if they score a rating of 5 (top score), they get invited to play in the CAPMT convention next February. I have always believed in the benefits of enrolling students in formal assessment/competitive events, both for the students involved, and for myself as a teacher. I would like to share some key points[ READ MORE ]

Sheet Music Plus Featured Sale
Content Protected Using Blog Protector By: PcDrome.