Jennifer's Piano Studio

Piano Schedule September - December 2011

2011-08-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

Please note all dates are tentative and may change. However, unless notified of any differences, here is our piano schedule for the remainder of the year.

Week of August 22: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Week of August 29: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Friday August 26: Cupcake Party 7:00 p.m. (Choose one.)
Saturday August 27: Swimming Party 10:00 a.m. (Choose one.)
Week of August 29: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Friday September 2: Ice Cream Party 6:30 (Choose one.)
Monday September 5: Labor Day. NO PIANO LESSONS.
Week of September 6: GROUP PIANO LESSONS
Week of September 12: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Week of September 19: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Week of September 26: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Week of October 3: GROUP PIANO LESSONS
Saturday October 8: FALL PIANO RECITAL 7:00 P.M.
Week of October 10: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Week of October 17: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Week of October 24: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Monday October 31: Halloween. NO PIANO LESSONS.
Week of November 1: GROUP PIANO LESSONS
Week of November 7: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Week of November 14: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Week of November 21: Thanksgiving break. NO PIANO LESSONS.
Week of November 28: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons
Week of December 5: GROUP PIANO LESSONS
Friday, December 9: CHRISTMAS PIANO RECITAL 7:00 P.M.
Week of December 12: Regularly Scheduled Piano Lessons - Annual Recording Studio Week!
December 17: Beginning of Christmas Break. NO PIANO LESSONS. Lessons will resume again in 2012.

SUMMER PIANO PROGRAM

2011-08-22T05:59:00.000-07:00

This has been a great summer of piano! I can honestly say that as a whole, my piano students have worked harder and accomplished more this summer than in any summer past.

As you know, we have been working hard on a summer program. Each student, with my guidance, set three summer piano goals for themselves. They have worked hard to pass off their three goals, because they were working towards earning a fun end-of-the-summer party! This is the LAST WEEK for students to pass off any of their summer goals, now, and I am so impressed with how many have already accomplished this!

Once your student has passed off their three summer goals, they are able to attend a party of their choice! Please look through the party options and choose one that works best for you! RSVP by this Wednesday night, so I can know how many to plan for. Remember, I will be holding all three parties in order to accommodate schedules and interests, and you can choose any one to attend. As a reminder, the party options are listed below. TAKE NOTE: Because I had several students who were planning to be out of town this particular weekend, I changed one of the party dates for the next week.

Option 1: Friday, August 26 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Create your own cupcake party at Big Dry Creek Park! I will provide a variety of cupcakes and toppings, so students can create their own cupcake creations. There will be time to play as well, so come prepared to enjoy the playground or bring a frisbee or soccer ball to play around with. Needed: 1 or 2 parents willing to stay and help supervise if the group gets large enough. If you volunteer for this, siblings are more than welcome to join in our party as well. :)

Option 2: Saturday, August 27 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Swimming party at my outdoor pool! Come ready to swim and enjoy a popsicle at my park when we are done! Feel free to drop off your child if he/she can swim well, but please plan to stay if your child needs more supervision.

Option 3: Friday, September 2 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Ice cream cones at Dad Clark Park! I will provide ice cream cones for the students. There will be time to play as well, so come prepared to enjoy the playground or bring a frisbee or soccer ball to play around with. Needed:A 1 or 2 parents willing to stay and help supervise if the group gets large enough. If you volunteer for this, siblings are more than welcome to join in our party as well. ;)

So, look over these options and email me which one you want to attend! I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Piano Schedule May - August 2011

2011-05-18T21:35:00.000-07:00

Week of May 23 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

May 30 - NO LESSONS - Memorial Day

May 31 - June 3 - GROUP LESSON WEEK!

Week of June 6 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

Week of June 13 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

Week of June 20 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

Week of June 27 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

July 4 - NO LESSONS - Independence Day

July 5 - 8 - GROUP LESSONS WEEK!

July 11 - 15 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

July 18 - 22 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

July 25 - 29 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

August 1 - 5 - GROUP LESSONS WEEK!

August 8 - 12 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

August 15 - 19 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

August 22 - 26 - Regularly Scheduled Lessons

August 29 - September 2 - GROUP LESSONS WEEK!

September 10 - TENTATIVE FALL RECITAL DATE

Spring Piano Recital

2011-05-18T21:28:00.001-07:00

Dear Students and Parents,

THANK YOU for all you did to make our recent spring piano recital such a wonderful experience! I truly felt that each and every one of my students had a clean, lovely performance to be proud of; I know I'm definitely proud of each one of you! I am always amazed at your poise and your ability to perform confidently. Way to go!

THANK YOU to all you parents, grandparents, aunt, uncles, siblings, etc., who support and encourage these students in their musical pursuits. What you do is invaluable to your student's piano playing!

I've already got the plans for our fall piano recital in the works, and I'm already looking forward to sharing another night of music with all of you!

Jennifer

Happy New Year!

2011-01-04T13:05:00.000-08:00

I hope that all of you had a very nice holiday break and are on your way to a very happy 2011! I am excited to see all my students again and get back into our lessons. Below is the piano lesson schedule for the next several months.

January 3 - Lessons Resume

January 3 - 7 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

January 10 - 14 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

Monday, January 17 - NO LESSONS

January 18 - 21 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

January 24 - 28 - GROUP LESSONS

January 31 - February 4 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

February 7 - 11 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

February 14 - 18 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

February 21 - 25 - GROUP LESSONS

February 28 - March 1 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

Wednesday, March 2 - NO LESSONS

March 3 - 4 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

March 7 - 11 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

March 14 - 18 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

March 21 - 25 - NO LESSONS - SPRING BREAK

March 28 - April 1 - GROUP LESSONS

April 4 - 8 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

April 11 - 15 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

April 18 - 22 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

April 25 - 29 - GROUP LESSONS

May 2 - 6 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

May 7 - 7:00 p.m. - SPRING PIANO RECITAL!

May 9 - 13 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

May 16 - 20 - Regularly Scheduled Private Lessons

May 23 - 27 - GROUP LESSONS

Monday, May 30 - NO LESSONS

Important Upcoming Piano Dates

2010-10-18T09:29:00.001-07:00

October 25 - 29 - GROUP LESSON WEEK! We are going to try something a little bit different this time. This week, we are going to have 'mini recitals' as part of our group lesson. During the last 20 minutes of each group's lesson, family members and friends are invited to come and see the students perform their Halloween songs! This should be a fun experience for all of us, so mark your calendars now to join us for this spooky performance!

November 1-3 - Regularly scheduled lessons.

November 4 - 5 - NO LESSONS. My brother is getting married. :)

November 8 - Resume regularly scheduled lessons.

November 25-26 - NO LESSONS for Thanksgiving.

November 29-December 1 - Regularly scheduled lessons

December 2 - 8 - GROUP LESSONS. This will be a preparation for our Christmas Recital!

December 9 - HOLIDAY PIANO RECITAL. 7:00 p.m. at Baker's Piano

December 9 - 15 - Our annual RECORDING STUDIO PIANO LESSON!

December 16 - January 2 - Holiday Break - NO LESSONS

January 3 - Regularly scheduled piano lessons resume.

Piano Lessons Schedule June/July/August

2010-06-17T08:16:00.001-07:00

June 21 - 25: GROUP LESSON WEEK! Thank you for all your feedback about the new way of holding group lessons. The response was huge and unanimous: everyone loves the new way of doing things. So, we'll plan on keeping it going with these new smaller groups. I've had to do some slight rearranging/combining of groups as a result of some students leaving for summer. Below is the group lesson schedule, in case you have any questions about when your student should come:

Monday 4 - 5 p.m. Drake, Justin, Nick, Jacob
Monday 5 - 6 p.m. Ana, Lainey, Kassandra
Tuesday 4 - 5 p.m. Becca, Carmen, Claire
Tuesday 5 - 6 p.m. Bella, Gabby, Ally
Wednesday 5 - 6 p.m. Hailey, Kristin, Brynley
Thursday 5 - 6 p.m. Cara, Sophie, Sam, Nathan
Friday 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Ariana, Grace, Rachel

June 28 - July 2: NO LESSONS! Yes, I will be taking this week off. This means everyone will owe for one less lesson in July when it is time to pay. :)

July 5 - 9: Resume regularly scheduled lessons

July 12 - 16: Regularly scheduled lessons

July 19 - 23: Regularly scheduled lessons

July 26 - 30: GROUP LESSON WEEK!

August 2 - 6: Regularly scheduled lessons

August 9 - 13: Regularly scheduled lessons

August 16 - 20: Regularly scheduled lessons

August 23 - 27: GROUP LESSON WEEK!

August 27: SUMMER RECITAL! Theme: Music from the Movies! Students have already begun work on their songs. Have them show you what they can do so far, and encourage them to play their songs often. Mark your calendars now: 7:00 p.m.

A New Way to Have Group Lessons?

2010-05-24T08:27:00.001-07:00

Dear Students and Parents:

As you know, this week we are going to try a new way of holding Group Lessons. Before, I offered one group lesson per weekday (5 lessons total) for an hour and 15 minutes. Some of these groups were getting really large and included a wide range of ages and levels. Rather than having everyone assigned to the same day of the week simply come together, I want to try having smaller groups of 2 - 4 students meet together that I have organized by level/age/personality. We will now have 9 smaller groups meet throughout the week for 1 hour each. I think this will be a good experience for the students, but there are definitely some pros and cons. The pros and cons, as I see them, are listed below:

Pros

More of my time will be dedicated to personal instruction in the smaller groups; I can tailor the lessons more to each individual's needs
I can teach to specific levels and age groups
Perhaps a better opportunity for friendships to form amongst students
We can get more done in less time with the smaller groups

Cons

Scheduling issues: it was so convenient before to allow students to come any day or time of the group lesson week. Also, if your student has to miss a group lesson, and there are only 2 or 3 students in the group, that can also present a problem for the other students in the group. Finally, your student may need to be assigned to a different day of the week than their regularly scheduled lesson, so we will have to essentially schedule two lesson times for each student - one for private lessons, one for group lessons.
There are some advantages to having students in different levels meet together. The more advanced students can offer help to the newer students and motivate them to keep practicing through their example. The newer students offer more advanced students opportunities to teach and demonstrate, which helps solidify musical concepts for both students.

Overall, I believe that the new, smaller organized groups is going to be worth it or I wouldn't be trying it out. But, during this week of group lessons I will be thinking about it and weighing the pros and cons as we experience it in action. I would LOVE your feedback, also. Please speak to your student(s) following their group lesson and see what their feelings are regarding the changes. Then, please take a second to vote in the poll listed on the right hand side of my blog. If you have any further comments to offer, you can leave them as a comment at the end of this post, give me a call, or shoot me an email. I really value your feedback, so thank you for taking the time to let your opinion be heard!

End of Week Thoughts

Now that we have finished this week of Group Lessons, I think that overall the experience was a good one. Most of the groups I think work really well, and I believe the kids had fun and really did learn better. I did notice with these smaller groups that if one or more students couldn't be there for the complete hour, it was more of a challenge for the one or so students left behind. But hopefully that won't be a common thing to worry about. I particularly loved how I could alter my plans according to ages and abilities; I think this helped each individual to get a little more out of the lesson than they otherwise would have.

Preschool/Toddler Music Classes

2010-04-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

A new round of preschool/toddler music classes will begin in June! To sign-up, give me a call or an email sometime in the next week. For more information about the classes, go here.

One of the moms took these pictures and created this cute collage for me from a round of classes several months ago. So fun!

Group Lessons This Week!

2010-03-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

This upcoming week (March 22 - 26) will be Group Lessons. Group Lessons will be held daily from 4:15 to 5:30. Unfortunately, I do not have enough students to fill up the Wednesday group lesson this week, so I will only be holding the group lessons on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If your student is not planning on attending their regularly scheduled group lesson, could you please let me know which day they will attend? Thank you!

As part of this week's group lesson, each student will be performing the song that they are preparing for our upcoming recital. Remember - the recital is scheduled for April 24; it's coming up quickly!! :)

Also, as part of this week's group lesson, I've decided there is a need to give a special focus to recognizing the notes on the staff. Each student should have their own set of note flashcards that I printed off for them when they leave group lesson this week.

Do you know about the 'One Minute Club'? At lessons, I will time the students with their note flashcards. Students who can name all the notes of the staff in a minute or less get to write their names on my special poster and get a reward of 5 treats from the candy box! Anything you can do at home as parents to help your students learn their note flashcards would be greatly appreciated. :)

Parents: Thanks again for all your support! Students: See you this week at group lesson! I can't wait to hear you all perform your recital songs!

Christmas Piano Recital 2009

2010-01-05T11:19:00.001-08:00

Dear Piano Students,

I want to take the opportunity to say how proud I am of each of you for your amazing performances at the Christmas Recital! I was so thrilled for you; many of you overcame feelings of anxiety and nervousness in order to perform, and I couldn't have hoped for a better result. I thought each of your performances reflected your very best efforts. I truly enjoyed listening to every song, and I hope your evening was as wonderful as mine.

Sincerely,

Jennifer

P.S. Spring Recital - April 24! ;) Let's start planning this week!

Piano Lessons Calendar Dates January - April 2010

2010-01-05T10:45:00.001-08:00

Welcome back, piano students! I hope you each had a wonderful holiday break and are ready to get back into the swing of lessons once again. I know I'm looking forward to seeing each of you again!

As you probably know, lessons resume today, January 5. This week I will be giving each student a new calendar covering January through April 2010. I will also list those calendar dates below for your convenience:

Week of January 5 - Regularly scheduled lessons

Week of January 11 - Regularly scheduled lessons

January 11 - Payment due. Monday students have three lessons; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday students have four lessons in January.

Week of January 18 - Regularly scheduled lessons (Yes, lessons WILL be held on Monday the 18th)

Week of January 25 - GROUP LESSONS! A group lesson will be held daily Monday - Friday from 4:15 to 5:30. Typically each student attends the same weekday as their regularly scheduled lessons.

Week of February 1 - Regularly scheduled lessons

Week of February 8 - Regularly scheduled lessons

February 8 - Payment due. All students have four lessons in February.

Week of February 15 - Regularly scheduled lessons

Week of February 22 - GROUP LESSONS! A group lesson will be held daily Monday - Friday from 4:15 to 5:30. Typically each student attends the same weekday as their regularly scheduled lessons.

Week of March 1 - Regularly scheduled lessons

Week of March 8 - Regularly scheduled lessons

March 8 - Payment due. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday students have five lessons; Thursday and Friday students have four lessons in March.

Week of March 15 - Regularly scheduled lessons

Week of March 22 - GROUP LESSONS! A group lesson will be held daily Monday - Friday from 4:15 to 5:30. Typically each student attends the same weekday as their regularly scheduled lessons.

Week of March 29 - Regularly scheduled lessons

Week of April 5 - Regularly scheduled lessons

April 8 - Payment due. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday students have four lessons; Thursday and Friday students have five lessons in April

Week of April 12 - Regularly scheduled lessons

Week of April 19 - GROUP LESSONS! A group lesson will be held daily Monday - Friday from 4:15 to 5:30. Typically each student attends the same weekday as their regularly scheduled lessons.

APRIL 24 - TENTATIVE DATE FOR THE SPRING RECITAL - 7:00 p.m.

Week of April 26 - Regularly scheduled lessons

Music Classes for the Young Musician!

2010-01-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

I routinely hold Music and Motion classes for little ones! These classes are a wonderful activity to do with your toddler or preschooler if you are feeling cooped up this winter! It’s also a great way to help your child’s musical confidence and burn a little extra energy.

I believe that all children are born with music within them, and if their early environment supports such learning children can become comfortable and confident in their musical abilities.

I am going to offer two different Music and Motion classes: one for toddlers and one for preschool-aged children.

TODDLER MUSIC & MOTION CLASS

Ages 18 months – 3 years

In this Music and Motion Classes, we sing, laugh, play, listen, and dance as we learn about and practice:

High and low musical pitches

Musical louds and softs

Rhythm / keeping a beat

Singing in tune

The finger numbers associated with instrumental playing

Playing a variety of different instruments

Having fun while making music

The children are also exposed to a variety of musical types and genres, such as: Classical composers, including Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and more, Jazz & big band music, modern composers such as Copland & Debussy, music from other cultures: Eastern African music, Paraguayan flute-playing, traditional Chinese music, Irish Dancing music, and more. We also enjoy a range of contemporary children’s music.

Classes will be held weekly for 45 minutes on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 – 10:45 a.m. The child and their parent should attend all classes. (Baby siblings are welcome, too!) The course will run for 8 weeks. The next class will begin on Wednesday, April 7 and go through the end of May. Due to limited physical space, class sizes will be limited. A minimum of 5 students need to sign-up in order for me to hold the class. The price is a one-time cost of $35, due at the first lesson. To sign-up, reply to this email or give me a call at 303-953-9694.

PRESCHOOL MUSIC CLASS

Ages 3-5

This class is very similar to the toddler music class, except we take the musical concepts a little further. We will also sing, laugh, play, listen, and dance as we learn about and practice:

High and low musical pitches

Musical louds and softs (piano, forte, mezzo forte)

Musical rests

Rhythm / keeping a beat

Basic movement to music

Singing in tune

The finger numbers associated with instrumental playing

Quarter notes, half notes and whole notes

Playing a variety of different instruments

Having fun while making music

The children are also exposed to a variety of musical types and genres, such as: classical composers, including Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and more, Jazz & big band music, modern composers such as Copland & Debussy, music from other cultures: Eastern African music, Paraguayan flute-playing, traditional Chinese music, Irish Dancing music, and more. We also enjoy a range of contemporary children’s music. Classes will be held weekly for 45 minutes on Wednesday mornings from 11:00 – 11:45 a.m. The child and their parent should attend all classes. (Baby siblings are welcome, too!) The course will run for 8 weeks. The next course starts on the first week of April and runs until the end of May. Due to limited physical space, class sizes will be limited. A minimum of 5 students need to sign-up in order for me to hold the class. The price is a one-time cost of $35, due at the first lesson. To sign-up, send me an email or give me a call at 303-953-9694.

Piano Schedule through the End of the Year

2009-11-23T21:17:00.000-08:00

The piano schedule will be as follows for the remainder of 2009

November 25, 26, 27 and 28: NO LESSONS (Thanksgiving break)

November 30 - December 5: Regularly Scheduled Private Lesson

December 7 - December 12: GROUP LESSONS! Students will be performing their Christmas recital song for their group. Note that ALL GROUP LESSONS will be held from 4:15 - 5:30! This time is different from the time we used in the past and from the time shown on your calendars. I apologize for any confusion this may cause, but I find that this time better meets the needs of the majority of my students. Group lessons will take place TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, AND FRIDAY. Your student may attend any day, but generally it is recommended that they attend the day of the week they usually attend lessons. (Note: Monday students - I am sorry, but there are only two of you! Hopefully another day during the week will work for your schedule and give you a better 'group' experience!)

December 14 - December 18: We WILL have regularly schedule private lessons this week. This is not clear on your calendars. This will give the majority of the students a chance to meet with me once more before the recital. Also, this will be the week of our ANNUAL RECORDING STUDIO lesson. Generally, this is one of the most anticipated lessons of the year. To learn more about this, please click here.

December 17: Christmas Recital! 7:00 p.m. at the recital hall in Baker's Piano.

December 19 - January 3 - NO LESSONS for Winter Break. Lessons will resume January 4.

Payment Chart for December:

Monday students will have 2 lessons

Tuesday students will have 3 lessons

Wednesday students will have 3 lessons

Thursday students will have 3 lessons

Friday students will have 3 lessons

Saturday students will have 2 lessons

What is my Annual Recording Studio lesson?

2009-11-23T20:32:00.000-08:00

The last piano lesson of each calendar year is dedicated to my annual RECORDING STUDIO WEEK! This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. (The students usually feel this way, too!) I will send home a handout with each of my students containing information about this week's lesson, but just in case you don't see it (that never happens, right?) I will give the same information here:

"The week of December 14 - 18 will be our last piano lesson of the year! It will also be our annual "recording studio" lesson! Students will choose 3 - 6 of their favorite and most polished songs from the year to record. Usually recital pieces are good choices for this, as well as some of their favorite songs from their books. I will then turn their recordings into musical CD's. This is a great opportunity to review all we have learned so far (or this year) and to remember the student's favorite songs. The student should have a list of the songs he/she has chosen to record in their piano notebooks.

I will give each student one CD of their recorded music as my Christmas gift to them! You may have additional copies of the CD if you wish; each additional CD is $1. You will need to email or call and make arrangements with me if you want additional CD's.

Please be sure that your student brings any music they want to record to this week's lesson, especially if it is a recital piece or another song that is not in their usual piano books. Please call if you have any questions, suggestions, or comments."

I think you will find that these CD's become treasured keepsakes as you collect them over the years, and your student can hear how they have matured and improved in their piano playing over time. I am definitely looking forward to our annual 'recording studio' lesson!

Christmas Recital!

2009-11-11T14:47:00.000-08:00

It's official! Save the date; our annual Christmas Piano Recital will be held on Thursday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the recital hall at Baker's Piano. Baker's Piano is located at 2670 E County Line Rd #A. Please dress up! Light refreshments will be served following the recital. Look for invitations in the mail as the event gets closer. I look forward to seeing you there!

GROUP PIANO LESSONS THIS WEEK!

2009-10-25T16:46:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder to everyone that this week we will be having GROUP PIANO LESSONS in place of regularly scheduled private lessons. There will be a Group Lesson offered Tuesday, October 27 from 3:45 - 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 28 from 4:15 - 5:30 p.m., and Thursday, October 29 from 3:45 - 5:00 p.m. Generally, students attend the group lesson that falls on the same day as their regularly scheduled lesson, although the same things will happen at each group lesson so there is some flexibility in whichever day you want to attend.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to let me know.

Thank you so much!

OCTOBER ANNOUNCEMENTS!

2009-10-13T19:28:00.000-07:00

I am having so much fun with all my new piano students! They really seem to be getting into the swing of things and learning so quickly; I am proud of each and everyone of them. I want to send out a special thank you to all you parents for your support and encouragement!

Now, for a few announcements:

First of all, the Christmas recital has been tentatively scheduled for the evening of THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17. Save the date and stay tuned for more details! Your student should be bringing home the song they chose for the recital within the next week or so. I am really excited about the fun and challenging songs they are all choosing; this is going to be a wonderful recital!

Second, please remember that our first GROUP LESSON is two weeks away - the week of October 26 - 30.

Finally, I would like to clarify my cancellation/rescheduling policy. I understand that there are times when students cannot attend lessons due to family vacations, illness, etc. In my policy, it states that when this occurs, I will be happy to offer you a reschedule lesson. Here are some different possibilities for rescheduling a lesson:

The week of the next group lesson, your student could also have an individual private lesson. This works well because group lessons are so different from our usual individual lessons that it helps keep the flow of learning and practicing going.
We could make one of your student's regular lessons twice as long - this is usually very effective and doesn't require you to bring them to my house twice.
Your student could have two lesson within one week. (Evening and weekends are available for these situations.)
We could schedule your student's make-up lesson during a time when piano lessons are cancelled.

I assure you that the last thing I want is to make your busy lives more complicated or to make you feel that you are not getting your money's worth! On the other hand, my piano business is virtually my family's only source of income. When I calculate our budget at the beginning of the month, it's difficult when several families cancel on me and therefore don't pay their full amount. Of course, if I ever cancel on you, or in cases of long-term vacation or illness, or if we try to schedule a make-up lesson and simply cannot find a possible time, then exceptions can be made. I'm a reasonable person. =) Feel free to communicate with me about these situations, and we'll work something out!

With fall breaks and such happening this month, I did have a high number of people not pay the full amount due to cancellations. I was obviously not as clear on this policy as I thought, and take responsibility for the confusion. Therefore, I will be enforcing this policy starting in November 2009. THANKS! :) Please contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments!

Change in Piano Schedule!

2009-09-21T16:44:00.000-07:00

I have decided to cancel the piano group lesson that was scheduled for next week. I have put some thought into it and have decided that it is in the best interest of the students to take a little more time to get into the swing of piano lessons before starting the group lessons. This means that instead of a group lesson, next week will be regular individual lessons! I will plan on seeing your student at their usual time for an individual lesson. The last week of October will then be the first group lesson week.

Thank you! Feel free to contact me with any further questions!

Introducing: Music and Motion Class for Toddlers or Preschoolers!

2009-09-03T15:55:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for something to do with your toddler or preschooler when the weather turns colder? Do have a desire to learn how to help your child’s musical confidence? Does your child enjoy music and dancing?

A Music and Motion Class may be just what you are looking for!

All children are born with music within them, and if their early environment supports such learning children can become comfortable and confident in their musical abilities.

In my Music and Motion Classes, we sing, laugh, play, listen, and dance as we learn about and practice:

High and low musical pitches
Musical louds and softs (dynamics)
Rhythm / keeping a beat
Singing in tune
The finger numbers associated with instrumental playing
Playing a variety of different musical instruments

The children are also exposed to a variety of musical types and genres, such as:

Classical composers, including Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and more
Jazz & big band
Modern composers such as Copland & Debussy
Music from other cultures: Eastern African music, Paraguayan flute-playing, traditional Chinese music, Irish Dancing music, and more
Contemporary children’s music

Classes will be held weekly for 45-minutes. The child and their parent should attend all classes. (Younger siblings are welcome, too!) Due to limited physical space, class sizes will be limited! The price is a cost of $15 a month, due on or before the first lesson of each month. Currently I am offering preschool music classes on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. To sign-up, send me an email or give me a call at 303-953-9694.

Welcome to Jennifer's Piano Studio

2009-08-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hi! My name is Jennifer Reynolds, and I have been teaching private and group piano lessons now for three years. I have a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, with a minor in Music. I taught several years in the public school system before deciding to teach music out of my home. Teaching is my passion; I love exploring new and better ways to reach each student. I delight in playing the piano, and take every opportunity available to share that skill with others.

If you live in the Highlands Ranch, CO area, I just moved to your neighborhood! I will begin teaching lessons on September 1, 2009! If you are looking for a qualified, experienced, organized, and fun piano teacher for your child, please read through my site to see if we would be a good fit! Also, for your convenience, there is a list of links for Frequently Asked Questions to the right.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments at jennanne81@yahoo.com.

What are my Qualifications?

2009-05-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

I think my greatest strength as a piano teacher is how passionate I am about the art of teaching. I love discovering and finding new ways to reach each individual and help them learn.

I have been teaching private and group piano lessons since summer 2006. I have a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education, with a minor in Music from Brigham Young University. I taught several years in the public school system before deciding to teach music out of my home. I also love the piano and music and have been playing the piano now for over 20 years; it is so rewarding for me to share that love with others.

Some of my strengths as a piano teacher are:

I am very organized and efficient. Students quickly learn my routines and know exactly what to expect from their lessons.
I communicate clearly, with both students and parents.
I am creative. I try to make learning fun. If something doesn't work for one student, we try it another way. I love thinking of new ways to teach things.
I am nice! Students learn best in a non-threatening, kind, patient environment. This is the kind of teaching environment I strive to keep.
I have clear and high expectations.
I am an accomplished musician myself.

Many of my past parents and students offered to recommend me to my next group of potential students. You can read their recommendations by clicking on the link "What have other parents said about me?"

What Opportunities Will My Student Have to Perform?

2009-05-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

I believe that performing is one of the greatest motivators for practice and improvement. Because of this, I try to give my students as many opportunities to perform as possible in a variety of situations. Once a month in our small group lesson, each student has a chance to perform for their group of peers. I also give three formal piano recitals each year: one at Christmas, one in the fall, and one in the spring.

Here are photos from my last recital in Utah before moving to Colorado. I usually have a theme at my piano recitals. This recital was my first 'costume' recital. The students were assigned to wear or bring one thing that represented their song. It was so fun! I loved seeing their creative things they chose to wear or bring.

What Supplies Will I Need?

2009-05-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

There are a few necessities that every piano student should have:

A piano or keyboard they can practice on regularly
A three-ring binder filled with loose leaf lined paper
A complete set of piano books. I use the Alfred’s Piano Library by Palmer, Manus, and Lethco. Beginners under age 7 should purchase Level A. Beginners ages 7 – 9 should purchase Level 1A. Beginners ages 9 and above should purchase the Complete Level 1. Adults should purchase the Adult Course. Students of all levels should purchase the following books in their respective level:

Lesson Book
Recital Book
Theory Book
Technic Book

Alfred's Course Flashcards are also suggested.

Other course books, such as the Fun Book, Solo Book,

Christmas Book and so forth are optional.

These piano books can be found at most any music store that sells

instrumental sheet music and music books. They can also be purchased online.

How Much Do Lessons Cost?

2009-05-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

I offer three different lesson lengths:

If you are interested in a 30-minute lesson, the price is $20 per lesson.

If you are interested in a 45-minute lesson, the price is $30 per lesson.

If you are interested in a 60-minute lesson, the price is $40 per lesson.

The lessons are paid for monthly, with payment being due at the first lesson of the month.

For more information about the different lengths in lessons, please see the section about how my lessons are scheduled.

What Happens at a Group Lesson?

2009-05-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

As a teacher, I feel that it is important that I share with you my rationale behind the things I do; read the list below to see what happens during a group lesson and the reason I feel this is important. This will also help you understand how group lessons can be beneficial and enjoyable for students of all ages and experience levels. (Knowing what happens at a group lesson could also mean that you could discuss and continue some of the activities at home. Look for the blue text for at-home enrichment ideas that you could try with your student.)

The following activities happen at EVERY group lesson, though the order and some minor details may vary.

PERFORMING TIME - Each student comes prepared to perform one song for their peers. They always introduce themselves and their song, perform, and bow to applause at the end. In my opinion, this is probably the most important piano time spent all month. The opportunity to perform in front of peers is the best way I know to motivate students to practice. This also helps students to become much more comfortable with performing in front of others. (At-home enrichment idea: have your students "perform" for the whole family. At lessons they are always required to introduce themselves and their song, adjust the bench, play their song, and then bow. Have them follow each of these steps at home also.)

LISTENING TIME - This is the time spent while the other students are performing their songs. I try very hard to make this time productive and to help train students to listen with an experienced ear. As a result, each group lesson, students will complete a "Listening Sheet" while paying attention to the other students' playing. On their listening sheet, they must make comments about how the music made them feel, which dynamics they heard (pp, p, mp, mf, f, or ff), if they heard any legato, staccato, or accents (articulation), which tempo the song was played at, the meter of the song (3/4, 4/4, 2/4, 6/8, etc.) what kind of key the song is in (major or minor), and more. This seems difficult, and certainly can be challenging, but I am AMAZED at how quickly the students are picking up on these concepts and most can answer these questions correctly just by listening! After each performance, we discuss the listening sheet. I find this activity very helpful for students. (At-home enrichment idea: ask your student about some of the above elements while listening to the radio in the car or music at home.)

GROUP RHYTHM TIME - Rhythm and counting is often something students struggle with; as a result, I have been including a group rhythm time in each group lesson. During this time, each student receives a paper with the same rhythm written on it. I clap or tap the rhythm and count aloud while the students follow along. Then we all count and clap the rhythm. We do this once of twice until everyone feels confident in the rhythm. Then, using our handy metronome, we slowly begin to speed it up or slow it down, playing with a variety of tempos and focusing on staying with the metronome. Usually, after doing this once, we complete the same process again with a second, slightly more difficult rhythm. Sometimes we sit in a circle and clap, other times we use drum sticks and blocks, or gather around my kitchen bar and slap the countertop, etc. No matter the variation, though, this is always a good exercise for students of all levels. (At-home enrichment idea: Take time to clap out rhythms with your student at home, in the car, or wherever. Make up your own rhythms and patterns together. Ask your student how to count the rhythms.)

EAR TRAINING ACTIVITIES - Each group lesson we do five ear training exercises. Students sit in my kitchen with their paper and pencil, and I play a pattern of notes on the piano. The students then write down the notes I have played on their paper. At this point, we are using numbers. For example, I might play a C - D - E pattern on the piano. The students would then write down 1 2 3. If I played C - D - E - D, the students would write 1 2 3 2, and so forth. This is really good to train students' ears and help them recognize the distance between notes by ear as well as help them develop better pitch. With time, I hope to move on to using the actual letter names of the notes, and then eventually get to the point where the students write the notes on the staff as I play them. (At-home enrichment idea: Play this game with your kids yourself. Gradually give more complex patterns. Turn the tables and let your student play the notes and see how well you can identify them by listening - they will probably think that is pretty fun!)

ACTIVITIES AND GAMES - In addition to the above activities, we usually have time for two or three games or activities. Some of our favorites are: Music tic-tac-toe, interval whackers, the white dice game, steal the bacon, musical pictionary, note flash card around-the-world, music BINGO, dynamics charades, name that tune (as well as it's dynamics, meter, etc.), beat the teacher, sight-reading challenge, scale contests and more! Not only do these activities all reinforce musical concepts and help the students more thoroughly understand the theory behind music, but it is an important bonding time. Students usually leave a group lesson after playing some of these games feeling excited about piano. This time also helps students develop better relationships with their fellow students, as well as a stronger friendship with me as their teacher. (At-home enrichment: Ask your student what their favorite games or activities at group lessons are. If possible, play some of them together at home.)

How are my lessons scheduled?

2009-05-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

I give weekly lessons. These lessons are all private. I offer three different lesson lengths:

45-minute lessons: This is the amount of time I most highly recommend for most students. In my experience, 30 minutes is just a little bit too short to usually cover all the material thoroughly and allow students ample time for sight reading practice and theory work. This is why I most highly recommend a 45-minute lesson.

30-minute lessons: 30-minute lessons are the most traditional. A lot can be accomplished in a 30-minute lesson, but usually students will need to do their theory work and some sight-reading at home.

60-minute lessons: I recommend a 60-minute lesson for the serious student of music. With a 60-minute lesson, we can go into a lot more theory depth, we can practice more scales and finger dexterity drills, and we can spend a lot more time perfecting each song the student learns.

Monthly group lesson: Once a month the usual lesson is replaced by a group lesson. A group lesson lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes. It is still the same price as the other lessons, despite the longer time. The group lesson usually involves 4 - 6 students, and gives each student a chance to perform for the group and participate in other group piano activities. To learn more about group lessons, read the link "What Happens at a Group Lesson."

At What Age Should My Child Begin Taking Piano Lessons?

2009-05-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

Each and every child is different, which is why I do not like to assign an exact age for beginning piano lessons. Some teachers think students should be a certain age (such as 8) before beginning lessons. Personally, I couldn't disagree more! In my mind, there are many advantages to starting at a younger age. (Some examples: younger children tend to be much more enthusiastic about the beginning music that every student needs to learn before moving on to more sophisticated material, younger children usually display less nervousness in performing than older beginning students, and in my experience, younger children can progress at a rate similar to older children, giving them the advantage in the long run.)

However, there are a few basic requirements that a child should meet before beginning lessons, in order to ensure their success:

The child should recognize the ABC's and be developing basic reading skills.
The child should be able to sit through a 30 -45 minute private lesson.
The child should have a desire to play the piano.

If your student meets or exceeds each of these expectations, then it is time to get them started in their musical lessons!

Why Should My Child (or I) Take Piano Lessons?

2009-05-02T07:07:00.000-07:00

Learning to play the piano has been proven to:

improve fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination for children
develop listening and visual skills
engage both hemispheres of the brain
improve concentration
nurture music appreciation
create a well-rounded lifestyle
help a child's math skills
build confidence and self-esteem by developing performance skills
add beauty to the world
and more!

Give your child this amazing opportunity; sign up for piano lessons today!

Where is My Piano Studio Located?

2009-05-02T06:27:00.000-07:00

I live in Highlands Ranch, CO. I teach from my home, which is located near the Eastridge Rec Center. I work to create a bright and organized environment with a 'classroom' feel. If you would like to visit in person, please contact me at jennanne81@yahoo.com or by calling 303-953-9694.

What have other parents said about my piano studio?

2009-05-01T18:05:00.000-07:00

Michael & Marilyn W. said, "Jennifer Reynolds has been a one-in-a-million piano teacher! She has innovative and creative ideas to help her students learn in many different and effective ways. She is extremely positive, patient, and kind to her students. She is extremely gifted in finding ways to challenge and motivate her students to do their best. She helps her students develop self-confidence through recitals, performances in small groups, and through her positive praise of the good things they do. I cannot say enough good about her and her teaching--my children have had an AWESOME experience learning piano from Jennifer!"

Julie M. said, "My daughter is 9-years-old and was very nervous about taking piano lessons and had a lot of anxiety about playing in front of someone and performing in recitals. Jennifer was great about easing her anxiety and had her prepared so well for group lessons and recitals that she was hardly nervous. My daughter progressed rapidly through her songs because Jennifer had incentives to practice and had practical expectations that made my daughter want to succeed. I was also impressed with how well my daughter was learning theory and rhythm."

Greg & Kathy G. said, "We have felt so lucky to have two of our children taking piano lessons from Jennifer. She has the right mix of creativity and fun, knowledge and skill to make learning how to play the piano enjoyable and motivating for our children. We have seen some great progress in both of our children in not only their skill level but in their attitude and enjoyment of the piano."

Pam S. said, "We have loved having Jennifer as our Piano teacher. Both my sons, ages 12 and 9, have loved taking piano from Jennifer. They look forward to the group lessons where they play games and perform for each other. Jennifer has such a wonderful background in music and it is obvious that she is passionate about it. She is also flexible with the kids. My oldest sometimes becomes bored with the routine of the books and Jennifer finds ways for him do a few other songs that he has more interest in which helps him continue moving forward with piano. If I were looking for a piano teacher for my children Jennifer would definitely be at the top of the list. She is consistent, committed to the kids, and makes learning fun."

Rhonda C. said, "Jennifer has taught my three children piano for the last two years. She has been very good at adapting her teaching to help each one of my children's different personalities so that they will enjoy learning piano, and they have really learned how to play well. We love how she is always calm and patient with them and she is always willing to help them. She has been a wonderful teacher and we have really enjoyed all the creative recitals that my children have participated in. This has been a great experience for my children."

How Do I Sign Up for Lessons?

2009-04-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

If you or your child is ready to begin piano lessons, you can sign up now by calling me at 303-953-9694 or by emailing me at jennanne81@yahoo.com. I will always respond to any requests or messages within 48 hours.

In your email or message, please include the name and age of your student(s) as well as your contact information, including telephone number where I can reach you.

I look forward to working with you!

Contact Me

2009-03-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

You can contact me by email at jennanne81@yahoo.com. You can also call me at 303-953-9694. I will respond to all questions and inquiries within 48 hours.