And the award goes to...

Thank you to all 35 of our terrific pianists who did an amazing job at our 4th Annual Winter Recital last Saturday!

At the end of the recital we have a formal certificate presentation to our performers & 2 drawings for prizes! 

This year I have added a few for fun awards too!

So here are our winners:

"Practice Jar Winner" of a $25 gift card to Target = Miss Ainsley 

"Good Grades Jar Winner" of a $25 gift card to Best Buy = Mister Antonio

My dad counted 117 entries in our Practice Jar from 11/1 - 12/16.  He determined that those 117 entries equaled 1755 times a song was practiced!  And that does not even include the students who didn't meet the practice jar criteria!  WOW!

"The Technology Award" goes to the Parke Family for using Skype to share our recital with their family in Sweden!

My dad is the winner of the "Dedication to Renee's Music Award" goes to my dad  = 31 years later & he is still sitting through my recitals!  ;)

The "Furthest Distance Traveled Award" goes to Miss Kendall's Grandparents who came from Alabama to attend our recital for the 2nd year in a row!

The "Practice Dedication Award" goes to Miss Jaime W. for starting her recital songs first (over summer vacation).

The "Family Support Award" goes to Miss Elizabeth since her big brothers gave her a standing ovation when she finished performing "Believe" from The Polar Express.

The "Worker Bee Family Award" goes to Miss Emily & Miss Abigail's Family!  Once again they helped by unlocking & locking the church for us, turning on all the lights, being the sound crew, setting up, cleaning up & working in the kitchen!  They spent their whole day working!

Thank you to all of you who helped, volunteered & donated items to make the day a huge success!  Thank you to all of the performers for doing your best & working hard all year for this performance!  Thank you to all of the parents, grandparents & childcare providers who get their students to lessons, and encourage them to practice!  Without all of you, our recital would not have been possible!

Grant & I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8Eyw5t2XgY&feature=player_profilepage

Above is the link to view Grant & I playing "Christmas Time Is Here" from Charlie Brown Christmas.  

We practiced for weeks & had a lot of fun!  Although it was not a perfect performance, we are still very proud of ourselves!


Thank you Grant!  I love you!

Miss Danielle

Congratulations to Miss Danielle!  Miss Danielle played a song for her music class last week & had the class guess the title of the song!  The song was "Frosty The Snowman"!  She said her whole class guessed it correctly!  Way to go Miss Danielle!  We are looking forward to hearing you play it at the recital on Saturday! 

Adrienne

Please join me in thanking my friend Adrienne for being my technical support!  (once again!)  Adrienne taught me everything I know about blogs!  She set my blog up and most recently fixed it up!  She also added the festive wintery background - which I LOVE! 

She also made Ellie her keyboard headband and keyboard hair bow that she has been wearing for the past few weeks.  (When she has not been wearing her Christmas themed hair accessories of course!)  Adrienne has an Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/lilsisdesign/  Please visit it to see all sorts of cute things!

Thanks Adrienne, I truly appreciate you!

Nursing Home Recital

Please join me for a standing ovation for the terrific piano students who performed their holiday songs for the residents of a local nursing home this past Tuesday!  The residents loved seeing the students dressed in their holiday outfits & listening to them perform.  In fact, it was our biggest audience to date!  Thank you to Carson, Serena, Sydney, Grant, Lailany, Antonio, Vincent, Cristofero, Claire, Emily, Abigail, and Jonathon for playing your songs.  Unfortunately, Ellie decided not to perform this time!  However, she did sing a long.  Following our performance, our resident friend, Mrs. Bernice played Silent Night & Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.  She invited everyone in the room to sing along and everyone did!  There were several sets of misty eyes in the house as it truly was a touching moment.  After Mrs. Bernice played, she reminded all of the students to practice every day!  When everyone was done playing the piano, everyone enjoyed punch and cookies.  Our students learned a lot of valuable lessons!  Thank you everyone!

Miss Elizabeth

Thank you to Miss Elizabeth for the donation of many stickers, including "scratch & sniff" stickers!  Our piano students will enjoy working hard for the fun reward stickers!  Thank you!

Miss Jackie

Congratulations to Miss Jackie for performing "The Juggler" on the piano at her school talent show today!  She said her friends gave her many compliments following her performance!  Hooray for Jackie!

Miss Haley

Congratulations to Miss Haley for playing the piano for her music class at school! Miss Haley started to play the piano this fall. She is currently preparing to perform in her first Winter Holiday Recital on her birthday! Hooray for Miss Haley!

Miss Elizabeth

Thank you to Miss Elizabeth & her father for donating many pieces of sheet music, song books & children's books to our growing libraries! Your generosity is appreciated by me and by the rest of our piano families who will enjoy your donations! Thank you!

Miss Alison

Please join me in congratulating Miss Alison for completing her Level 3A Piano Adventures Series. Miss Alison has been taking piano lessons with Note-worthy Experiences for over 3 years. She has performed with Ms. Renee on many occasions at the local nursing home, Winter Recitals and Play A Thons. Miss Alison also is in her school chorus and plays the violin. Alison also enjoys Ski Club. Hooray for Alison!

Miss Ericka

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Ericka! Ericka completed her Level 1 Red books last week! She has already started working on her next set of books! Ericka is preparing to perform in the Winter Holiday Recital. When Ericka is not playing the piano, she enjoys taking multiple dance classes and being with her family. Congratulations Ericka!

Miss Sydney

Congratulations to Miss Sydney for successfully completing her Piano Adventures Primer Level Series! Sydney is currently working out of the Red Level 1 Books! She is also preparing to perform at the local nursing home and our Annual Winter Holiday Recital. When Sydney is not playing the piano, she enjoys dance, soccer, Brownies and playing with her dog. Hooray for Sydney!

Miss Jaime

Thank you to Miss Jaime for the generous donation of many fun stickers! Our students will enjoy working extra hard for these stickers! Thank you!

Miss Isabella

Thank you to Miss Isabella for the adorable glittery sweet treat stickers! I am certain that many of our piano students will be willing to work extra hard for these stickers! THANK YOU! I am sure that the area dentists appreciate them too! :)

Mister Cole

Congratulations to Mister Cole for completing his Level C My First Piano Adventures Series! Cole has already started to work out of the Level 1 Red Books!
When Cole is not playing the piano, he enjoys soccer, Cub Scouts, basketball and many other fun activities.
Cole has performed in the Winter Holiday Recital, a nursing home recital and the Play A Thon in the past.
Hooray for Cole!

Thank you to Alison & Ilene!

Thank you to Miss Alison & Miss Ilene for the generous donations of many stickers and many piano songbooks! I will take some of the books to our piano playing resident friend at the local nursing home soon! I am sure she will love them! I am certain some of our piano students will love working out of some of the other books as well! Thank you!

Ten Lessons the Arts Teach

Ten Lessons the Arts Teach
by Elliot Eisner, Stanford University

The arts teach children to make good judgments about qualitative relationships.
Unlike much of the curriculum in which correct answers and rules prevail, in the arts, it is judgment rather than rules that prevail.

The arts teach children that problems can have more than one solution
and that questions can have more than one answer.

The arts celebrate multiple perspectives.
One of the large lessons is that there are many ways to see and interpret the world.

The arts teach children that in complex forms of problem solving purposes are seldom fixed,
but change with circumstance and opportunity. Learning in the arts requires the ability and a willingness to surrender to the unanticipated possibilities of the work as it unfolds.

The arts make vivid the fact that neither words in their literal form nor numbers exhaust what we can know.
The limits of our language do not define the limits of our cognition.

The arts teach students that small differences can have large effects.
The arts traffic in subtleties.

The arts teach students to think through and within a material.
All art forms employ some means through which images become real.

The arts help children learn to say what cannot be said.
When children are invited to disclose what a work of art helps them feel, they must reach into their poetic capacities to find the words that will do the job.

The arts enable us to have experience we can have from no other source
and through such experience to discover the range and variety of what we are capable of feeling.

The arts’ position in the school curriculum symbolizes to the young
what adults believe is important.

Sharing

Today, I took Grant & Ellen to the nursing home today! We visited & delivered sheet music to the resident we met last week during our recital there! She is a terrific woman who played for us & told our students how important it is to practice. She didn't have much music until today! She was delighted to talk about her love of the piano. Luckily, I took her some hymns she loves & a few pieces of classical that she has not played before! She said she was excited to try to learn them! She asked that I invite all of our students to come back & play holiday music for her. She said she was going to work on some music to perform for us!

Thank you to Natalie & Jason

Thank you to Miss Natalie & Mister Jason for the generous donation of Purell to the piano room! All of us who touch the piano appreciate knowing that everyone else who touches the piano has clean hands too! Especially as we approach cold & flu season! Thank you again!

Thank you to Jaime & Trevor

Thank you to Miss Jaime & Mister Trevor for the huge bag of Hershey Kisses for the piano room candy dish! I know our friends will enjoy working hard in the piano room for Hershey Kisses at the end of their lessons! Thank you!

Congratulations to Miss Jaime for successfully auditioning for parts in the local youth theater Winter Production! We can't wait to see you on stage!

Miss April

Congratulations to Miss April! She completed her Primer Level Piano Adventures Series! Miss April is preparing to start working away in her Level 1 Books. She is also preparing to perform in her 2nd Winter Holiday Recital. Miss April also enjoys skiing, traveling biking & spending time with her younger brother & sister. Miss April spent most of her summer in Sweden visiting family. Hooray for Miss April!

Nursing Home Recital

Congratulations to Ellie, Serena, Sydney, Carson, Jackie, Lailany, Emily, Abigail, Arden & Sophia for doing a terrific job performing at the local nursing home on Tuesday evening. The residents and staff members loved hearing each of you perform your songs on the piano. Thank you for all of your hard work! Thank you to all of the parents who helped make the evening a success! Thank you to Carson for being the Master of Ceremony & my assistant. Thank you to Resident, Mrs. Bernice who also performed her favorite song on the piano. Thank you Bernice for talking with all of our students about the importance of practice & performing. Thank you to the staff for the warm brownies & apple cider!

The chill in the air...

Hello all!

For me, the fall is my most favorite season! I LOVE the cool evenings, the fall colors, college football and the back to school excitement! I am truly enjoying seeing all of our students back in the piano studio on a regular basis! I am enjoying watching everyone make terrific progress! I am loving the fact that I keep hearing many students (& parents) say that they are on a more regular practice schedule at home!

But fall also means that the winter holiday season is right around the corner!

So in the piano studio it means... preparing for the 4th Annual Winter Holiday Recital!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know, I know, I know - most kids don't even know what they are going to dress up as for Halloween & I am talking to them about their favorite Christmas or Hanukkah songs! For Note-worthy Experiences, it is the biggest event with the biggest audience that we participate in! For me, it is the most fun! I have played the piano for 31 years now & my favorite music to play anytime of the year is Christmas music! So, bear with me as we start to "Deck the Halls" & "Jingle Bells" while sipping warm apple cider & decorate our houses with scarecrows & such!

I used to have a "rule" that I wouldn't "allow" students to start practicing Christmas music until after Halloween. Last year, I was very grateful that I broke my own rule & started a little earlier. After a fall of many students who were ill & my own entire family being ill with mild cases H1N1, MANY piano lessons were missed. So even with many missed lessons all of our pianists were able to do a terrific job at the recital, and at the countless mini recitals that were held in our pianists' homes for their friends & families!

With that said, when you hear a little holiday music so early in the fall - just smile! Oh, and be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, December 18th! You won't want to miss this year's recital!

Mister Antonio

Congratulations to Mister Antonio for completing his entire Level 2 series! Antonio worked out of MANY Level 2 books; so this was a major accomplishment! He has auditioned before the National Piano Guild Judges 3 times and is a member of the National Piano Guild at the National Level. Antonio has performed at the local nursing home during numerous recitals, and the Annual Play A Thon multiple times! He is currently preparing to participate in his 3rd Winter Holiday Recital. When Antonio is not playing the piano, he is busy with soccer, lacrosse, National Junior Honor Society, his school newspaper, school year book, and being an altar server. HOORAY for Antonio!

Miss Arden

Thank you to Miss Arden & her family for the generous donation of many adorable pet stickers! Our students will enjoy working hard to earn the fun stickers! Thank you!

Miss Lailany

Congratulations to Miss Lailany for completing her Level 1 Red Piano Adventures Series! Miss Lailany has already started to work out of her Level 2 set! Miss Lailany is preparing to perform at a local nursing home later this month & the 4th Annual Winter Holiday Recital in December. She has performed at the nursing home & Winter Recital in the past in addition to performing at the Play A Thon at our local mall. Miss Lailany is actively involved in her church and school with volleyball and the school newspaper. Hooray for Lailany!

Miss Fayth

Congratulations to Miss Fayth! Fayth completed her Piano Adventures Level 1 series today! She has already started to work from her level 2 books! Miss Fayth has previously performed in our Annual Winter Recital, the Play A Thon, nursing home recital & before the National Piano Guild Judge. Miss Fayth also enjoys sports, pets & spending time with her family! Hooray for Fayth!

Back to school!

Hello Piano Friends!

I can hardly believe that the summer vacation season is almost over! It has a been a terrific summer!

However, I am looking forward to the hustle & bustle of the fall back to school season! I am looking forward to welcoming back several piano students who have been on off for the summer.

Our fall schedule will begin the week of August 30th. Our Winter Holiday Recital Registration deadline is September 1st. I am working on setting up another informal recital at the local nursing home in September or October.

Best of luck to all of you who are going back to school this fall (even if your school is in your home)!

Miss Kendall

Congratulations to Miss Kendall & her sister, who recently performed an impromptu recital while visiting their great grandmother in a nursing home. Miss Kendall played "Yankee Doodle" on the piano, while her sister sang along. Congratulations ladies for sharing your talent & bringing joy to others while you visited!

Mister Cristofero

Please join me in a round of applause for Mister Cristofero! Cris completed his Level A My First Piano Adventures Series yesterday. He has already started playing out of his Level B books. When Cris is not playing the piano, he enjoys football, lacrosse, playing with his dog & traveling with his family. Congratulations Cris!

Mister Vincent

Congratulations to Mister Vincent for completing his Level A My First Piano Adventures Series! Vincent has already started working from his Level B books! When Mister Vincent is not playing piano, he enjoys soccer, lacrosse, traveling with his family, relaxing at the pool. Vincent also celebrated his birthday this week! Happy Birthday Vinnie!

Miss Elizabeth

Please join me in a round of applause for Miss Elizabeth! Miss Elizabeth completed her Level 2B Piano Adventures Series this week! She has already started to work in her level 3 "Green" books! Miss Elizabeth has performed at the nursing home with our students & auditioned before the National Piano Guild Judge to become a member of the Guild! When Elizabeth is not playing the piano, she enjoys Girl Scouts, soccer & playing video games! Hooray for Miss Elizabeth!

Miss Madison

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Madison! Miss Madison completed her Level 2A Piano Adventures Piano Series. Madison has already started to work away in her level 2B Orange Books. Miss Madison has auditioned before the National Piano Guild Judge, performed in the Play A Thon, a nursing home recital and two Note-worthy Experiences Winter Recitals. When Miss Madison is not playing the piano, she enjoys playing sports & traveling with her family. Congratulations Maddie!

Miss Isabella

Thank you to Miss Isabella for the generous donation of adorable puppy stickers! Our piano friends will enjoy working hard at the piano for these cute stickers! Thank you!

Community Service Project

Congratulations to Miss Jaime, Miss Lailany & Mister Antonio for doing a terrific job at our Community Service Project! These three talented pianists joined a select group of musicians from Moravian Academy's Summerbridge Program to entertain the residents of a local nursing home on Wednesday afternoon. The residents were delighted to listen to students play the piano, violin, guitar, viola, flute, & sing! The musicians inspired & encouraged one another all while accumulating community service hours! It was a delightful way to spend a very hot summer afternoon. Thank you everyone for all of your hard work!

Miss Julie

Congratulations to Miss Julie! While she was in NYC this past weekend, she took the time to play Mozart's Eine Klein Nachtmusik on one of the pianos in this program! She was even able to write her name in the book stating she was one of the many pianists to play on that piano! Miss Julie said she loved the whole experience but was a little nervous! She was surprised that the keys of the pianos were painted! Way to go Miss Julie!

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/15/pianos-as-public-art-and-the-publics-playthings/?scp=1&sq=pianos+street+corner&st=cse

Miss Jackie

Please join me in a huge round of applause to congratulate Miss Jackie on completing her Primer Level Piano Adventures Books! Miss Jackie has already started working in her Level 1 books! Miss Jackie completed the Primer Level Series in 24 lessons in 6 months! WAY TO GO! Jackie enjoys playing the piano by ear & composing her own music. When Jackie is not playing the piano, she enjoys hanging out at the pool with her twin brother & older brother. Miss Jackie is also involved in Brownies. Congratulations Jackie!

Miss Sophia

Please join me in a round of applause for Miss Sophia! Sophia completed her Primer Level Piano Adventures Series this evening! Miss Sophia will start her Level 1 books next week! Miss Sophia has performed at the nursing home & a Winter Holiday Recital. Miss Sophia also enjoys swim & dive team, gymnastics, Daisies, soccer & teaching her mom to play the piano! Hooray Sophia!

Miss Danielle

Congratulations to Miss Danielle! She recently performed "The Juggler" for her music class & music teacher! Hooray Danielle!

Miss Jaimeson

Congratulations to Miss Jaime for completing her Piano Adventures Level 1 Series! Miss Jaime is looking forward to working away in the next set of books after her summer vacation in France. When Miss Jaime is not working away at the piano she enjoys taking art lessons! Congratulations Miss Jaime!

Thank you to Miss Jaime & Mister Trevor for the beautiful potted Orange Star Flowers. I will enjoy watching them bloom & grow this summer while you are away!

Ms. Arlene

Congratulations to Ms. Arlene on her approaching retirement! Ms. Arlene will be retiring after 38 years of service as a Special Education Teacher. She currently is a Special Education Teacher and the Special Education Department Coordinator. Ms. Arlene started taking piano lesson in the early spring and anticipates working away at the piano in her soon to be found "free time". Congratulations Arlene!

Congratulations Big Sis Arden

Congratulations to Miss Arden & her family on their newest family member, Owen! Mister Owen was born in April - but I have a feeling he will be playing the piano soon! Miss Arden is doing a terrific job as being a big sis - which is a pretty important job! (I know I have a little brother too!) Congratulations to the whole family!

Good bye to Miss Sofia

I am truly sad to say good bye to Miss Sofia. Miss Sofia will be moving to Georgia with her family and dog soon. Her smile & giggle will be missed by all of us! Thank you to Miss Sofia for always rising to each & every challenge I gave you at the piano! Congratulations on your recent performance in your school play! Best wishes to you & your family!

Congratulations & Good Luck!

Happy June!
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate our younger Note-worthy Experiences Students on a successful school year! Congratulations to all of the students who earned terrific scores on their tests, projects & standardized test scores! Good luck to all students who are preparing for final exams! Congratulations to all of the students who are involved in school talent shows, dance recitals, band concerts, art shows & choir concerts for doing your best! Congratulations to all of our athletes for a successful season of track, football, baseball, softball, soccer, karate, basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, swim team, horse back riding, & volleyball! Congratulations to all of our Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Daisies, Brownies, & 4-Hers for advancing to the next level! All of our students are very busy with many activities, thank you for taking the time to work at the piano with me! I am looking forward to working with many of you this summer. For those of you who are traveling near & far (France, Sweden & India) - please stay safe, have a good time & send us a postcard! I will be excited to have everyone back here in the fall to prepare for our Winter Recital!

Piano Guild Awards

Hello all!

Nine of our Note-worthy Experiences Students auditioned in front of a National Piano Guild Judge last week. All nine of our students passed! Each student's scores & comments on their report cards will be kept confidential between, the student, the parents, the judge & myself. However, I am happy to announce each student's status....

- Miss Jaimeson is now a District Member of the National Piano Guild. She earned a Red Star & a Bronze Pin for her 4 pieces she performed from memory.
- Miss Ericka is now a Local Member of the National Piano Guild. She earned a Blue Star & a Bronze Pin for her 3 pieces she performed from memory.
- Miss Emily is now a District Member of the National Piano Guild. She earned a Red Star & a Bronze Pin for her 4 pieces she performed from memory.
- Miss Fayth is now a District Member of the National Piano Guild. She earned a Red Star & a Bronze Pin for her 4 pieces she performed from memory.
- Miss Jaime is now a District Member of the National Piano Guild. She earned a Blue Star & a Bronze Pin for the 4 pieces she performed from memory & 1 sight reading piece.
- Mister Antonio is now a National Member of the National Piano Guild. He earned a Gold Pin for the 9 pieces he performed from memory & 1 sight reading piece.
- Mister Gabriel is now a District Member of the National Piano Guild. He earned a Red Star & a Bronze Pin for his 4 pieces he performed from memory.
- Miss Madison is now a District Member of the National Piano Guild. She earned a Blue Star & a Bronze Pin for her 4 pieces she performed from memory & 1 sight reading piece.
- Miss Elizabeth is now a District Member of the National Piano Guild. She earned a Blue Star & a Bronze Pin for her 4 pieces she performed from memory & 1 sight reading piece.

To our award winning pianists, please wear your pins at our recitals so everyone can congratulate you!

Congratulations to Miss Jaime!

Please join me in congratulating Miss Jaime who recently played a flute solo at her school band concert! Way to go Jaime!

Miss Kendall

Please join me for a huge round of applause for Miss Kendall. She completed her Primer Level Series of Piano Adventures this week. Kendall has already started her level 1 books. She has participated in the Play A Thon & a Winter Holiday Recital. Miss Kendall is a huge American Girl fan! Miss Kendall is also very busy preparing for her dance recital! Congratulations Kendall!

Mister Carson

Congratulations to Mister Carson for successfully completing his set of Piano Adventures Level 1 Books. He is excited to work from his Level 2 blue books soon! Carson has performed in multiple nursing home recitals, one Play a Thon & 2 Winter Recitals. When is is not playing piano, he enjoys playing video games! HOORAY for Carson!

National Piano Guild Auditions

Congratulations to all 9 of our Note-worthy Experiences Students who successfully auditioned before our National Piano Guild Judge! Everyone did a terrific job! Congratulations! All of the hard work finally has paid off! I cannot wait to award each of our performers with their certificates & pins this week!

Thank you!

Thank you to Arlene, Alison & Ilene for the generous donations of fun stickers! All of our students will enjoy working hard to earn these new stickers! Thank you!

Miss Isabella

Congratulations to Miss Isabella! She just completed her Primer Level Piano Adventures Series! Miss Isabella has already started her Red Level 1 Books! Miss Isabella captured a gold, silver & bronze medals at her most recent track meet! Way to go Miss Isabella!

Miss Emiliana

Congratulations to Miss Emiliana who completed her Primer Level Piano Adventures Books! Miss Emiliana has already started working away in her Level 1 Books! When she is not playing the piano, she enjoys softball, soccer & being with her friends! Hooray for Miss Emiliana! Way to go! We are very proud of you!

Miss Jaime

Thank you to Miss Jaime for the generous donation of adorable spring stickers! Our students will be motivated to earn them since they are so cute! Thank you again!

National Piano Guild Auditions

In 30 days, ten of our students will audition in front of a National Piano Guild Judge in our studio.

They will perform about 50 memorized songs in additional to a two octave memorized scale & memorized sets of chords for EACH song! Some of them will sight read in front of the judge!

I am really excited to offer them this opportunity! I give them all a lot of credit for taking on such an incredible challenge!

To our ten performers - no matter how the audition turns out, I will be proud of you no matter what! All that matters is that you try your best!

Best wishes! Good Luck!

Our Nursing Home Recital

Congratulations to all of our students who performed this evening for the residents of a local nursing home! The residents were delighted by our students' incredible talent! Thank you to the nursing home for the cookies & iced tea after the recital! Tonight we tried something a little different... the students performed in order by age. We started with our only preschooler & concluded with one of our middle school students. The residents loved it. At the same time, so did our students! Some of our younger beginner students were inspired by our more experienced students & they had the chance to see first hand the results of years of practice at the piano! Thank you to all of our performers:
Ellie
Trevor
Sydney
Grant
Jaime
Fayth
Jackie
Jonathan
Emily
Elizabeth
Jaime, Fayth, Jonathan, Emily & Elizabeth performed all of the songs they are memorizing & preparing to perform before a National Piano Guild Judge in May.
This evening was Miss Sydney's first ever recital. This evening was Mister Jonathan & Miss Elizabeth's first time ever performing at this nursing home!
Congratulations to all of you!
Thank you!

THANK YOU!

Thank you to Miss Ilene, Miss Alison & Miss Lailany for donating fun stickers to our sticker reward book! I am sure our students will be excited to work hard to earn them! Thank you ladies!

Miss Lailany

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Lailany! Miss Lailany joined Miss Jaime in becoming a member of the Dynamic Club! Miss Lailany has worked very hard during her last 3 lessons to perform ALL of her assigned songs with accuate dynamics! When Lailany is not playing the piano she is busy with the Girl Scouts, volleyball & softball! Congratulations!

Mister Trevor

Please join me in a round of applause for Mister Trevor! He successfully completed his My First Piano Adventures Level B Lesson & Writing Books! He has already begun working in his Level C books! Trevor is determined to finish this set of books so he can start the Level 1 Red Books! Congratulations Trevor!

Miss Arden

Congratulations to Miss Arden for completing her Piano Adventures Primer Level Books last week. She has already started working away in her Level 1 Red Books! YIPPEE ARDEN!

Miss Arden decided to have her dad join her in her certificate photo above!

When Miss Arden is not busy practicing the piano, she is busy with horseback riding & playing with her friends!

Miss Jaime

Congratulations to Miss Jaime for becoming our first and only member of the "Dynamic Club" last week!
Miss Jaime has performed all of her assigned songs during her past 3 lessons with precise dynamics! Her badge of honor is hanging on the piano room doors for everyone to see when they come to lessons! Please take the time to take a look & congratulate her on her hard work! Now Miss Jaime must continue her "Dynamic Club" status for each lesson in order to remain a member of this elite club! WAY TO GO JAIME!

Miss Fayth

Congratulations to Miss Fayth for winning the $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card from me for being the top Note-worthy Experiences winner at the Annual Hannah Young Play A Thon!

Miss Fayth won 5th place over all at the Play A Thon out of the hundreds of music students who performed & raised money for the local Music Teacher's Association! Miss Fayth won a mall gift card & a gift certificate to a local music store! Hooray Fayth!

Play A Thon Awards

Drum Roll Please.........................

Congratulations to Miss Fayth for being the Note-worthy Experiences Student who raised the most money for the 2010 Play A Thon! Ms. Renee will award Miss Fayth a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble! At the time, the winners of the actual Play A Thon (student who raised the most money) have not been announced. I will keep my fingers crossed for Miss Fayth because I believe she is in the top 5! If she is a winner of the entire Play A Thon, she will win a $100 mall gift card! Good luck Miss Fayth! HOORAY!

Congratulations to Miss Ellie & Mister Grant for winning the drawing for a free piano tuning by John Zeiner Pianos! YIPPEE!

2010 Play A Thon

Congratulations to the Note-worthy Experiences Students who did a terrific job performing at the 2010 Lehigh Valley Music Teacher Associations Hannah Young Play A Thon at our local mall!
Congratulations to Miss April, Miss Jaime W. with Special Guest Ms. Kateri, Mister Trevor, Miss Jaime M., Miss Ilene, Miss Alison, Miss Danielle, Miss Ericka, Miss Emily, Mister Cristofero, Mister Vincent, Mister Antoino, Miss Fayth, Miss Emiliana, Miss Jacklyn, Miss Kendall, Mister Matthew, Miss Ellen, Mister Grant, Mister Jonathan, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Morgan B., and Miss Lailany!
Each of the students performed multiple songs & collected donations for the Music Teacher's Associations Music Scholarship Funds.
Photographed above is Mister Grant & Miss Ellen performing on the Steinway Piano in Center Court!
Thank you to all of the performers, chauffeurs, donors & audience members!

Miss Mackenzie

CONGRATULATIONS to Miss Mackenzie for completing her set of Piano Adventures Level 1 books! She has already started her Level 2 books! WAY TO GO! Miss Mackenzie also enjoys ski club when she is not playing piano with her younger sister, brother & Grandma!

Miss Julie

Congratulations to Miss Julie for completing her Piano Adventures Level 1 "Red" Books last evening! Miss Julie is already working hard in her Level 2 books! Julie also enjoys dance classes, and ski club! Miss Julie has participated in two Winter Recitals, one Play A Thon & several nursing home recitals. Way to go Miss Julie!

Good luck!

Good luck to Miss Julie, Miss Kendall, Miss Alison and their friends as they perform in their school talent show this week! Best wishes!

THANK YOU!

Thank you to Miss Sofia for the donation of adorable Easter / Spring Stickers and empty soda bottles!

Thank you to Miss Sophia for the donation of empty soda bottles & pipe cleaners!

Thank you to Miss Emily for the donation of empty paper towel rolls!

Thank you to everyone who has been collecting items for the Home School Enrichment Program crafts I will be making at the library in a few weeks!

Good grades!

Congratulations to Miss Lailany for earning First Honors in her Sixth Grade Class! Hooray!

A round of applause goes to Mister Antonio for earning First Honors in his Seventh Grade Class! Way to go!

Congratulations to ALL of our piano students who earned terrific grades on their recent report cards! Please don't forget to enter your names in my Good Grades Jar (if your report card reflects grades that are all A's & B's or the equivalent there of!) so you have another chance to earn a gift card at our Winter Recital!

Knowledge is power! Academics & the fine arts are important in becoming a well rounded person!

Miss Lailany

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Lailany! She completed her Piano Adventures Primer Level Series this evening! She has already started working on her level 1 series! Miss Lailany performed in our Annual Winter Recital & our nursing home recital in December. She is preparing to perform at the Play A Thon at our local mall at the end of the month. Miss Lailany also enjoys playing the flute & volleyball! Congratulations!

Miss Danielle

Hooray for Miss Danielle! She completed her Piano Adventures Primer Level Series! She has already started working in her Level 1 Red Books! When Danielle is not playing piano, she enjoys playing with her American Girl Dolls. Danielle is preparing to perform at the Play A Thon at our local mall at the end of the month! Good luck Miss Danielle!

Mister Gabriel

Congratulations to Mister Gabriel for completing his Piano Adventures Level 1 Series. Gabe has already started working on his Level 2 (Blue Books)! Gabe really enjoys playing songs by The Beatles on the piano! When Gabe is not playing piano, he enjoys football, basketball, baseball and video games! Hooray for Gabe!

Congratulations to Miss Morgan!

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Morgan! Morgan completed her Piano Adventures Primer Level Series last evening! She has already started working away in her Level 1 books! Morgan will be performing at the Play A Thon at the mall at the end of February! When Miss Morgan is not playing piano, she is busy playing basketball this season! She also recently took up yoga! Miss Morgan also enjoying spending time at the pool all summer long! Congratulations Morgan!

Mister Cole

Congratulations to Mister Cole! Cole completed his set of My First Piano Adventures Level B yesterday! He already started his Level C set of books! Congratulations Cole! When Cole is not playing piano, he enjoys Cub Scouts & Basketball!

Jimmy & Julie

Thank you to Julie & Jimmy for the donating yarn & allowing me to borrow a stuffed musical Bach! I am going to use both at Bach's Birthday Bash! Bach's Birthday Bash is a class that I am going to co teach at the local library for students who are home schooled! Thank you again Jimmy & Julie!

Miss Jaime

Congratulations to Miss Jaime for completing her set of Piano Adventures Primer Level Books! Jaime has already started her level 1 red books! Miss Jaime will be performing at the play a thon! At the play a thon - she will be performing a duet with her flute instructor. Miss Jaime enjoys working on challenging music on her own & then performing it for me during her lesson! Way to go Miss Jaime! Congratulations!

MissArden

Thank you to Miss Arden for the donation of many fun stickers! I am certain our students will enjoy earning them!

Piano Tuning

Hello Pianists & Piano Owners!

As I type this, I am listening to the beautiful sounds of my beloved piano being tuned!

This is a friendly reminder to those of you who own pianos to have your piano tuned on a regular basis. I have mine tuned twice a year (in the middle of winter & the middle of summer).

Well cared for pianos have a life span of about 50 years. Pianos are made out of materials that are affected by their environment (wood, felt & leather). So a piano will go "out of tune" with the change in heat & humidity.

It is easier to practice on an instrument that is working properly!

Having your piano tuned is a lot like having the oil changed in your car. If you have it done on regular basis, your car will run better & last longer...

If you need information on finding a piano technician - please let me know. I would be more than happy to pass along a few names & numbers!

Ok, I will get off of my soapbox - because I can hardly wait to play my piano! It sounds amazing!

Hello all!

I have created a "Dynamic Club" for our piano students!

I want to reward our students who consistently play their music including all of the dynamics, accents, staccatos, legatos, octavas, fermatas, pedaling, etc. in addition to playing the correct notes & rhythms!

I also want to encourage those students who may forget from time to time to become more consistent in playing with all of the added details!

Our students often hear me refer to the notes & rhythms as "the cake" or "the foundation". I will then refer to the dynamics, staccatos, legatos, ritardandos, octavas, fermatas, pedaling, etc. as "the icing" or "the decorations". They certainly can make a good cake better!

So in order for a Note-worthy Experiences Student to become a member of the "Dynamic Club", they must fulfill the following criteria:
- perform their assigned lesson & performance book songs without missing "the icing" for 3 lessons in a row for Ms Renee at the lesson. (This does not include sight reading & performing brand new songs that are going to be assigned for the week.)
- once a student becomes a member, he or she must maintain their status at each lesson. Once a student becomes in eligible, he or she must start over & fulfill the criteria again for 3 lessons in a row.
- ALL students are eligible! Each student is required to perform only the details that are written on their printed music that they have been taught in lessons. For example, a preschooler would not be required to play a song with correct pedaling - however the preschooler would be required to play the song with "piano" or "forte" after it was covered in the lesson.
- Each member will receive a music themed paper to decorate with their name & dates of their accomplishments to hang on the french doors to our piano room.

Good luck!

I hope to see ALL 47 of our students' papers on the doors soon!

Miss Danielle & Miss Ericka

Thank you very much to Miss Danielle & Miss Ericka for the terrific donation of fun stickers to our sticker book! I am certain our piano friends will love earning them after their lessons! Thank you ladies!

Piano Students who are Cub Scouts...

Congratulations to all of our piano students who are also Cub Scouts for doing a terrific job at your Pinewood Derby Races this past weekend!

Matthew, Jimmy, Cole & Grant each created their race cars out of blocks of pinewood & raced them at their respective Pack Pinewood Derby Races.

- Jimmy won the "Best Design Award" from his pack for his car that was a clown!
- Grant won 2nd place at his pack race with his car shaped & decorated like a slice of pepperoni pizza!
- Cole won 1st place in his den race & first place in his pack race! Cole's car was yellow & red and decorated with lightning bolts. This was Cole's first year of participating in the Pinewood Derby!

Both Cole & Grant will move on to their District Pinewood Derby Race! Good luck boys!

Miss Arden

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Arden. Miss Arden played "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" for her entire music class. Her music class applauded for her. She was very proud of herself & her accomplishment! Hooray for Arden!

Miss Kendall

Congratulations to Miss Kendall for creating a successful school Science Fair Project!

Miss Kendall designed & created the "Piano Hand", which is used as a page turner when playing music! We can't wait to see photos!

This amazing invention would be very useful for all of our students, especially at events like our recital & the play a thon!

Way to go Kendall!

Free Video Game Sheet Music

Hello all!

If you love free sheet music or love video game music - please click on the link below! One of our new members of our piano family, Miss Elizabeth, has found this site & is looking forward to working on many of the songs on there! Thank you for sharing with us!

http://aivitran.blogspot.com/

Upcoming Events

Happy New Year!

While everyone is still celebrating the new year, putting away holiday decorations & playing with new gifts.... I am planning ahead for our piano students.

I spoke to the Activity Director of the local nursing home today. She stated that the residents LOVED our winter recital we performed on December 22nd. She would like for us to come back again in March or April. We will work on the details of that later.

The local chapter of the music teacher association that I belong to conducts an annual play a thon at our nearby mall. The money raised from this event benefits students who wish to study music. There are 3 different stages set where musicians perform all weekend long. This year the dates are February 27th & 28th. To date, we have over 15 of our students who have committed to participating! There is still plenty of time to sign up if you are interested! Each student must raise a minimum of $15 in donations in order to participate. I will award the Note-worthy Experiences Student who raises the most money (excluding Grant & Ellie) a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. Please contact me directly if you would like more information on how to participate in or donate to this worthy cause.

Enjoy the weekend!

Mister Antonio

Please join me in a huge round of applause for our Mister Antonio! Antonio was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at his school this morning! Antonio is a terrific role model for his two younger brothers and many of our other piano students with his leadership & academic talents! Way to Antonio!

Miss Alison

Hooray for Miss Alison! She performed Lunar Eclipse for her entire 4th grade music class! Congratulations Alison! If we are lucky - maybe Miss Alison will perform this beautiful song for us at the Annual Play A Thon at our local mall at the end of February! Way to go Miss Alison!

Miss Sophia

Congratulations to Miss Sophia! Just before her Christmas Break, she played Up On The Housetop & Go Tell It On The Mountain for her entire 1st grade music class. Later that day, her music teacher announced her accomplishments to all of the classes at lunch break! Then Miss Sophia played her songs for all of students at lunch. Sophia reported that everyone gave her a round of applause! Way to go!