And so it starts...

Welcome to the new school year and the new Blue Skies music year. It appears that everyone had a fun, busy summer, including me. I am looking forward to life settling back into a routine, as well as life can.

In trying to be better organized this year, I have made up a Group Lesson schedule for the year, which can be seen here. I plan on sticking as closely to this schedule as possible. Please notice that our group lesson/recital in December is actually a visit to the Extended Care facility at Payson Hospital. The piano students will be playing a recital piece, as well as a Christmas song. We will sing Christmas Carols with the patients, so bring your best singing voices. If any other family members or siblings of my students want to perform something, maybe play an instrument or sing, that would be welcome, as well!

I have added another element to my blog. On the top left-hand side I have put a section called "Tips for Parents." In this section, I will write about what to expect from your child's practice sessions, as well as ideas for getting them to practice consistently.

In the studio, I will have a star dish that I will be filling with crazy marbles each month as they practice. If it gets filled up by the end of the month, they will all get a treat at group lesson. Since consistent and effective practice is essential for the progress of the student, I will be focusing quite a bit on this subject this year.

Be sure to check out the music games in the sidebar, as well.

I look forward to working with your children. They are great kids and really brighten my days. Thank you for letting me work with them.

Fall Schedule

Summer flew by and it is already time to change back to our Fall schedule. We will start lessons the week of the 6th. If you sign up for Monday lessons, we will do the make-up for that first lesson on the fourth Monday, the 27th, since we have Group Lesson that week. So, the first day for Tuesday lessons is Sept 7, Wednesday lessons is Sept 8th, and Monday lessons is Sept 13th. An X by the time indicates that time is taken. You can call me or e-mail me indicating the time you want, or you can leave a comment here.
Monday: 4, 4:30, 5, 5:30
Tuesday: 4X, 4:30X, 5, 5:30
Wednesday: 4 X, 4:30 X, 5, 5:30
Thursday: 4, 4:30, 5, 5:30

P.S. The Incentive for $5 off for each new student you refer is still on! See previous blog entry entitled "Tuition Incentive."

Summer Schedule

I try to make the summer schedule fairly flexible. This year I will have a summer camp July 14 and 15, 90 minutes each day. We will also have regular lessons June, July, and August. This will provide some flexibility. You can opt to just have regular lessons all summer, or combine regular lessons with the summer camp so that if you have to take time off, your child will still receive the alloted hours of lesson time, or you can take one month off of your choice, replacing it with the summer camp. The summer cost is still $50 per month per student. The cost will not be more if your student comes to the summer camp, and continues lessons throughout the summer. Like I mentioned, this will just make it easier for you to take a week off here and there for summer activities. We will not have group lessons during the summer months. Thank you.

Schedule

Starting in June I will be teaching on Mondays and Tuesdays, mornings and afternoons. The following are the times. To sign up, just leave a comment. It will be on a first come, first serve basis. Please include two times, the first being the one you most prefer. Thanks!
Mondays: 9:30(X), 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30, 1(X), 1:30, 2
Tuesdays: 9:30(X), 10:30(X), 11(X), 11:30(X), 1, 1:30, 2