How Playing an instrument benefits your brain.

How playing an instrument benefits your brain...  this link will take you to a video that explains how important learning an instrument is to our brain function.  Take a moment and watch it!  It is quite amazing!

Piano Lessons are Good for You!

Sometimes, I think parents avoid having their child take part in piano lessons... perhaps for many different reasons - a bad personal experience, the cost, or the effort involved.  Perhaps they just see it as wasted time and that sports are a more productive way to spend their time.  Sports are great - I have my child in swimming lessons, and my children have participated in soccer, basketball, skating - all in a recreational way.  But sports cannot compare to learning an instrument in its effect on brain development.  If you are considering lessons, perhaps the following poster (I hope you can read it!) will be helpful to you in making your decision.  All children benefit - from those will little focus (they learn to develop it) to those that are extremely bright (they benefit from the challenge) and those that struggle in school (the benefits of music help with schoolwork!)  Piano levels the field and gives so much back to the student.  When you get old, perhaps you won't be able to play soccer - but likely, you will still be able to enjoy playing the piano!

Openings

I do have some openings for new students if you know anyone who might be interested.  You can call me at 613-347-3428 for more information or email me at mary.cumming@hotmail.com.

A Post of "Thanksgiving"

Today I am thankful for my student's parents.... many times people congratulate me on being a wonderful teacher when one of my students succeeds in a performance.  I think behind each successful student is a parent - a parent who encourages, disciplines, and teaches their child - to listen, to be respectful, to do their best, and to be gracious whether they win or lose.  Parents make the difference. 

A special thank you to all my parents 

for all YOUR hard work

in raising great children!

Some fun You Tube videos for you today!

Yep - I'm all about that Bass!  check out this video!

All about that Bass   a hilarious way to learn your notes!

I Knew You were Treble  -  and one for the Treble!

Lessons

I have not posted much lately as I've been busy with getting lessons set up for students and also composing music for my Piano Noodles blog.  However, I just wanted to take a moment to mention that I still have a few openings for students this year.  If you have friends that would be interested, now is a good time to get going on lessons!  Thank you for referring me!

15 Things you Need to Know about Supporting Your child Learning to Play the Piano

This is such an important article for parents to read..... please - if you have a child in piano lessons - or any kind of music lessons - whether it is with me or another teacher... take the time to read this article.

15 Things You Need to Know as a Piano Parent

Welcome Back!

It is always exciting to start a new season of lessons!  As promised, here is a link to the schedule.... I have one more hour of lessons for someone to fit in yet, but as you can see, it is, at the moment, just slightly more flexible than last year.  So this is the schedule we will be starting with and I will post changes as they happen.

Updated Fall Schedule

In other news:

My daughter Pamela is now home and teaching violin, piano and stepdance.  She holds a degree in violin performance from Berklee College of Music in Boston as well as her ARCT in piano. She hopes to have her schedule up and going soon.  If you know of anyone interested in violin, fiddle, piano or stepdance lessons - it appears she will be teaching in Williamstown  and Cornwall. Please contact her directly at pamela.c.violin@gmail.com for more information.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!  Lessons start September 8th!  :)

Excited for September!

Lessons will be starting soon!  September 8th to be exact...  the schedule is filling up, books are coming in and plans are being made for the Fall Challenge.  This year's theme is "Shoot for the Stars!"  Now THAT sounds like fun to me!

This year we will also be doing a 40 Piece Challenge.  Each student will have their own special page in their notebook to record the names of all the pieces they learn. As well, we will have a wall chart to keep track of how many pieces have been learned.  With close to 30 students already signed up so far this year, that is 1200 pieces of music!  I wonder who is up to learning a total of 40 pieces in one year?  I'm sure many of my students will succeed in meeting this challenge as well!

If you are thinking of lessons, take a peek at the "Information on lessons" page located on the sidebar.  Many of your questions will be answered just by looking at that.  However, the best way to find out about lessons or if I might be a good fit with your child, is to just give me a call.  I can fill you in on all the details and answer any questions you might have.

Mary Cumming  613-347-3428

I'm excited!  Hope you are too!

An Excellent Reason

... to sign up for piano lessons!  (or violin lessons as my daughter is now teaching here)

Take a moment to watch this video and you will understand more the important role that music plays in our children's education... probably "the" most important role ever!   Then run, don't walk, to your nearest teacher for lessons... it will be the best decision you have ever made in your life!

How playing an instrument affects your brain.

Just a little something to inspire....

Saw this on pinterest.... and was thinking that so often we use excuse upon excuse to say we can't do something... so no excuses here.

This young lady is playing without any fingers on one hand.

 Click here to view the video.

Something to think about...

Taking a Break

Taking a break, enjoying my summer.... hope you are too..

Back in late August to prepare for September lessons!

Shoot me an email if you are interested in lessons for the fall and wish information - or just give me a phone call.  I'm taking names on a waiting list right now.

Phone: 613-347-3428

A little something for my music camp kids:

A cup challenge

Fortissimo Camp 2014

Hope you enjoy all these photos!  We had a great time this week!

Making their way across a lava field... make sure you stay on the plates!

Cheering on their teams!

Lunch time fun..... snake bubbles.....

Music bracelets.... great indoor activity for a rainy Tuesday!

Always a favourite!  Notable Twister...

 

Musical Spot It!

 Yes, I tied up your children... for the Amoeba Race...

Concert

Time! 

 


Our music storage boxes made from old cereal boxes....

More noon hour fun decorating the rock

 Egg Hunt 

 

 



Painting our clay pots....

Ready to take off on the Trolleys.... working hard to keep together...

 Learning through games... this one is called Keyboard Antics...

and Snakes and Ladders... with a musical twist!

Some performances on "found" objects...

and then we all played together for a "junkyard" type band....

 Our wonky keyboard art...  :)

Touch my Can .... another co-operative game...

Lots of new songs being learned this week....

Shut the box... more musical games!

Noon hour fun....

The Amazing Musical Race.... some hidden clues.....

 Ah... relaxing and enjoying some down time after the big race..... campfire and s'mores..... 

Enjoy the rest of your summer!  See you in September!