October Newsletter
Updated: Oct 4
Contact Judy
712-464-8727 to call or text
Check for lesson dates.
We are off and running for the Fall Session! Thanks to all the wonderful parents who are keeping up with piano practice and adjusting schedules to fit in classes. Note that this newsletter is built by age, so for adult class/lesson news, please scroll to the end. :)
Early Childhood Classes
We're doing a short 7-week Fall Session. The Winter Session will be longer. There is still room in the Tuesday morning class. Let me know if you're interested.
Make-up week will be Saturday, Noveber 14 and Tuesday, November 17.
Family Music Night is Friday, November 20 at 6 pm at the REC Activity Room. With the small number of kiddos, grandparents are welcome. :)
Pre-Piano Ensemble
We have a very small class going on Monday at 5 pm. If others are interested, please let me know. This class can accommodate new arrivals pretty easily. We're working on Level 1 Piano Group skills until fingers are ready to play keyboard.
What I'm looking for is
the ability to move each finger independently (usually about age 7)
playing on the finger tips (even though it's not how they will play for Level 1)
Piano Groups
Level 1
I have two wonderful beginner groups! They are both sailing through the material! It's so much fun to see their progress. The plan now is to finish Level 1 and do a sharing time at the end of a lesson, then go right into Level 2, which has all new rhythm and pitch concepts. That will likely take us beyond the Fall Session and into Winter.
Level 2 does not require at-home practice, but if students want to bring a binder home and play around, that is completely encouraged. I've already got a student picking out melodies by ear!! Exactly what we want at this point.
I'll keep you posted through Lesson Notes about which week we will share during the last 15 minutes of class.
Levels 3 and 4
The most important thing right now is PRACTICE. I know schedules are busy, but we are getting into more complicated concepts, and the kids will not be able to keep up if they don't commit to spending some time at home.
Ideally, practice looks like 15 minutes three times a week. Please help them keep track of time and write the number of minutes on the practice sheet. There are stickers each week for completed practice sheets and rewards at the end of the month for stickers every week.
There is also a procedure. **
They should go straight down the practice sheet each time they sit down to play.
They begin with something familiar and fun (and write part of the title for accountability) then move into finger work, which builds skill for what we'll read later. It's so nice to be able to look at some complicated notation and say "You already know how to play that. It's . . ."
They continue by playing something we've been working on, then dig into the new piece.
They finish with the piece they will share at the next lesson. It is something they choose and is played solo. All the other pieces we play together. It's a great idea to ask your child to play this sharing piece sometime before the lesson. It will let you see what their skill level is and give them a chance to connect with the family musically.
** This procedure is basically what serious musicians use when they practice at the collegiate and professional level. It's efficient and effective.
Building Better Focus
After my work this summer, this could be better renamed Neuro Development. I've worked with students who have autism, dyslexia, explosive behavior issues, and frustration because intelligence has developed beyond physical coordination. Unfortunately my web page hasn't kept up with what's actually going on in the program. Developmental delays are often the cause of learning issues. Check blog posts for more information. Contact me if you know someone who could benefit. There is a Summer Intensive program in June and July, but I have a limited number of open slots during the school year.
RemPlenish
https://www.remplenish.com/pages/meet-remplenish
These bottles are advertised for sleep issues, especially for stopping snoring. However, they use the muscles of the tongue and pharynx to improve muscle tone of the throat and neck.
Fascia is the name for the web of tissue that connects all the muscles and organs in the body. There is a fascial connection between the tongue and big toes through the center of the body. Strengthening this pathway by building the tongue muscle has all sorts of possibilities for development of speech and better breathing.
I'd like to place an order in mid-October. I have a couple families interested. Please let me know if this would work for your family.
Cost is around $50 for a bottle, straw and myonozzle. It's also possible to order just a straw and nozzle.
I can order in quantity and save shipping costs. Ask for a demonstration (I have a dental cleaner in the studio, so you may actually use one if you're interested)
Alexander Technique - Balance Coordination Ease
This is an introductory class that teaches basic concepts. Some people study for a course of 12-24 lessons while others study for decades, but they all start in the same place: awareness, mechanics, process, thought.
There are periodic free Find Your Up! sessions that take participants through some basic experiences. I've worked with athletes, musicians, and people who have pain issues. We've had some success dealing with spinal curvature, walking issues, tight/sore shoulders, and hip issues, and, of course, balance and posture.
If you're interested in learning how this can help you or your child, connect for a consultation and demonstration.
Social Media Connections
There is information about classes, helpful information about music and the nervous system, attention issues, reflex integration, plus a weekly Pause (coming soon) on my social media pages. If you don't already follow, here are the links.
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