The Boganyi Piano

In case you are in the market for a new piano and are looking for something a little modern and edgy...

http://www.boganyi-piano.com/en/piano/

Tell me what you think of this piano!

Miss Madeleine

Please join me in congratulating Miss Madeleine!  Madeleine completed her Level 2A Piano Adventures Series Books last week.  Madeleine has already started to work out of her Level 2B "Orange Books".  Miss Madeleine's favorite songs from the "Blue Books" are "The Dance of the Irish" and "Aardvark Boogie".  When she is not playing the piano, she enjoys ice skating lessons, skiing, math club, book club, and dancing.  Madeleine also plays the trumpet in her school band.  Her favorite colors are shades of blues.  While her favorite food is pasta.  Way to go Madeleine!

Miss Rachel

Please join me in a giant round of applause for Miss Rachel!  Miss Rachel completed her Level 2A Piano Adventures Series of Books this past week!  Rachel has begun working from her Level 2B "Orange Books".  Rachel's favorite color is aqua blue while her favorite foods are salmon burgers, pizza and corn.  Her favorite set of piano lesson books have been the "blue books".  When Rachel is not playing the piano, she enjoys reading, cooking and ballet classes.

Miss Julie

Please join me in a warm welcome to Miss Julie who will begin piano lessons and join our Note-worthy Experiences Family next week!

Master Clark

Congratulations to Master Clark!  Clark is our Piano Maestro of the Week!  Way to go!

The Piano Maestro of the Week is selected by the Piano Maestro Report that is sent to me by Joy Tunes Music.  Joy Tunes determines who our Piano Maestro is by who has played the app the most amount of time in a one week time frame!

Master Leo

Please join me in congratulating Master Leo!  Leo completed his My First Piano Adventure Level A Series this past week!  Leo has already started to work out of his Level B "Blue Books".  Leo's favorite color is red and his favorite food is penne pasta.  When he is not playing the piano, he enjoys playing Mine-craft, Sky Landers and Mario Brothers.  HOORAY for Leo!

Miss Serena

Please join me in a big round of applause for Miss Serena!  Miss Serena completed her Level 1 "Red Books" Piano Adventure Series this week.  Serena has already started working from her Blue Level 2A Books.  Swim team practice, swim meets, and playing with her big brother occupies Miss Serena when she is not playing the piano.  Serena loves mac and cheese and the color pink.  "Rain Dance" and "The Bubble" were Serena's two favorite songs to play from the "Red Books".  HOORAY Serena!

Master Joseph

Please join me in a hearty congratulations to Joseph!  Joe completed his Level 1 Piano Adventures Series Books last evening.  He has already started to work out of the Level 2A Books, which are also known here as the "Blue Books".  When Joe is not playing the piano he can be found at swim team practice, swim meets, reading, or playing video games.  His favorite foods are "any kid of Chinese Food".  His favorite color is green.  Joe enjoys reading adventure and fantasy books.  "The Bubble" was his favorite song to play from the "Red Books".  Way to go Joe!

Master Owen

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Master Owen!  Owen recently graduated from his Primer Level (Purple) Books.  He is already working out of his Level 1 (Red) Piano Adventures Series of Books!  When Owen is not practicing on his "brand new to him" piano he enjoys many other activities.  Those activities include reading, skiing, hockey, football and video games. His favorite song in the Purple Books was "Tight Rope Walker".  His favorite color is red and his favorite food is sushi!  Congratulations to Owen!

Preparing for a performance...

 I am often asked why I offer so many activities for students.  I offer group classes, nursing home recitals, formal winter recitals, personal in home recitals, Piano Guild and piano parties.  I offer these as an opportunity for students to participate in IF they choose to do so.  I believe that the more opportunities students have to perform in front of others the easier it becomes as students learn how to deal with all of the emotions and stresses of performing in a variety of settings.  Below is a link to a great article about overcoming performance anxieties.  Please check it out.

http://www.teachpianotoday.com/2014/07/02/how-to-teach-piano-students-to-overcome-performance-anxiety/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-teach-piano-students-to-overcome-performance-anxiety

Additional thoughts on practicing...

I read A LOT about pianos and teaching.  I like to read about to teach and how to coach students towards independence at home.  Below is a link to a great article about the important of practice even if it is for a short increment of time.

http://davidrichardpianist.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/thoughts/

Miss Alexa

Please join me in a warm welcome to Miss Alexa who will be joining our Note-worthy Experiences Family today as a new student.  I am really excited to work with Alexa at the piano!

How to beat the summer heat...

This is how several piano students plan to beat the summer heat this year! 
We will be playing and singing "Do You Want To Build A Snowman?" and MANY other fun songs from "Frozen".

Ivory Keys - are they illegal?

Hello Piano Friends!

Do you own a piano?  Do you own a piano with real ivory keys?  If so, you may want to read this article regarding the Obama Administration's ban on the selling and trading of ANY piano with ivory keys.  This post is not meant to be political.  It is only intended to inform piano enthusiasts about the new law.

http://pianopricepoint.com/piano-blog/

Miss Taylor

Congratulations to Miss Taylor! Taylor completed her Level 1 "Red Books" Piano Adventures Series last evening.  She has already started to work from her Level 2 "Blue Books".  Taylor has performed at the local nursing home and Winter Holiday Recital.  She is beginning to prepare for the National Piano Guild Auditions this spring.


She also enjoys playing soccer, swim team, futsol, tennis, and dancing in hip hop classes.  Taylor loves animals of all kinds, and she especially enjoys playing with her boxer puppy. 

HOORAY FOR MISS TAYLOR!!!!!!

Is Music the Key to Success?

This article was sent to me by one of my adult students.  I found it to be an very interesting article.  Is music the common thread? 

I often tell my students that if playing the piano was easy, then everyone would know how to play!  I tell my students that if performing and recording was easy then everyone would do it and no one would pay money to see and hear live and recorded performances.  Students usually give me a grin and go back to their work at the piano.  

Read on and tell me what you think.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/opinion/sunday/is-music-the-key-to-success.html?_r=0

Piano & technology

Hello!
I am looking for YOUR ideas on fun apps, YouTube videos, etc. that can help students with note recognition, basic theory and general fun.  I have a few that I really like and I am using them more often in the piano studio.  Let me know which ones you prefer!

Miss Rachel's Personal Recital

Today was a very big day!  I attended my first personal recital that one of my students, Miss Rachel, conducted in her home.  Also in attendance were Rachel's parents, sister, friends and her friends' mothers.  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon!

Upon their arrival, everyone signed in.  The easel was decorated with Rachel's certificate, photos and a welcome sign.  The room was decorated in black and white decorations as well as musical notes.  Rachel's biography was prominently placed on the table.  (I even learned new things about Rachel from this biography!)  All guests were given a lovely printed program (which is my souvenir).  Rachel's father gave a lovely introduction and welcome speech.  Rachel performed seven of her favorite songs from her Primer Level Books and her closing piece was from a Level 1 Book.  She did a fantastic job playing!  Rachel's mother captured all of this on video.  Following the performance, Rachel served her guests fresh fruit and cupcakes that were decorated with chocolate musical symbols.

Rachel smiles during her entire lesson every week.  I have honestly never seen her without her beautiful smile.  I think it was an even bigger and prouder smile today!

After the recital, Rachel told me she is looking forward to her second personal recital.  We talked about some other fun ideas for the next celebration!

Miss Rachel put together a fantastic event!  I am thrilled that I was able to be a part of it! 

I am honored that each week students and their families come into MY home to learn about the piano with me.  I consider all of my students and their families a part of my extended family.  Today was a unique experience in that I was privileged enough to enter into the home of a piano family and join in a very special celebration.

Miss Rachel

Please join me in a huge round of applause for Miss Rachel!  Miss Rachel completed her Primer Level Piano Adventures Series today.  She has already started working out of her Red Level 1 Books.  She even worked ahead of the assignments I gave her!   Rachel has already performed at the local nursing home two times!

Rachel works very hard at the piano, but keeps smiling at all times!

When Rachel is not playing the piano she enjoys spending time with her family, watching movies, and playing Wii games.  Rachel took a ballet class this past year but will be taking a hip hop dance class this fall.  She also just finished her season of playing softball.

Congratulations Miss Rachel!  I am very proud of you!

Master Max

Please join me with a heart felt welcome for Master Max.  Max will be joining our Note-worthy Experiences Piano Family later this month!  I am already excited about working with Max at the piano!