The summer is quickly coming to a close. I hope you have all enjoyed your month off of lessons. I did, but I am excited to get back to teaching all my wonderful students! Lessons will resume in Cedar City on Tuesday, August 7, and in Beaver on Wednesday, August 8. If you have any questions about what time your lesson will be held, feel free to give me a call or send me a text or e-mail message. Also, if you have any special scheduling requests for the school year, please let me know soon so you can be sure to have the time you need.
Thanks! I look forward to seeing you soon.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Recital today!
Hello students!
The recital today is at 5:00 at Gateway Preparatory Academy. The address is 201 Thoroughbred Way in Enoch. If you're coming on the freeway, take exit 62, turn right onto Minersville Highway, then left on Thoroughbred Way. It is past the stake center, and there will be a left turn arrow in the merge lane.
Remember to stay relaxed today. All my students have prepared well and are ready to perform, so don't worry! If you are one who gets nervous, eat a banana before you leave for the recital. It's a weird trick I learned as a music performance major that really works!
See you there!
The recital today is at 5:00 at Gateway Preparatory Academy. The address is 201 Thoroughbred Way in Enoch. If you're coming on the freeway, take exit 62, turn right onto Minersville Highway, then left on Thoroughbred Way. It is past the stake center, and there will be a left turn arrow in the merge lane.
Remember to stay relaxed today. All my students have prepared well and are ready to perform, so don't worry! If you are one who gets nervous, eat a banana before you leave for the recital. It's a weird trick I learned as a music performance major that really works!
See you there!
Monday, January 16, 2012
It's recital time again!
Dear students and families,
I'd like to remind you that the next recital for my student's participation is on Saturday, February 11 at 5:00 PM- just under 4 weeks from today. We will be choosing recital pieces this week, so please work on getting those memorized for the recital. I do encourage all students to memorize their pieces, but if they try hard and aren't able to do so by the time of the recital, I will allow them to use their music.
The most difficult part of every recital seems to be finding an accompanist to play the piano with my students, and finding time to practice with them. If you have a friend or neighbor who is willing and able to play that day, if may be easier for you to ask them. My mom is willing to accompany students who can't find someone else to play for them, and I will help schedule a time you can meet with her to practice.
Thanks for being such great students and supportive families. I am excited to see all that this new year will bring!
I'd like to remind you that the next recital for my student's participation is on Saturday, February 11 at 5:00 PM- just under 4 weeks from today. We will be choosing recital pieces this week, so please work on getting those memorized for the recital. I do encourage all students to memorize their pieces, but if they try hard and aren't able to do so by the time of the recital, I will allow them to use their music.
The most difficult part of every recital seems to be finding an accompanist to play the piano with my students, and finding time to practice with them. If you have a friend or neighbor who is willing and able to play that day, if may be easier for you to ask them. My mom is willing to accompany students who can't find someone else to play for them, and I will help schedule a time you can meet with her to practice.
Thanks for being such great students and supportive families. I am excited to see all that this new year will bring!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Winter reminders
What a great year it has been so far! Now that we're approaching the busy holiday season, I'd like to remind you of a few things as far as my policies go.
I know that in December lots of events come up and make it so you can't make it to your scheduled lesson time. Please call me as soon as you know you can't make it so we can try to schedule a make-up lesson. If there is no time to make it up, I will take the missed lesson off of January's payment. However, if I don't receive a phone call (or text message) before lesson time, I don't give a refund. Also, if you are running late but still planning on coming to your lesson, please call or text. If it's 15 minutes into a scheduled lesson and nobody is there, I may leave for the day.
December also means it's time to start getting things ready for music festival! Southern Utah String Festival this year is on Saturday, March 3rd, 2012. I encourage all my students up to age 18 to participate in this festival. You get to memorize two songs and perform them for a panel of judges (who are teachers like me) with an accompanist. The judges will give you comments about things you do well in your performance, and offer some pointers on how to improve you playing. They also give you a rating (superior, excellent, very good, or good). You earn points for these ratings, and once you earn enough points you receive a gold cup. College scholarships are offered to students who earn at least one gold cup before graduating high school.
Forms for this festival are due on Friday, December 17. It does cost $10 per student to enter. If you are interested in participating, you may include the $10 in your December payment and I will write one check for all my students. It is important that you find an accompanist- students whose forms don't have an accompanist's name written down will not be scheduled. For more information about this festival, go to http://southernutahstringfestival.org/
The Orchestra of Southern Utah will be performing Handel's "The Messiah" on Sunday, December 11 and Monday, December 12 at 7:30 PM at the Heritage Theatre. Admission to this concert is FREE thanks to State Bank of Southern Utah and The Leavitt Group. I would highly recommend attending this concert. I perform in several concerts every year, but this one is always my favorite. The music is truly amazing!
That's all for this post. If you ever have questions, feel free to call, text or e-mail me.
I know that in December lots of events come up and make it so you can't make it to your scheduled lesson time. Please call me as soon as you know you can't make it so we can try to schedule a make-up lesson. If there is no time to make it up, I will take the missed lesson off of January's payment. However, if I don't receive a phone call (or text message) before lesson time, I don't give a refund. Also, if you are running late but still planning on coming to your lesson, please call or text. If it's 15 minutes into a scheduled lesson and nobody is there, I may leave for the day.
December also means it's time to start getting things ready for music festival! Southern Utah String Festival this year is on Saturday, March 3rd, 2012. I encourage all my students up to age 18 to participate in this festival. You get to memorize two songs and perform them for a panel of judges (who are teachers like me) with an accompanist. The judges will give you comments about things you do well in your performance, and offer some pointers on how to improve you playing. They also give you a rating (superior, excellent, very good, or good). You earn points for these ratings, and once you earn enough points you receive a gold cup. College scholarships are offered to students who earn at least one gold cup before graduating high school.
Forms for this festival are due on Friday, December 17. It does cost $10 per student to enter. If you are interested in participating, you may include the $10 in your December payment and I will write one check for all my students. It is important that you find an accompanist- students whose forms don't have an accompanist's name written down will not be scheduled. For more information about this festival, go to http://southernutahstringfestival.org/
The Orchestra of Southern Utah will be performing Handel's "The Messiah" on Sunday, December 11 and Monday, December 12 at 7:30 PM at the Heritage Theatre. Admission to this concert is FREE thanks to State Bank of Southern Utah and The Leavitt Group. I would highly recommend attending this concert. I perform in several concerts every year, but this one is always my favorite. The music is truly amazing!
That's all for this post. If you ever have questions, feel free to call, text or e-mail me.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Recital Tonight!
Tonight's recital features 10 of my students, and I will be performing a piece too. Refreshments will be provided by students and their families after the recital. Everyone has worked hard to polish and memorize their pieces, and it's sure to be a great recital!
The recital will be held at the Cross Hollows Stake Center at 2830 Cody Drive. It's close to the rodeo grounds. Here's a map of where it's at (hopefully).
Students who have not yet practiced with their accompanist and will be accompanied by Mrs. Grafelman should arrive at least 15 minutes in so they can rehearse before the recital begins.
See you there!
The recital will be held at the Cross Hollows Stake Center at 2830 Cody Drive. It's close to the rodeo grounds. Here's a map of where it's at (hopefully).
Students who have not yet practiced with their accompanist and will be accompanied by Mrs. Grafelman should arrive at least 15 minutes in so they can rehearse before the recital begins.
See you there!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Fall News
There has been a change in lesson fees since last year. Here is a list of the new rates:
Half-hour lessons at Whittlesticks- $50/month, $12.50/lesson,
45-minute lessons at Whittlesticks- $75/month, $18.75/lesson,
1 hour slot for families at Whittlesticks (1/2 hour per student)- $90/month, $22.50/lesson
Half-hour lessons in Beaver- $60/month, $15/lesson.
I expect full payment for the month to be made at the first lesson of each month. Payments made after the first week of the month will accrue a $5 late fee, unless prior arrangements have been made. In case we miss a lesson during the month (after payment has been made) and are unable to reschedule it, students may subtract the cost of one lesson from the next month's payment, as long as I was notified about the absence beforehand.
The first recital of the year has been scheduled for Friday, September 30 at 7:30 PM. Please put this date on your calendars, and begin thinking of a song that can be performed memorized by then. More details to come soon.
Thanks for being patient with me as I've been getting things together. I appreciate all your help and support, and I love being able to teach all my great students.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Summer Information
Hello!
As a lot of you know, I am leaving for China on May 30. I will be back on June 20, and then I will be off to a family reunion until the beginning of July. This means that there will be no lessons for the entire month of June. I will be back teaching on Wednesday, July 6.
For the months of July and August (until school begins), I have decided to teach everyone in the middle of the week. This way, I will be able to teach all my students and still go on a couple other weekend trips. I will begin teach from 11 AM to 2 PM, then 3 PM to 5:30 PM. If there is a specific time you would like to have a lesson, please let me know as soon as possible to I can set it aside for you. I will call everyone when I'm back to confirm or set up lesson times.
In other news, today I attended a great class for violin teachers. I picked up a few fantastic ideas that I plan to implement into my own teaching. I am excited about some of these things, and I think my students will find them to be very helpful and fun.
One thing I would like to do is to bow at the beginning and end of every lesson. A bow is a sign of humility and gratitude, and is also a good way to officially begin and end each lesson. I think this will help my students and myself to be more focused and productive. And, of course, it's also quite fun!
If you're looking for some summer reading, I recommend picking up Nurtured By Love by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. This book teaches about the philosophy and principles of Suzuki's teaching methods. It is a recommended read for every Suzuki method teacher, and Suzuki students and their parents. I am sure you won't be disappointed by reading it.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the learning process. I enjoy teaching each student and enjoy the things I learn as a result of teaching them.
As a lot of you know, I am leaving for China on May 30. I will be back on June 20, and then I will be off to a family reunion until the beginning of July. This means that there will be no lessons for the entire month of June. I will be back teaching on Wednesday, July 6.
For the months of July and August (until school begins), I have decided to teach everyone in the middle of the week. This way, I will be able to teach all my students and still go on a couple other weekend trips. I will begin teach from 11 AM to 2 PM, then 3 PM to 5:30 PM. If there is a specific time you would like to have a lesson, please let me know as soon as possible to I can set it aside for you. I will call everyone when I'm back to confirm or set up lesson times.
In other news, today I attended a great class for violin teachers. I picked up a few fantastic ideas that I plan to implement into my own teaching. I am excited about some of these things, and I think my students will find them to be very helpful and fun.
One thing I would like to do is to bow at the beginning and end of every lesson. A bow is a sign of humility and gratitude, and is also a good way to officially begin and end each lesson. I think this will help my students and myself to be more focused and productive. And, of course, it's also quite fun!
If you're looking for some summer reading, I recommend picking up Nurtured By Love by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. This book teaches about the philosophy and principles of Suzuki's teaching methods. It is a recommended read for every Suzuki method teacher, and Suzuki students and their parents. I am sure you won't be disappointed by reading it.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the learning process. I enjoy teaching each student and enjoy the things I learn as a result of teaching them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)