KIDS THAT LOVE PIANO LESSONS!

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 by Catherine Williams | Uncategorized

It’s hard to believe all that we have done in the past year as part of my piano studio. It’s been one year since I put out my last official newsletter, but we’ve been so busy in the last year that I wanted to make sure you knew about all the things the students and I were doing behind the scenes to make this the best year in piano yet!

It's been an amazing year! Here is a summary of what we did:

• Achievement Day - Super Achievers earned a medal at the end of all their accomplishments.
• Ana Oldham had the opportunity to perform The Banshee in the Master Class at AMTA's Achievement Day with Dr. Jooen Pak. (Fall, 2017)
• Halloween Recital - everyone dressed up in their costume!
• Holiday Recital at Tagawa Gardens.
• Movie-themed Recital - Music from Star Wars, Frozen,The Wizard of Oz, and much more. 
• Four Forms Festival - students learn and perform an entire Sonatina. Eliza Monson was a winner, and Elaine Sudibyo was an Honorable Mention.
• Ammon Russell and Mindy Yang performed in the Achievement Day master class held at Metropolitan State University. (February 2018)
• Performance at Morning Star Senior Living Center
• Performance at Chick fil-A
• Performance Awards were given to students who performed a substantial amount.
• National Guild Auditions - 7 winners.
• Kits testing - High scores made the National Theory Honor Roll.
• Demta Festival - with 2 winners, and 5 Honorable Mentions
• Potluck recitals - for adult students.
• Students received the CLEF award - for participating in the DEMTA Festival for 3 years and 5 years.

Mindy Yang- Master Class at Metropolitan State University 2018

I think it's helpful for you to know what I've been doing as a teacher to continue increase my own knowledge, enhance the teaching of your children, contribute to the community, and add more value to your investment, so I wanted to list what new activities have been going on in the last year that have directly contributed to your child’s musical education:

• I am a member of 4 Music Teacher Associations locally, and Nationally. Monthly meetings include enrichment programs for the teachers.
• I attended multiple seminars that taught me how to make lessons more exciting and enjoyable for students.
• Attained my Collegiate Certificate from The American Guild of Organists. (The equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in organ performance.)
• I participate actively in online teaching support groups and get ideas from these generous and creative teachers every day.
• Served as the Recital coordinator for DEMTA concerts.

Evan Costinas with his Guild award, 2019.

Friday, June 2, 2017 by Catherine Williams | Uncategorized

It’s hard to believe all that we have done in the past year as part of my piano studio. It’s been one year since I put out my last official newsletter, but we’ve been so busy in the last year that I wanted to make sure you knew about all the things the students and I were doing behind the scenes to make this the best year in piano yet!

Photo: Kiandra Phelps and Peter Friesen- Achievement Day Master Class 2017

So, I hope you’ll take a minute and read about all that we’ve accomplished in the last year and even a few things that you might see in the year ahead.

I look forward to another great year of music learning and music making!

It's been an amazing year! Here is a summary of what we did:

• Achievement Day
• Kiandra Phelps was selected to participate in the Achievement Day Master Class conducted by Peter Friesen MM.
• Halloween Recital, where everyone dressed up in their costume!
• Holiday Recital at Tagawa Gardens.
• Composition Festival, where students performed their own compositions in a Senior home.
• Movie-themed Recital. Music from Star Wars, Frozen,The Wizard of Oz, and much more. 
• Performance at Parker Adventist Hospital
• Four Forms Festival, where students learn and perform an entire Sonatina.
• Performance at Morning Star Senior Living Center
• Performance at Chick fil-A
• Performance Awards were given to students who performed a substantial amount.
• National Guild Auditions.19 winners!
• Kits testing, High scores made the National Theory Honor Roll.
• Demta Festival, with 7 winners, and 7 Honorable Mentions
• Addition of lessons via Skype to keep missed lessons to a minimum
• Pot lucks, for adult students.
• Students received the CLEF award, for participating in the DEMTA Festival for 3 years and maintaining a Superior rating.
• Addition of new, fun apps to help with scales, ear training, sight reading, and theory.

Photo: Zander Loves learning theory!

I know that it's helpful for you to know what I've been doing as a teacher that is continuing my own learning, enhancing the teaching of your children, contributing to the community, and adding more value to your investment. So, I wanted to list what new activities have been going on in the last year that have directly contributed to your child’s musical education:

• I am a member of 5+ Music Teacher Associations locally, and Nationally. Monthly meetings include enrichment programs for the teachers.
• I attended multiple seminars that taught me how to make lessons more exciting and enjoyable for students.
• Attended consultations about incorporating new learning techniques that students will thrive on.
• Attained my Service Playing Certificate from The American Guild of Organists.
• I participate actively in online teaching support groups and get ideas from these generous and creative teachers every day.
• Listened to podcasts from piano teachers all over the world.

Thursday, May 5, 2016 by Catherine Williams | Uncategorized

It’s hard to believe all that we have done in the past year as part of my piano studio. It’s been years since I put out an official newsletter instead of an email, but we’ve been so busy in the last year that I wanted to make sure you knew about all the things the students and I were doing behind the scenes to make this the best year in piano yet!

So, I hope you’ll take a minute and read about all that we’ve accomplished in the last year and even a few things that you might see in the year ahead.

I look forward to another great year of music learning and music making!

It's been an amazing year! Here is a summary of what we did:

• Achievement Day
• Halloween Recital, where everyone dressed up in their costume!
• Holiday Recital, which included an arrangement of Carol of the Bells, for THREE people.
• Composition Festival
• Disney Recital
• Performance at Parker Adventist Hospital
• Four Forms Festival, where students learn and perform an entire Sonatina
• Premier Performances
• Performance at Lincoln Meadows Senior Living Center
• Federation-local level 
• Federation-State level, with one top performer and one honorable mention!
• Performance at Chick fil-A
• 4 students were awarded Gold Cups from Federation.
• Performance Awards
• National Guild Auditions
• Kits testing, High scores made the National Theory Honor Roll
• Demta Festival, with 10 winners, and 5 Honorable Mentions
• Addition of lessons via Facetime to keep missed lessons to a minimum
• Pot lucks, for adult students.
• Students received the CLEF award, for participating in the DEMTA Festival for 3 years and maintaining a Superior rating.
• Addition of new, FUN technology such as Piano Maestro to help with sight reading

I know that it's helpful for you to know what I've been doing as a teacher that is continuing my own learning, enhancing the teaching of your children, contributing to the community, and adding more value to your investment. So, I wanted to list what new activities have been going on in the last year that have directly contributed to your child’s musical education:

• I am a member of 5+ Music Teacher Associations locally, and Nationally. Monthly meetings include enrichment programs for the teachers.
• I attended multiple seminars that taught me how to make lessons more exciting and enjoyable for students.
• Attended consultations about incorporating new learning techniques that students will thrive on.
• Completed my second Piano Performance Degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver
• I participate actively in online teaching support groups and get ideas from these generous and creative teachers every day.
• Listened to podcasts from piano teachers all over the world.
• I continue to accompany many musical groups, from choirs, to church congregations, to solo singers, and much more.