Master Isaac

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Master Isaac!  Isaac completed his Primer Level "purple" Piano Adventures Series Books this evening.  He has already started to work from the Level 1 books.  Isaac performed in the Winter Holiday Recital this past weekend also.  When he is not practicing at the piano, he enjoys playing video games and playing with his Legos.  Congratulations Isaac!

Master Cole

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Master Cole!  Cole completed his Level 1 "Red" Piano Adventures Series last evening.  Cole has already started to work from his Level 2 books!  When Cole is not playing the piano, he enjoys soccer, basketball, Boy Scouts and spending time with his family.  Congratulations Cole!

Miss Sophia

Thank you to Miss Sophia for donating a large bag of candy to the studio!  I know our students will enjoy the candy after their piano lessons over the next few weeks!  Thank you very much!

Miss McKenna

Congratulations to Miss McKenna!  She completed her Level 1 Piano Adventures Series this week!  Miss McKenna has been enjoying playing Christmas Music as well.  When she is not busy playing the piano, she enjoys soccer.  McKenna has taught herself how to play several songs on the piano by using an iPad.  She is looking forward to her very exciting family vacation in just a few short weeks!

Miss Jordyn

Congratulations to Miss Jordyn!  Jordyn recently performed "Five Fat Turkeys Are We" for her music class at her school.  Jordyn's music teacher did not tell the class the title of the song before Jordyn played it, and the entire class was able to guess the name of the song.  Jordyn is currently preparing to perform in her first Winter Holiday Recital.  Hooray for Jordyn!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our many piano students who have recently completed successful fall sports seasons!  Best wishes to those who still have a few tournaments left to play.

Good luck to those who are starting to play winter sports too!

Our piano students are very busy with many extra curricular activities in addition to piano lessons!  These students are learning valuable time management skills.

Miss Madison

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Madison!  She successfully completed her Level 2B Piano Adventures Series Books this evening!  She has already started to work on her Level 3 "Green Books".  When Miss Madison is not playing the piano, she can be found playing soccer, field hockey or basketball.  Congratulations Madison!

MIss Natalie & Miss Jason

Congratulations to Miss Natalie and Mr. Jason for doing a terrific job playing songs from memory on the organ at a local science center.  The guests at the center were able to recognize the songs & commended them on doing a wonderful job!  Hooray!

Miss Natalie also played one of her winter holiday recital songs from memory at her choir practice.  People in the area were wowed by her performance.

Nursing Home Recital

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Jackie, Serena, Sydney, Abigail, Emily, Jason, Natalie, Grant and Ellen who played the piano at a local nursing home for the residents.  All of our students did a terrific job! 

Thank you to students who visited with the residents following the recital.

Thank you to the students who played additional songs that they were not planning to perform.

Thank you to the students and parents for being patient as we had a significant communication failure, which was completely my fault, about what time we were to begin the recital. 

Thank you to the residents for being an incredible audience!

Thank you to the nursing home staff for sharing donuts and punch with our students following the recital.

We are looking forward to another recital at this nursing home on December 6th.  The time is yet to be confirmed. 

Miss Jordyn

Congratulations to Miss Jordyn!  She recently performed "A Song About Cats" for her 2nd grade music class at her school on the piano.  Jordyn said she enjoyed having everyone clap for her.  Hooray for Jordyn!

Best wishes

Best wishes to all of our students who are heading back to school!  I hope you have a terrific year full of fun, friends and learning!  Keep in mind that your hard work can pay off for you with entries into the "Good Grades Jar".

Our Harry Potter Inspired Music Class

As you can clearly see from the photos above, we had a TERRIFIC time with our Harry Potter Inspired Music Class!  I think that my husband and I had as much fun as our students!  All of our students who are working from Level 1 lesson books or higher were invited to this special one time only group piano class!  Many students arrived in costumes and/ or brought props!  All of the students enjoyed snacks, including Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans & listened to some Harry Potter Soundtracks.  I think that the ear wax & soap flavors were more popular over booger, black pepper, dirt, earthworm, grass, rotten egg, vomit & sausage flavors.  All of the students (also known as Muggles & Half Bloods) watched a documentary on the music and sounds effects of the Harry Potter Movies.  During the documentary, we had paused to have multiple discussions about how important a soundtrack is to a movie, how the music was composed & transposed, etc.  Our Muggles LOVED the interviews with the composers!  Following the documentary, our students were "sorted" into houses for a special project.  Thank you to my friend, Patti, for letting us borrow her Sorting Hat.  Thank you to my friend, Michael, for letting us borrow his cauldron!  Once our students were sorted into houses, we formed alliances and went into the piano studio to study a simple version of "Hedwig's Theme".  Then our houses of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor worked together while Ravenclaw and Slytherin worked together.  Each of the two teams recreated their own version of "Hedwig's Theme" and performed it for the other houses and parents.  As a souvenir of our journey, each student received several Harry Potter silly bands to wear & trade.  So much fun was had by all!  Thank you to all of our students who participated!

Miss Danielle

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Danielle!  Miss Danielle successfully completed her Level 1 "Red Books" Piano Adventures Series yesterday.  She has already started to work on the pieces she hopes to perform at the Annual Winter Holiday Recital.  Miss Danielle has performed at the local nursing home and the Holiday Recital in the past.  In May of 2011, she successfully auditioned before the National Piano Guild Judge and became a Local Member of the National Piano Guild.  When Danielle is not playing the piano, she enjoys spending time with her friends and her family.  Danielle is also a terrific artist.  She recently had her works on display at the local mall and her work is on display at her school.  CONGRATULATIONS!

Miss Arden

Congratulations to Miss Arden for completing her Level 1 "Red" Piano Adventures Series last week!  Miss Arden has already started to work form her Level 2A Books!  Miss Arden has performed in multiple Winter Holiday Recitals and multiple nursing home recitals.  When Arden is not practicing the piano, she enjoys horseback riding and spending time with her family.

Thank you to Miss Arden for the donation of the adorable Horse Stickers!  I am sure that other students will work extra hard in the piano studio to earn those stickers.

Miss Vibha

Hooray to Miss Vibha!  Vibha completed her Primer Level Piano Adventures Series this evening!  Miss Vibha has already started to work from her Level 1 Books!  Miss Vibha is excited to be preparing to perform in her first Winter Holiday Recital this year.  She is consistently eligible to enter into the Practice Jar Contest on a weekly basis.  Maybe she will be our winner this year!  Vibha enjoys school, playing with her friends, swimming and arts & crafts.  She recently recreated the song "Trains A Coming" into a color coded bead project.  It is beautiful!  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of the bead song!  Congratulations Vibha!  We are very proud of you!

Miss Lailany

Congratulations to Miss Lailany!  Lailany finished her Level 2A Piano Adventures Series Books this evening!  She has already started working on her Level 2B Books.  She has already started to work on two songs to perform at the Winter Holiday Recital.  Lailany  has performed at the local nursing home on many occasions.  She has also performed in two Play A Thons.  This spring she successfully auditioned for the National Piano Guild.   Lailany also plays volleyball and is in her school One Act Play Club.  Miss Lailany is an honors student at her school and is a Girl Scout.  In addition, Miss Lailany is a child care provider for Ms. Renee's children on a regular basis during other students' lessons.  Hooray Lailany!

Miss Elizabeth

Congratulations to Miss Elizabeth for completing her Level 3A Piano Adventures Series of books last evening.  Miss Elizabeth has already started to work from her Level 3B (Purple) books!  Elizabeth has participated in one Winter Holiday Recital, two Play A Thons, two National Piano Guild Auditions, and multiple nursing home recitals.  She is a gold pin, National Member of the National Piano Guild.  (Which means she performed 9 songs, 9 coordinating scales and 9 sets of coordinating scales from memory and one sight reading piece in front of a National Judge).  Elizabeth has already started to work on her pieces for this year's Winter Holiday Recital.  Elizabeth is a consistent member of the honor roll at her school.  She also plays soccer, runs cross country and is actively involved with the Girl Scouts.  In her free time, she enjoys video games and her dogs.  Hooray for Elizabeth!

Practice

Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.
-Vince Lombardi

Miss Abigail

Hip Hip Hooray for Miss Abigail for completing her Level 1 "Red" Piano Adventures Series!  Miss Abigail has been studying the piano with Note-worthy Experiences since September.  She previously learned how to play from her older sister.  She has performed in a Winter Holiday Recital, at the local nursing home, the Play A Thon and before that National Piano Guild Judge.  When Abigail is not practicing the piano, she enjoys traveling to Michigan to be with her extended family.  Congratulations to Miss Abigail!

Miss Vibha

Congratulations to Miss Vibha!  She sang "My Favorite Things" in her school talent show on Friday evening.  Then on Saturday she sang in a festival at her temple.  Now that is a busy weekend of musical performances!  Way to go Miss Vibha, we are very proud of you!

Miss Lailany

Best wishes to our very own Miss Lailany!  Lailany will be performing with six of her classmates this weekend in a One Act Play Competition.  Miss Lailany has been rehearsing for this play all while she prepared to perform before the National Piano Guild Judge last week.  Good luck Lailany!  We can't wait to see photos!

Miss Elizabeth

A big thank you to Miss Elizabeth for the donation of adorable stickers to our piano studio!  Our students are very motivated by fun stickers!  I know they will enjoy working hard to earn them!  Thank you for your kind donation!

Thank you to Miss Jaimeson & Mister Trevor

Thank you to Miss Jaimeson & Mister Trevor for the generous donation of yummy candy for the piano studio candy dish!  I know that many of our students will enjoy working extra hard at the piano to earn candy!  Thank you!

Good luck to Miss Natalie

Good luck to our very own Miss Natalie!  We are super excited for our Miss Natalie as she will be performing in her school play production this weekend!  We can't wait to hear all about it and see photos!

The 2011 National Piano Guild Auditions

The 2011 National Piano Guild Auditions were held this week at our studio.  I am elated to announce that all 18 of our students who auditioned, passed with flying colors!  All of our students did an incredible job!  All of our students tried their very best!  I am very proud of each of them!  Thank you to all of the students, parents, and grandparents who helped make this day a huge success!

Together, our students earned 442 C's.  C's represent "commendable" and is the best mark a student can receive.  Our students collectively earned 57 A's.  A's mean that the specific area "needs attention" and is the lower mark that a student can receive.  I think that is a wonderful report card for our studio!  HOORAY!  Thank you to all of the students who put their heart & soul into these auditions.  These 18 students worked on their scales, chords and songs for weeks & months.  These students gave up many other fun activities to practice, come to lessons and audition.  These students missed part of their school day to participate in this event.  Many parents took time away from their work day to ensure that their child could participate in this event. 

There were tears from students and tears from me the teacher when no one was looking to get us ready for this big day.  In the end, I know it was worth every second and tear!  I know it was worth my sleepless nights.  I know it was worth me making muffins and scrubbing the kitchen floor only hours before the audition.  I know it was worth it by looking at my students faces when they walked out of the studio after their audition.  I can tell by the high 5's I received.  I know by the shrieks in the students' voices when I called them with their results on the telephone!  I know it was worth it all by watching them smile when they received their pins & certificates.  Am I willing to do this again next year?  YOU BET I AM!  Last year, we had 9 students audition.  This year, we had 18.  Do you think we can have 27 next year?  I can only hope & dream! 

The 18 students who participated this year have become better pianists while preparing.  Some of them don't realize it just yet - but they have.  While preparing for these auditions, our students also learned a lot about presenting themselves with poise & confidence.  We worked on shaking hands & introducing ourselves to a stranger.  We worked on making eye contact and smiling.  We worked on breathing, remaining calm & staying focused in a very stressful situation.  I know that not all of my students will use these skills while playing the piano for the rest of their lives.  But I do know that they will use these skills later in life in other aspects - and I am thrilled!

Our judge was fair in that she complimented the aspects that each student was successful and yet noted the areas in which each student could improve.  We will take these comments to heart & use them to our advantage to help our students improve individually and as a group.  I am currently conducting student / parent / teacher conferences with each Guild Member to review the report card & detailed comments for each student.  I will send an e-mail to all students / parents regarding the more global comments & suggestions that were gathered.  Personally, I think the day went very smoothly. I am thrilled that all of the students have glowing report cards!  I think that we all have plenty to learn about how to improve.

So what is next for the Note-worthy Experiences Studio you wonder?  Well, believe it or not... summer fun and resting upon our successes for just a bit.  Each Guild Participant is asked to take the drivers seat for a little while and we are going to work on what they want to.  Then we will get back to our basics and then, drum roll please... we will prepare for our 5th Annual Winter Recital to be held in December!  Of course we will make a few appearances at the local nursing home in between now and then!

Miss Jaime

Congratulations to Miss Jaime for playing a flute solo at her school band concert on Wednesday evening!  Unfortunately, Jaime was not able to perform this same flute solo during the school day on Wednesday for her entire school because she was playing the piano for the National Piano Guild Judge.  Now that is a busy musical day!  Way to go Jaime!

Miss Vibha

Please join me in congratulating Miss Vibha!  She recently played Ode to Joy for her entire music class at school on the piano from memory!  Vibha stated her favorite part was when the class clapped for her!  She is looking forward to playing the piano again for her class.  HOORAY!

83 Songs

83 Songs, yes that is the number of pieces that 18 of our students are preparing to perform from memory in front of a National Piano Guild Judge here at my studio on Wednesday.  This does not include the number of scales and chords that will be performed from memory!  I am proud of each and every one of my students for all that they try and achieve.  I am extremely proud of these 18 students who have opted to take their piano playing to the next level of dedication.  Participating in this event is optional, but does include a lot of work and preparation.  In order for these students to prepare, many of them make other sacrifices.  I am thrilled that these students have made that decision.  I am so happy that several students have been able to state that their piano skills have increased greatly in the past few months while they have been preparing.  No matter what the results are at the end of the day next Wednesday, I will be elated and proud knowing that each of these 18 students worked hard and tried their very best.

Miss Jacklyn

Congratulations to our very own Miss Jacklyn!  Jackie recently performed at a local piano retailer showroom while the business owners held a business networking mixer event.  Jackie played one of her favorite pieces, "Butterfly Fly Away" by Miley Cyrus.  Miss Jacklyn performed on piano that was once played by Tony Bennett, took two years to make and is valued at $160,000.  Jackie had a terrific time.  Thank you to our friends Peter & Elizabeth for making this opportunity available to Jackie!

Miss Claire

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Claire!  Miss Claire completed her Primer Level Piano Adventure Series Books on Monday evening!  She has already started to work from her Level 1 "Red Books".  Claire has performed in our Winter Holiday Recital, a nursing home recital and the local Play A Thon.  When Claire is not playing the piano, she enjoys spending time with her family, and their two dogs.  She is also a member of a local summer swim team and Brownies.  Congratulations Claire!  We are VERY proud of you! 

Miss Sydney

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Sydney!  She recently was visiting her grandmother in a local nursing home.  While she was there, she performed an impromptu recital for the residents.  The residents loved having her perform!  Congratulations!

Miss Natalie

Please join me in a round of applause for Miss Natalie!  Natalie completed her Primer Level Series of the Piano Adventures Books this evening!  She has already started working in her Level 1 "Red" Books!  When Miss Natalie is not playing the piano, she enjoys swimming on a winter and a summer swim team!  Natalie also enjoys spending time with her family!  CONGRATULATIONS Natalie!

Good luck on your National Piano Guild Auditions

Good luck to 18 of our 44 students who will be performing their scales, chords and songs from memory before a National Piano Guild Judge in less than one month!  Best wishes to Jonathan, Gabriel, Kendall, Sydney, Antonio, Danielle, Ericka, Abigail, Emily, Grace, Jaimeson, Trevor, April, Elizabeth, Lailany, Jaime, Matthew and Jacklyn on your performances!  I believe in you!  I know that these months and weeks of hard work and practice will pay off!  Some of you have already spent hours with your metronomes!  Some of your family members know your songs by heart!  It will be worth it all in the end!  Especially when you get to dive into my incredible buffet of snacks and treats when you are done with your performance.  Trust me you will be proud of yourself when you receive your beautiful certificates and shiny pins.  Good luck to all of you!  I am proud of each and every one of you!
Hugs!

Miss Mary Kate

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Mary Kate!  Miss Mary Kate completed her Level 1 Piano Adventures Series aka The Red Books this evening!  She has already started to work from her Level 2A Books tonight!  Miss Mary works very hard at the piano and smiles during her entire lesson week after week!  When she is not playing the piano, she can be found practicing her violin.  She is currently preparing for her school band concert next week.  Congratulations Mary Kate!

Mister Trevor

Please join me in a round of applause for Mister Trevor!  Trevor completed the Level C Books of the My First Piano Adventures Series yesterday!  He already started working from his Level 1 "Red" Books last week!  Trevor is currently preparing to perform in front of the National Piano Guild Judge in May for the very first time!  Trevor works very hard at the piano and I know he will do a terrific job!  Trevor will also be performing at the local nursing home in April.  When Trevor is not playing the piano, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family!  Congratulations Trevor!

This week so far...

Thank you to all 19 of our Monday and Tuesday students for understanding that my Ellen was ill with a terrible stomach bug.  Our cleaning lady was here yesterday morning.  So I think we are in the clear and planning another night of terrific lessons!

Congratulations to our Wednesday students!  Everyone was here and on all time for all of the lessons!  All of the students worked very hard last night and made me VERY proud!  (I think I need jelly beans out all of the time as a motivator!)

Congratulations to all 18 of our students who are preparing to perform in front of the National Piano Guild Judge for getting off to a great start!  All 18 of our students are working away on their songs!  These students put their heart & soul into this.  They work on the same songs for WEEKS and  HOURS each week!  This can be very frustrating for some students, it is truly hard work.  As a father of a student said last night, "No pain, no gain.".  Well the gain in the instance is INCREDIBLE!  So if you know a pianist preparing for this major musical milestone - please keep encouraging them along the way!

Miss McKenna

Please join me in congratulating Miss McKenna for completing her Primer Level Piano Adventures Series Books this evening!  She has already started to work on her Level 1 "Red Books". McKenna has been playing the piano since this fall.  She performed in our Winter Holiday Recital.  In addition to playing the piano, Miss McKenna enjoys playing soccer and spending time with her family.  HOORAY for McKenna!

Miss Emily

Please join me in applauding Miss Emily!  Miss Emily completed her level 3B "Green Books" Piano Adventures Series today!  Miss Emily is currently preparing to perform for the 2nd year in a row before the National Piano Guild Judge.  Emily did a terrific job last year & we know she will do the same this year.  She recently performed several piano solos & a duet with her younger sister at the local mall for the Play A Thon.  When Emily is not playing the piano, she can be found at karate, Spanish Class, her poetry group, numerous church activities and with her family.  Congratulations Miss Emily!

Mister Billy

Please join me in a round of applause for Mister Billy!  Billy completed his Level 2B "Orange" Piano Adventures Series Books last evening!  He has already started to work from his 3A "Green" Books!  Billy has recently resumed lessons with Note-worthy Experiences again after moving away with his family and now back again.  Since Billy has been back in the piano studio, he is more motivated than ever to complete his lesson books!  When Billy is not playing the piano, he can be found cheering on his favorite Philadelphia Pro Sports Teams, the Eagles & the Phillies!  Congratulations Billy!  We are very proud of you!

Mister Matthew

Congratulations to Mister Matthew!  Matthew completed his Level 1 "Red" Piano Adventures Books yesterday!  He has already started to work on his Level 2A Books!  Matthew is currently preparing for his first audition before the National Piano Guild Judge this spring!  He is also looking forward to his upcoming birthday and the start of baseball season.  When Matthew is not playing the piano he can be found on the football field, basketball court, a cub scout event or swimming in his backyard with his family and friends!  Way to go Matthew, we are very proud of you!

Miss Danielle

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Danielle!  Danielle played "A Clair de la Lune" on the piano for her music class last week!  Her classmates enjoyed the performance!  Hooray for Danielle!

Mister Jonathan

Please join me in congratulating Mister Jonathan on completing his Level 2A Piano Adventures Series of books!  He has already started working on his Level 2B "Orange" Books.  Jonathan recently performed in the Play A Thon and is preparing to audition before the National Piano Guild Judge this spring!  He has also recently earned the "Arrow of Light" with his Cub Scout Pack.  When Jonathan is not practicing the piano, he enjoys playing video games.  Hooray for Jonathan!

2011 Play A Thon

The 2011 Play A Thon was a huge success! 

Please join me in a mega round of applause for the following students who performed: Serena, Sydney, Grant, Ellie, Antonio, Cristofero, Vincent, Jaime, Elizabeth, Jackie, April, Grace, Claire, Emily, Abigail, Carson, Jonathan, Lailany, and Sophia!  All of our performers did a terrific job and drew a fairly large audience throughout their performances.  It was fun to see shoppers that we didn't know stop to listen & applaud!

Once the Play A Thon Committee gives me the final tally of our students' donations, I will award a gift card to our top donation collector. 

This year the weekend long event raised about $5,500 by having about 240 students perform!

The money raised will benefit the Lehigh Valley Music Teacher Association's Scholarship Funds.

Thank you to all of you for your support!

Miss Lailany

A huge thank you to Miss Lailany for meeting myself and the Play A Thon Committee early this morning to lend a helping hand!  Lailany was very helpful in getting everything set up for the big event!  Thank you Lailany!  All of us appreciate you!

Miss Sophia

Thank you very much to Miss Sophia & her family for the generous gift of a bag of Tootsie Pops for the studio!  I am certain that our students will be working extra hard during their lessons to earn a big Tootsie Pop after along with their sticker!  Thank you again!  Now how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?  That will be the question of the week!

Miss Natalie

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Natalie!  Natalie completed her Primer Level "Purple" Piano Adventures Series of books last evening!  She has already started working from her Level 1 "Red" Books!  Miss Natalie has been working very hard at the piano since this fall with Ms. Renee.  When she is not playing the piano, Natalie can be found spending time with her family.  Congratulations Natalie!  I am very proud of you!

Nursing Home Recital

Please join me in congratulating the 11 of our students who took the time from their schedules to perform for the residents at a local nursing home!  Jaime, Serena, Sydney, Abigail, Emily, Jackie, Antonio, Vincent, Cristofero, Grant and Ellie all thrilled the audience with their own introductions, performances and bows! The residents loved seeing all of our students and listening to them perform their songs that they will be performing at the upcoming Play A Thon.  Some residents even commented on how much our students have improved!  Our students & parents were treated to cookies, cake and drinks following the event.  The residents are already looking forward to our April Recital that we have planned.  Thank you to all of tonight's performers for sharing your talents with others.  Thank you to all of the parents who were the chauffeurs once again and helped our students understand how heart warming it can be to share the gift and talent of music!

"Good Grades Jar" is filling quickly!

Hello!
Our "Good Grades Jar" is filling up fast!  Each Note-worthy Experiences Student has the opportunity to enter their name in the jar 4times a year!  In order to enter, the students must either show me their report card or have their parent vouch for them that they received all A's & B's or the equivalent thereof.  Each year at our Winter Holiday Recital, one lucky name is drawn from the jar & that person receives a $25 gift card from me!  The gift cards have been for places like Blockbuster Video, Circuit City, Barnes & Noble, etc.!  This is a huge motivator for many students to continue to work hard at their academics!  I firmly believe that our students must focus on their academics in addition to the fine arts, so I simply want to reward our students for their hard work!  Congratulations to all of our students who received terrific report cards & parent teacher conferences!  Congratulations to all of our honor roll & distinguished honor students!  I am proud of all of you!

Miss Mary Kate

Thank you to Miss Mary Kate for bringing her violin to her piano lesson & playing a song for me to enjoy! I can hardly wait to hear her perform the same song on the piano next week! Thank you for a lovely performance!

New 20011 Record!

Note-worthy Experiences has set a 2011 Record!  Drum roll please....

We had 43 talented and enthusiastic pianists here for lessons this week!  No, that is not a typo!  All of our students attended their lessons (with the exception one student who attended a funeral!  Our deepest sympathies to her and her family).  Two of the students were my own children - but a lesson taught is a lesson taught, right?  We had a week in which no one forgot about their lesson, no one was sick, no one had to reschedule due to another extracurricular schedule conflict and the biggest amazing factor.... no one canceled or rescheduled due to the weather!  The students who were running a tiny bit late called to let me know!  It was an incredible week!  

I have to take a peak at my 2010 records, but I believe the last time this phenomenon occurred (or we even came this close) was the week before our Winter Holiday Recital!

Secretly I think everyone came to piano lessons because they all have cabin fever & are tired of playing the same songs for homework!  Ha ha!

Since we have had such a terrific week in the piano studio, I am confident that we will have an incredible recital at our local nursing home on Tuesday and a spectacular Play A Thon Event.

Thank you to all of our students, parents, nannies, & grandparents who helped make this week a record setting week!

Please feel free to stand up from your seat, let go of your mouse or put down your smart phone to give our students a standing ovation and a round of applause!

Annual Play A Thon

Hello all!

It is time again for our students to perform at the local mall in the Annual Play A Thon!  We are very excited for this year's event which starts in 10 days!  This year we have students performing on Saturday and Sunday.  Over 400 students total will be performing on 3 different stages all weekend long!

Each student is required to raise a minimum of $15 in donations.  Each student will receive a goody bag & the chance to win other prizes.  The Note-worthy Experiences Student who raises the most money will receive a $25 gift card from me!  The monies raised are used for music scholarships for our local students.  Please contact me via my e-mail at renee_bordner@yahoo.com if you are interested in making a donation.

Please feel free to stop by the mall to support the Note-worthy Experiences Students and other students as well! If you wish to stop by at a specific time to support a particular student, please send me a message & I will let you know what time and at which stage the student will be tickling the ivories!

Thank you for your continued support!

Miss Haley

Congratulations to Miss Haley!  Miss Haley played Beethoven's Ode to Joy for her music class at school last week.  Her class was learning about Beethoven and the class clapped the rhythm while Haley played.  Hooray for Haley!  We are all very proud of you! 

Miss Kendall

Please join me in a round of applause for Miss Kendall!  Kendall will be playing the role of Annie with a group of her friends in her school talent show skit.  She was also one of five students selected from her elementary school to perform in the area middle school day long SongFest.  Over 65 other students were not selected for this opportunity!  Congratulations Kendall we are very proud of you!  When Kendall is not playing the piano or performing on stage, she can be found taking dance classes, and playing with her younger sister and dog.

Miss Jaime

Congratulations to Miss Jaime for auditioning & earning the role of a squirrel in a local theater production of "A Year With Frog and Toad".  Miss Jaime recently performed the role of a doll in "The Christmas Doll" at this theater! 

When Jaime is not playing the piano or acting, she can be found playing with her pet gerbils she received for Christmas or playing with her brother & dog!

Best wishes Jaime!  We are VERY proud of you!

Good Luck to Gabe & Aurora

Best wishes to Gabe & Aurora who will performing piano solos at their school talent show this Friday!  Good luck!  I am very proud of both of you!

Miss Aurora

Please join me in congratulating Miss Aurora for completing her Level B My First Piano Adventures Series.  Miss Aurora has already started to work on her Level C books and is looking forward to getting started in the Level 1 Red Books after that!  She has her eyes set on the goal!  When Miss Aurora is not playing the piano, she enjoys playing with her kitten (that Santa brought her), cheerleading and taking dance classes.  Congratulations Miss Aurora!

Credit & Debit Card Payments for Lessons!

Hello all!
Note-worthy Experiences is now accepting all major credit & debit cards for payments for lessons and recital fees!  Thanks to the Square App on my iPhone!  For more information, please contact me or go to www.squareup.com

Miss Jaime

Please join me in a huge round of applause for our Miss Jaime!  Jaime completed her Piano Adventures Level 1 Series (aka The Red Books).  She has already started to work on her next set of books!  Jaime is also preparing for performing in the annual Play A Thon and National Piano Guild Auditions.  Many of you will remember Jaime's incredible performances of "Carol of the Bells" and "Greensleeves" at our Winter Holiday Recital.  When Jaime is not busy playing the piano, she can be found playing soccer, playing her flute, performing in her school chime choir or spending time with her family.
Congratulations Miss Jaime!

Monday Super Stars!

Hello!

Happy New Year to you and your family!

Like everyone, I have made a lengthy list of New Year's Resolutions!  I hope this finds you keeping all of yours, so far!

Yesterday was the first day back to work and school, or "reality" for many of you!  I was ready to get back to the Bordner Household Routine.

I was completely re-energized and excited to be back in the piano studio to do what I love - teaching piano lessons!  I was fully prepared to be met with students who were still recovering from the mega piano recital, and their holiday celebrations, who had not practiced over the break!  I was expecting for students to cancel their lessons at the last minute with crazy excuses.  I was expecting to hear students complain about how they don't want to work on their lesson & theory work and how they think it is boring and hard!

Guess what?  I WAS WRONG!  Instead, I was greeted by every student who was scheduled to be here!  These students who not only practiced, but many met the "Practice Jar" requirements & were eligible to be entered in the drawing!  These students were motivated & excited!  Some students set some goals & new year resolutions to achieve amazing things!  I taught lessons from 3:15 - 8:45 pm to students who were as excited as me to be working at the piano!  (Even Mr. Bordner came into the piano room late last night to practice - which is unheard of!) The energy that was created in the piano studio ignited a fire that has burned into today's lessons!  How long can we keep this fire burning?  Who wants to keep adding to this fire of energy & excitement?  What piano goals to you (or your student(s)) have for 2011?  Let me know so we can work on them together! 

FYI - Mr. Bordner says he is going to play "Carol of the Bells" at the 2011 Recital.  However, since he is still working on finding middle C, we may have to adapt this goal slightly!  Nonetheless, a goal is a goal!

I hope that 2011 brings you peace & joy!