Keys & Strings Music Studio

 Recent North Haven Elementary and High School Chorus Performance It's almost here!  Summer time!  No School Work, No Home Work, No Activities............But wait....... Is that what you REALLY want for your child? Studies show that there is a 9% average of lost studies retention and even higher with students who have a learning disability such as Dyslexia , ADHD or being on the Autistic Spectrum.   Avoiding all educational ideas in the summer quarter sets up a vicious cycle.  Parents have to reinstitute learning practices and routines.  Students have to relearn what they already had done in preparation for what is to come.  This set back is not good for their self esteem, sense of worth, however your household might describe it.  Why not come up with a plan NOW to implant learning practices that will WORK for your summer plans.  Not only will this work with academics, but music lessons too.   Going away for several weeks?  Most music programs (Suzuki, Piano Adventures, Alfred Pian

 Just as your child starts to demonstrate likes and dislikes at a young age (no more peas but bring on those sweet potatoes please!) Gradually he or she will start to also show you his musical taste in response to music.  Heavy operatic numbers and subtle symphonies might be a bit deep.  It doesn't mean that lovely orchestral lullabies or minstrel singing won't put him to sleep.  Minor keys may cause your child to cry.  My own child loved minor key, and I taught her needed life skills (phone number, address, how to make cookies) all with singing in a minor key.  Even her lullaby was minor.   We all have different tastes in music.  Why not start exposing your child today to the many choices of listening material. I am suggesting some music choices below.   Some of these links are affiliate links.  If you make a qualifying purchase from Amazon we will earn a small percentage.   The Hu Mongolian Rock  Miles Davis Jazz Vivaldi Baroque Era 80's Pop

In these post pandemic days, it is becoming common practice again for people to ask us to reschedule lessons because something else 'came up'.      A birthday party, going to a movie, play date, baseball game, etc.  We will reschedule for illness.  If it is another school or music related absence we will work with you. A Death in the Family.   It may take a while to have an opening to offer you in these instances, however we will honor the situation.  We can also offer you a virtual lesson.  In the summer quarter, when schools are on break we can accommodate to reschedule up to "2" lessons missed in this quarter as long as they do not coincide with our own closures.  There are only so many hours we can teach.  We have families, other work obligations.  We have set work hours and days.   Our students are taking a block on our schedule.  We don't have floating schedules, we see the same students, the same day and time 47 weeks out of the year.    If WE (your educato

 Audrey shares during her Skype Lesson her coloring contest entry.  I especially love the Unicorn Hair Band.  I hope everyone is doing well, and not recreating "Lord of the Flies" in your homeschooling routines.  (Little educator humor) Things are falling into place (sort of)  here at the Virtual Keys & Strings Music Studio.   We have made several adjustments to our schedules, and I now offer some new suggestions to make things easier for you and your educators.  As a parent also, my first suggestion is to treat each day as you did prior to our new work/school arrangements.  Pick an outfit for the day.  Have meals and snacks set as they would be planned on a weekday.    Have pencils and books ready.  Don't forget recess! Set a timer or reminder with your phone, Alexa, Google, Siri, etc to go off 10 minutes before your music lesson.    Just as you would drive to your lesson to arrive promptly, do your best to knock virtually at your educators music

Well, I think we have all gotten through week 1 of our quarantine for the most part unscathed.    Overall, myself and my co-educators feel things went well.    For our youngest musicians, we are planning on going to smaller multiple lessons throughout the week.  Contact your educator directly for more information on this idea.  I.E., I am meeting with a young violin student 10 minutes early morning on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.     Since the younger generations are so comfortable with a screen in front of them, I feel they have made the adjustment much easier than their elders.   Suggestions:   Find a way to prop the phone/ipad/tablet to the side of your keyboard or above your student as if the teacher were standing behind them.   String and Woodwind/Brass players, place the phone/pad/tablet ON your stand with your music.  Have a pencil nearby. Parents, try to leave the area if at all possible.  Just as they have time with us in their real time les

We are in our 5th day of offering online lessons.  So far so good, with the main issue being connectivity.  Even the youngest students have been doing well.  As one high school student put it, it's just like a normal lesson, just not in the same room.   I’m sure you’re  all feeling overwhelmed with everything that’s currently going on around us. With kids now home from school I know that your life has drastically changed. As someone who has been a part of your family's life each week, I wanted to reach out. In a time when your children’s schedules and routines have been turned upside down, there is one thing that can remain: music! Music has always given people hope, and people have always turned to music in difficult times. With all of the changes that have happened so rapidly in our lives, the piano/violin/guitar/woodwind/ brass instrument can be very helpful in maintaining a sense of normalcy in the weeks and months ahead. During these times of social distancin

Keys and Strings Music studio Give Piano the One Two Punch Summer Intensive Great way to jump start your child's Piano Adventure.  Using Faber Piano Adventures Primer, we will get through the ENTIRE level in 3 weeks.  Fun, interactive piano study.  Your musician will comprehend note values, dynamics and note reading, musicianship and ensemble work.  Limited to 10 musicians per week.  Minimum age is starting Kindergarten in September.  Program is $150 a single week, $250 for two weeks or $385 for three weeks. Includes music (3 book set)  and snack. Musicians should bring their lunch each day.  Music Share Event the last hour on Friday each week.  Registration and Deposit of $75 per week chosen required by March First.  Balance due the first day of intensive.  Aftercare available with a certified daycare provider past intensive time with games and crafts for an additional fee. Inquire with Director if this is something you are interested in via email   keysandstringsmusics