HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Friday, January 4, 2019 by Caitlin Peach | Uncategorized
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!
I hope that everyone enjoyed their holidays and New Year celebrations! I'm certainly looking forward to what 2019 has in store for me!
As schools are starting back up from Winter Break, we will be moving on from the Holiday music in lessons and focusing again on our other pieces, scales, technique builders, etc. So, with this, students should start to get back into the swing of their old practice routines OR start to build up a practice routine. My general rule is for those at the elementary age, at least practicing 15-20 minutes 5 days out of the week. For middle school age, you should be shooting for at least 30-40 minutes 5 days out of the week. For high school and above, try for 45 to 60 (1 hour) minutes 5 days out of the week. With that being said, 5-10 minutes of focused practicing (that means practicing with a specific goal in mind) is better than 30 minutes of unfocused practicing (which is just going through the motions but not engaging your mind in what you are doing).
This is one of my favorite articles about how to work through/set up a practice session, I recommend everyone to check it out:
10 Easy Ways To Optimize Your Music Practice
Those students who participate in Solo and Ensemble Contests, start to think about whether or not you are participating this year and let me know! For many students, we have already been working on pieces of music for the last month, so you should already have something that's either ready to go now or really close to being ready to perform. Sign ups happen sooner rather than later and the date of the event will be here before you know it!
I am hoping to organize a recital this year. It's been a couple of years since we have had one, and I'd love to get back to it being a yearly thing that we do! It's always a great opportunity for students to "show off" all of their hard work and get them used to playing in front of other people. I will start to look for venues soon and get an idea from you all on when a good time would be for this to happen with the most students involved. So, feel free to shoot me a message and let me know if you: 1. Have a venue idea, and 2. Have certain months/times you'd like for me to try to avoid so that your child(ren) can for sure participate.
I do have some open lesson slots that I'd love to get filled - so please feel free to share my contact information with anyone who may be interested in setting up lessons. They can visit my website and sign up for me to contact them, too. The website is here:
Thanks for your support and I'm looking forward to seeing the growth everyone makes in lessons in 2019! Keep up the GREAT work!!
-Miss Peach-
Winter Updates!
Tuesday, December 4, 2018 by Caitlin Peach | Uncategorized
As we are entering into December which brings the holidays and the winter months, I always like to check in with everyone.
I realize this is the time of year for lots of school concerts. If your child has an upcoming school concert that will have an impact on them attending their lesson, please let me know now so I can plan a reschedule or cancellation (whichever you prefer). Also, let me know of any performances your child has - I always try to attend concerts when I can to support my students!
When it comes to winter weather, I will always communicate with you at least 2 hours before your child's lesson if we need to cancel. I do ask that if bad weather hits, and you wish to cancel, that you also give me the same 2 hour window before you cancel your lesson. This will allow me to offer you an earlier time to those students who have lessons after you. With that being said, if I do end up with any cancellations, I always try to offer those earlier times to the students who have later in the evening lessons. I do not follow school closings - so even if your child's school is closed that day, lessons are still on until you hear from me (or unless you cancel yourself).
When it comes to the holidays, I will not be teaching on the following dates:
Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Tuesday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
Monday, December 31st (New Years Eve)
Tuesday, January 1st (New Years Day)
I WILL be open to day time lessons the week of December 24th through January 4th, if you're wanting to reschedule a cancelled lesson during that time (especially if you are a Monday or Tuesday lesson that week, so you do not have to go 2 weeks without a lesson). Please try to schedule that with me sooner rather than later.
Lesson Payments: If you are paying monthly at the end of each month, I do ask that you either pay at your child's last lesson that month or the first lesson of the next month. This allows me to close out my book for one month before beginning the next. I will be sure to do my part and make sure that all invoices go out at least the day before your child's last lesson of the month. If you are not receiving my e-mails, please make sure at your child's next lesson I have all of your information correct and updated.
Keep up the practicing! I've been seeing HUGE improvements in lessons these last couple of weeks!
-Ms. Peach-
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Thursday, November 22, 2018 by Caitlin Peach | Uncategorized
I hope that you all have/are having a GREAT Thanksgiving with your family and loved ones!
I look forward to hearing about all of the great memories you've made today (and all of the good food you ate) at your next lesson!
- Miss Peach -
