*** Accepting new students for 2025/26! ***
1. Make music a part of family life
listen to recordings
attend concerts (many orchestras or ensembles have special concerts just for children)
make music together
read books about composers and types of music
encourage participation in summer music camps or orchestras
continually encourage your student in his or her progress
2. Establish a practice schedule and stick to it
a regular practice time is essential to forming a "practice habit"
pick a time each day that works for the whole family
consistent and quality practice is key (It is much better to be focused and practice well for fifteen minutes daily than to practice for thirty minutes with distractions)
make practicing a priority, not allowing other chores or responsibilities to interfere with it
for younger children, oversee the practice time, making sure your student is following the teacher's instructions
3. Stay motivated
keep track of practice time and offer incentives for number of minutes spent practicing or for completion of a particular musical goal (e.g., completing a song, etude, or difficult section)
use a lesson assignment sheet and check off each item as it is practiced
record songs at the beginning and end of the week to hear progress
have "performance" nights regularly where a student may play for the family or friends
be encouraging to your child; learning an instrument takes time and hard work
do not allow your child to give up easily, and talk to me for additional suggestions of ways to help
explore other musical genres and traditions as well as classical music to foster a love of music in general and a broader musical intelligence