Practice Tip

Set a regular time

each day to work

through your assignments.

Lessons for Fall 2019

Fall 2019 Lessons

If you are interested in becoming a part of the studio, you can call me at

613 - 347-3428

or email

mary.cumming@hotmail.com

Some fun things you will experience as part of our studio:

Piano Ready! Set! Go!

A series of  three semester group classes designed for 4 and 5 year olds
where they experiment with rhythm and music, do crafts and build
knowledge that prepares them for regular private lessons.
Only 4  places in this dynamic group are available and
3 are already filled!  One opening left on Fridays at 3:45 pm!

More Group Lessons!

Do you have a family that would like to take lessons, but you find it rather expensive?  

Ask me about group lessons.  A family of 3 or 4 can sign up and take a group lesson.

There are many benefits to this approach - ensemble playing and games

being one advantage, as well as the fact that the group meets for a full hour each week.

Less expensive per student than private lessons, this could be the answer to 

your search for inexpensive yet good solid lessons for your children.

Groups of three or four students.

Tree of Success 2019!

This exciting new activity will engage all students in
a Studio Challenge for the entire year!
I want to keep this one a surprise - so I'm not going to
share too much here.... 

40 Piece Challenge!

This started a number of years ago and has grown bigger each year!

Beginners start with a challenge of learning 40 pieces in a year. The first year, a few did not

complete the challenge, so I said - let's just keep going and when you earn it, then you

will get your reward at the next recital.  As soon as you finish, you can start the 80 piece 

challenge. Soon, it became 120 piece challenge, then 160 piece challenge.

This year, some students will be starting their 200 piece challenge!

So much fun and each level is rewarded with a medal at the recital!


Mad Minute Challenge

This started as a challenge to name all 22 notes of the staff within one minute and
has morphed into a leveled game where many theory concepts are reviewed
and honed - all within the space of one minute!  Rewarded of course with - what else?
 - a few sweet treats in the number of cards you have successfully named!
Yup - the candy incentive is real folks!

Festival Opportunities

There are a number of opportunities to participate in local festivals each year if 

one wishes to do so.  Kinsmen Festival in Cornwall is a non-competitive

festival in a workshop format.  Great for kids that thrive in that environment.

MCM Festival in Alexandria is a more competitive environment and also available to 

those wishing that format.  Further afield, one can participate in the Kiwanis Festival

in Ottawa as well.

Exam Opportunities

For those wishing to pursue exams, preparation for exams are available up to and including

Royal Conservatory of Toronto Level 8. Those who are dedicated to honing their 

skills to this level of performance will find a teacher that will support them

in all areas of their endeavour

End of Year Recital

By far the most exciting time of year is our end of year Recital.  We do the celebrating right by

having each student perform 2 pieces.  Often there are duets!

We end the night with awards and goodies!

Variety of Styles

Nothing is out of the question to try at the studio.  From jazzy music to classical, 

video game music, chording and  popular music.  Even composing your own music - 

all this is available if you wish to put in the work.  
All you need to do is make your desire known and I will do my best to make it happen.

Cedar Grove Piano Studio is moving!

As of September 2017, the studio will be in a new location!

19793 Kenyon Concession 1

Alexandria

Ontario

only 10 mins north of Williamstown

only 10 from Alexandria

a great location

I'm taking names now for September lessons

you can email me at

mary.cumming@hotmail.com

for more information or to book your lesson time

Music Camp 2017

to register for this camp, please go to the link below

Music Camp 2017

More pictures from past Music Camps!  Come and enjoy games, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, trying out various instruments, singing, and many many other fun events.

All located at the studio on Cedar Grove Road, Williamstown!

Another great link

another link to a great article if you have some time to read it.  It is very well written...

10 Things you might not realize makes your piano teacher happy...

Sitting at the piano

This is a great link for developing great posture at the piano:

Posture at the Piano

Let's Talk about Being Interested

Be interested.  If you, as a parent, are interested in what your child is learning, then your child will also be interested.  Your enthusiasm is crucial to their success. Why is this so very important?
It's important because, no matter what we might think, we have much greater influence over our child and their likes and dislikes than we realize.  If we display our dislike for brussel sprouts - we can be assured our child will as well.   They pick up our lack of enthusiasm over something much easier than our enthusiasm... so if you are not enthusiastic about piano lessons and listening to them practice - they are going to pick up on that right away.

I often get parents who expect that all the initiative for learning piano or any instrument should come solely from the child with no input from the parent.  It is entirely the teacher's responsibility to "inspire" - and a child who is inspired, they think,  will be interested in practicing - no matter their age. This is only partly true - parents can inspire too.  Learning an instrument is hard work, so  your inspiration is crucial

So - what to do.

Be Interested.  How?  If you know nothing about music, how do you do that?

Besides providing a good instrument and getting them to lessons every week, there are lots of ways to encourage your child in the learning process.

  Here is a list of practical things you can do - and you don't have to know a thing about music.

1. Read their assignment book and know what has been assigned.
2. Ask how the lesson went.
3. Ask to hear each of the pieces assigned.
4. Be nearby when practice is happening.
5. Make positive comments such as:

• Hmmm... I like that piece - can you play it again?
• What is that one called?
• That sounded good!  I think I recognize that one!
• Oh! that is going to be a favourite of mine!
• Can you play that again?  I love hearing you play!
• You know I am so proud of how hard you are working - I know it's not always easy
• I'm always listening you know....  :)
• Wow - that is sounding better and better!
• you play that really fast!  I wonder what it sounds like if you slow down a bit?
• I'm sorry you feel discouraged... would it help if I just sat with you? 
• Here, we can use these (raisins, chocolate chips, m&m's etc) to help you keep track of the repetitions..... 
• You are doing so well!
• I'm proud that you remembered to practice all on your own!

I'm sure if you involve yourself in a positive way in the practice time, your child will be much more willing to go practice.  Often kids are keen to please you - and if they see practicing is pleasing to you, you have just won most of the battle!