Keys & Strings Music Studio

MY CHILD ISN'T PROGRESSING (POST HOLIDAY SLUMP) Post holidays, I heard from a lot of parents (both of my students and other educators students) that they were thinking of 'taking a break' because the children were not progressing, or fighting them to practice at home. My reply, (questions) were always the same.  Did you maintain your usual routine during the holidays? (No)  Did you stay out late, have house guests, excitement over tree decorating, Nutcracker performances, Church Pageant rehearsals (Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes). Of course they aren't progressing.  Your teacher is hoping to just maintain during changes in home life, whatever the reason.  Please give it the rest of the month and try this routine before you 'take that break' and completely stall your child's (or your own) music progression. For young musicians, go back to playing each assigned (tabbed) piece of music their age each day.  This means if your musician is five they should p

This is Erin, the Office Manager at the studio. Recently we have been asked by some families to reschedule lessons for various reasons i.e. illness, weather, participation in other events. I feel the below article, written by a Suzuki mom who is also a economist, gives a very articulate view on our way of thinking.  The educators at Keys & Strings (especially the head teachers) rarely miss lessons, to make it a point to not inconvenience their students who have chosen a specific lesson time and day weekly on their schedules. We feel the teachers are paid to be available to each family at their designated time with the obligation of being at the studio for their assigned teaching days/times, and prepared for each individual students needs.  We appreciate that our families pay for the month in advance according to their agreement with our studio, and would like to help them understand that they are paying for a time slot with their chosen teacher, during which time they will rece

It's been a busy summer. The new space is now complete (the missing music rug has been returned fresh and clean from Whiteway Cleaners) and the curtains are up, the plants are in the window and the music is ringing! What a pleasant space. So happy and fresh. I just found out that back in the 70's a bar called "Fiddlers Green" was here. I think that's not only appropriate.....but poetic. Though the cushy chair and couch are gone, we have new furniture in the waiting room, and full music lessons in each of the teaching rooms. Well almost full. Ms. Joanna has a few spots left, and TJ is joining us to offer guitar soon! Our birthday party schedule is starting to fill up, and our Kindermusik demos which are being held on Sunday September 11th are also filling up. Kindermusik classes will start on the 19th. Change that is hoped and prayed for is always good. I'll be posting pics this afternoon on https://www.facebook.com/#!/KeysandStringsMusicStudio I hope you will

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Today was an exciting morning! Four of our students entered the music competition at the 49th annual Irish Feis held in North Haven. Competitors came from all over the state of Connecticut and areas of NY State. The music instruments featured were fiddle, tin whistle, flute and accordion as well as voice. David Caldarella, in his first ever music competition took 1st place in his category of studying less than 3 years. What's exciting is he made a last minute change this morning to play a different piece than planned. His enthusiasm paid off! Also in her first competition, Rita Sherban put alot of effort into her Reel. Look at the smile on her face! She placed first in her category of studying over three years. Bridget Ruiz entered the music feis for her second year of competition (she took 1st place in her age category last year) This year she placed 2nd, in a more advanced category, and playing two contrasting dances in the key of D Major. Great job! Here she is, holding her trop

Today's the big day. I never sleep well on 'Recital Eve'. Where'd the stands go, who took the pedal? We forgot to get the programs done? (Promise, they are done, and they are bigger than ever!) Recital to me is so many different things. I always have flashbacks to four years ago when I was so afraid it was my last recital with my 'kids'. Or the triumph of three years ago (I'm still here!). I remember Jay M's first recital, with his crouch like bow and huge smile. Jillian's realization that she did a GREAT job and then how it was even better for me when she invited me to her Christmas Pagent and she played the organ just a few short months later. Or the time Rachel stopped half way through....the entire time I was thinking that has the phrasing but doesn't sound exactly right............and she FLIPPED THE PAPER from top to bottom. Oh how we all laughed on that one. In my mind, there are 130 different stories just like this one. I have been blesse

I'm looking forward to this coming week's Performance Master Classes. I sense that alot of of parents and students alike are curious, a bit nervous even. This I hope will be a fun and educational experience for all involved. Even the most seasoned performers can learn something new. For the newer students, this is a good test run for recital coming up on the 12th. We will observe some educators playing some very...VERY interesting solos. Perhaps their clothing will be....unusual. Perhaps their posture will be way off base. Or maybe they just make a huge mistake. We're are going to have some laughs, and make some observations. And then the same instructor is going to play again. And then let the audience know if he or she made a mistake or not. Perhaps another educator will point it out...............or perhaps that performance will be picture perfect. Then the students will all get a turn to show 'their stuff' too. And we will all learn from each other. In between w