 You may be surprised to hear that you have a ninja-in-training in your home! Just a few weeks ago, we began a new journey towards mastery and excellence in piano technique. The basic scales and chords of the past have been transformed into daring, brain-twisting challenges of endurance and finesse. Your student will be striving to play with more accuracy, speed and comprehension than ever before. Here are a few things you should know about this new program:
As a teacher, I am excited to see the determination and effort the students are investing. This is the first time in all my years of teaching that I have had to say, "No, we can't do more scales right now, I need to hear you play your pieces!"   Welcome back to a fresh, new year of piano! This week, your child received a challenge to play the piano EVERY day for 100 Days. At first glance, this challenge looks, well . . . challenging! In fact, it looks HARD! If that is what you are thinking, you are right! However, good progress in piano – or in any other worthwhile skill – requires time and effort. We can only get OUT of it what we put INTO it. The 100 Day Challenge gives you the chance to work with your child to help them develop daily practice habits. It gives you both a goal to work toward, and a way to know when you have succeeded. Here are the "Rules of the Game"
It has been said that it takes 21 days to establish a new habit . . . just think what the next 100 days may do for your child!  It's Group Class / Piano Party week! Join us this weekend as we explore the inside of the piano. What is hiding in there, anyway? And how does it all work? We'll be opening my piano up to explore and experiment. Classes run Friday evening and during the day on Saturday. Please remember, this class is in my home, not in the clubhouse. Bring a piece to perform, your music, and a big helping of curiosity! Congratulations to everyone who finished the Summer Practice Challenge! Each student was given a page with fun and quirky music projects from which to choose, and was asked to complete and record at least 30 practice days over the summer vacation. They win a prize, and I win, too . . . these students are ready to jump into fresh, new music this September - no review needed! Alexandre, Alisha, Aliya, Georgia, Hailey, Hazelle, Michela and Soneya . . . good work!  88keys4music has a Facebook page! It is so exciting to have this available at last! Here are just a few of the new things we'll be able to do:
The new practice game has begun!
This year each student will... Learn crazy new ideas and tricks for practicing... Take on a rhythm challenge... Go head to head in a battle for the fastest speed in the Flashcard Wars... Do a new and strange Scavenger Hunt (details to be kept Top Secret until the time is right)... Become a composer (yes, really!)... ...and more. We are going to have our own "Wall of Fame" right here on the website so that the students who complete each challenge can be a little bit famous for their efforts. And of course, there will be many wonderful pieces learned, lots of new skills put into practice, and plenty of fun for all. I hope you enjoy the year! Here we go...
Of course, regular weekly lessons will be available for those who want them. I will be connecting with each family over the next little while to see what your summer plans are, and which programs you are interested in.
 This week, several of our ambitious world travellers completed their trip around the globe and returned home to Canada. Congratulations to those who have practiced so faithfully - you are done early! I have a game extension for you so that you can continue to collect points until our final Piano Party in June.
For those of you who are still working hard to earn your plane tickets, don't give up! We have three more weeks until the points booklets must be turned in, so keep on practicing. If you need a LOT more points, let me know. I have several interesting music projects you can do to boost your totals. See you at the finish line!  Is it possible to travel all the way around the world in forty minutes? This year we did just that, on Passport to Music flight 101. Our Spring Piano Recital was based on the same travel theme as this year's practice incentive, and the students worked hard to prepare pieces from all over the world. Performers played music from Canada, Europe, Russia, the far East, Brazil, and many points in between. We heard some poetry, and even had bi-lingual pre-flight announcements before our plane left Vancouver!
It was an entertaining evening, and the performers did a wonderful job! Congratulations on a job well done! My thanks to all the parents who helped with refreshments, supervision, photography, and set-up. You made the event go smoothly and enjoyably. |
88keys4musicis an independent piano studio in Surrey, BC. Our goal is to share the joy of music through effective and enjoyable lessons...both in-person, and online. Archives
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