Tuition Incentive

Introducing an incentive to go from now, July through September. For each family that you refer who signs up for piano lessons, you can get a $5 discount for one month of lessons. So, if you were to refer three families who all signed up for piano lessons, the following month lessons for one student would cost you only $35. Feel free to show them the Blue Skies blog and let them know that they can come and visit with me and get a feel for my program and how it fits with their student/s. Remind them to be sure and tell me who referred them. I will record it when they pay for their first month of lessons. Thanks!

July's Activities

July came in with a bang, with fireworks and fun! In keeping with the mood, I am having our Piano Camp on July 14th and 15th, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 11-ish a.m. for students 6 to 10. For students 11 and up we will have camp the same days from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
You have several options. 1) Regular lessons and camp at no extra cost. It will still be $50 per student for the month. 2) Regular lessons with no camp. 3) Just camp with no regular lessons, at $50 per student. 4) Regular lessons with just one day of camp, no extra cost. If you choose this option, please let me know which day your student will attend.
I look forward to seeing your children there!

New Links

Summer is well under way for most of you, although the weather seems to be running a little behind. I have posted some links on the left side of my blog that will take your students to online music game sites. The first one posted is my favorite, Music Tech Teacher. It has tons of quick quizzes and worksheets and games that don't take long to finish but will help the student review theory, rhythm, and history.
The rest are an assortment. GamesGames and ababasoft.com you might want to look at more closely yourselves, Mom and Dad, to make sure they are okay for your child. Some of the games look pretty fun--I liked Jungle Jiggy. It's silly and pointless, but fun--but some of the games may be a little sketchy for your family. I tried to go through all the game sites and pick only the best ones. There were a few that I definitely wouldn't recommend! These all seemed fairly safe.
I do apologize for the ads, though. I couldn't seem to avoid those. They aren't inappropriate ads, as far as I could tell, just annoying.
Feel free to leave me a comment on which sites you like best. And if you know of any other good music game sites, let me know. I would be happy to add a link.

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

Announcements

Announcing our new Communications Center, blueskiesmusicstudio.blogspot.com. In this technology age, I think this will be a more efficient way to pass on general information. I would like to include achievements, also, and tips for helping your children practice. I will include my e-mail address on the site so you can contact me directly, as well. It would be helpful to me if you parents would also provide me with your e-mail addresses so that I can contact you privately, as well. I am looking forward to developing this fun way to pass on information and highlight the hard work your children are doing. I truly enjoy working with your children. They are great kids. Thank you for allowing me that privilege.

Welcome

Welcome to a new year of Learning! School is starting, and so is Piano class. I am looking forward to working with my students and growing together.
One of the programs I offer is AIM, sponsored by the Music Teacher's Association, which I affiliate with. AIM stands for Achievement In Music. Much of my curriculum is based on what the students are required to know at each level. This program is NOT a competition. It is, however, a way to challenge, direct, motivate, and evaluate both the student and their teacher.
First year students will be taught the material, but will not participate in the Evaluations throughout the year. Second-year-and-beyond students can opt to participate, as well as transfer students, depending on how advanced they are.
The students are tested in their knowledge and skill in the areas of music history, theory, technique, and piano performance. They also present a report on anything in music they are interested in. Most of the testing is done by myself and/or other local chapter UMTA music teachers involved in the program. The piano performance is judged by a guest judge sent by the
State level Music Teachers Association.
There is an extra fee for participating in AIM, however, it is quite minimal and well worth the cost.
Some of the advantages of the AIM program are: the students are only competing with themselves to achieve their highest potential and not competing with the other students; it is a well-rounded program that tests all the student's skills and therefore allows the student to show off their strengths; it allows the teacher and parents to see where the child needs extra help.
I hope all my students will choose to participate in this very valuable opportunity. If you would like more information on this please e-mail me at: ksam855@yahoo.com