88keys4music - piano lessons in Langley and Surrey, and online anywhere!
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The Great History Mystery

9/17/2018

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On an ordinary day
       an ordinary boy
             found an ordinary box.

But what he found inside was anything but ordinary.



Now he's on a journey he never expected.


In a race against time,
        will he find the keys
               to unlock the doors of history?



Join the journey through time in a year-long practice game that will challenge skills,  develop personal goal-setting, and inspire imagination...all while exploring music history!
  

    
               

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Ninja Scales Achievement Program

10/28/2016

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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:
  • Each ninja-in-training has the opportunity to earn a new “colour-belt” (custom silicone bracelet) each time they complete a level of technique challenges.
  • These unique silicone bracelets have been especially made for our studio. No other piano students in the world have these!
  • It is not easy to finish a level. If your child has been awarded a new “belt” it is because he/she has worked hard over many weeks to complete the challenge.
  • These technique challenges are designed so that anyone can succeed if they are willing to put in the effort. If your student does not “level up” at least once during the school year, it may be because they are not putting in the necessary practice time.
  • This achievement program is intended to continue from year to year. Your child will constantly be challenged to strive for higher levels in technique.
  • If you see a new colour on their wrist, your job is to cheer wildly and tell them you are proud of how hard they worked to earn it!


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!"

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100 Day Club

9/14/2016

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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"
  • The 100 Day Club ENDS during the first week of Christmas Break (December 19-24).
  • Each student has 15 weeks from their first lesson in September to complete the challenge. That means they have 105 days to finish their 100 days of practice.
  • Mark each day's practice on the 100 Day Club sheet, and bring it to the lesson each week.
  • If you have a very "busy day", aim for just 5-10 minutes at the piano.
  • Only two "busy day" practices per week, please!
  • There are 5 bonus days built in, so that if you are away or your child is sick, you don't have to give up!

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!




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What's Inside?

12/2/2015

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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!

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Summer Practice Challenge

9/23/2015

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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!
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Facebook, here we come!

9/4/2015

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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:
  • Keep in touch - this will give one more way to get the word out about upcoming events
  • Celebrate birthdays, achievements and accomplishments...all those little things that make each student special
  • Post videos of performances by students (as always, the student's personal privacy will be respected and protected)
  • Student of the Month interviews
  • Piano Maestro Practice Star Awards
  • Link to videos and articles of interest
  • . . . and keep track of a new friend . . . Mr. Percival P. Penguin will be joining us this year for adventures and musical mayhem.
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Practice Incentive Game 2013-2014

9/19/2013

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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...
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It's Time to Plan for Summer Music Fun

5/10/2013

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After this past week of beautiful weather, I can't stop thinking about the summer! I'm excited about some fun ideas I have to keep those piano fingers active, and some new activities that are planned for July and August.

Here is what is new for this year:




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"Freedom Five" Lessons
5 Lesson Package -  Choose times between June 24 and August 31 (excludes July 3-20)
  • More flexibility
  • Work around your summer vacation by scheduling a double   lesson or two lessons in one week
  • Can include Partner Lessons, if desired
  • Includes bonus Summer Showcase and Ice Cream Party
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Partner Lessons 2 kids, 1 hour, lots of music fun!
(Minimum of three sessions over the summer, can be combined with Freedom Five Lessons)

Two is better than one! Get together with a piano friend and . . .
  • Improvise at the piano
  • Play duets together
  • Play theory and composing games
  • You'll be able to share what you've learned at the Summer Showcase and Ice Cream Party!
(Regular lesson fee applies per student, per session)

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Composing Camp
The Curious Case of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff

will be scheduled according to when students are available, so please let me know your preferences as soon as possible. There is a minimum of four students required to be able to run each camp.

Includes bonus Summer Showcase and Ice Cream Party
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Beginner's Camp
will run for one week only, for kids who would like to "try out" piano, for students who have just begun lessons, and for siblings of current students.  There is a minimum of 4 students needed to be able to run the camp.

Includes bonus Summer Showcase and Ice Cream Party



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Summer Showcase  - an evening of celebration!
This is an end-of-summer mini-recital and ice-cream party for students who have participated in summer piano programs. Parents are invited!

Students will have the opportunity to perform their compositions from Composing Camp, play favourite pieces learned over the summer, or dazzle with their duet-playing skills from Partner Lessons. We'll top it all off with an ice-cream party!

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.
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Welcome Home, World Travellers!

5/10/2013

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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!
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Piano Recital: Around the World in Forty Minutes!

3/22/2013

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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.

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    88keys4music

    is 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. 

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