A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
No none wants to spend all of their vacation working on studio projects. But, no one wants to be flooded with work when they get back from vacation. So, what to do?
Author: Rosemarie Penner
Creating Balance … When Your Studio is Extra Busy
There are certain times of the year that keeping a balance between my studio & personal life seems almost impossible. Between registration, recital & end of year projects, creating balance is a challenge. Good thing I like a challenge.
The Recital Is Over … Now What?
Having a studio recital is a lot of work. And, it’s completely worth it. But, you may be thinking, “The recital is over … now what?” Maybe you are feeling burnt out or “burnt out adjacent” (the feeling of don’t-add-anything-more-because-I-am-JUST-barely-able-to-get-everything-done). Having some post-recital ideas to keep lessons engaging is a must.
The Best Type of Recital to Host in Your Studio
What is the best type of recital to host in your studio? You may be tempted to think that this is limited to the venue or whether it’s online or in-person, but a recital is so much more than just a place. It’s also about the intent & the mood of a recital. And, that…
Help! My Student Doesn’t Have Their Recital Song Mastered.
It’s that time of year & many studios are working towards one goal. Making sure students have their recital song mastered. Or, songs depending on the size of the studio. Sometimes I wonder who is more stressed before the recital: the teacher or the student. And, I think that it all depends on how soon…
Making Recital Prep Fun & Quirky For Students
Recital prep can be a stressful time for students & their families. The pressure to play things perfectly can lead to tears & parents wondering if it’s all worth it. NOT what we want on their mind around registration season. Instead, making recital prep fun & quirky for students leads to smiles, lots of practice…
How Music Theory & Improvisation Can Be Taught Together
Music theory & improvising. It’s important to have both in our teaching. But, what is the best way to teach music theory? To avoid the mistakes of the past, music theory should above all be done in a timely, hands-on manner that ensures students see the connection between theory & application. One of the best…
Teaching Sound Before Sight or The Chicken vs. The Egg Dilemma
Whether it’s Pestalozzi, Mason, Suzuki or Gordon the idea of teaching aurally before getting students to read goes back hundreds of years. Yet many teachers tend to teach music from the notation first & aurally second. When it comes to a practical approach of teaching sound before sight it can feel a bit like the…
How 21st Century Female Composers Challenge the Status Quo
Unlike previous generations, the stigma of being a female composer is gone. So it could be easy to assume that contemporary female composers are not challenging the music industry’s status quo. This is far from the case! In fact, women today are challenging not only the music industry but societal expectations of women in general.
How To Use Digital Escape Rooms in Your Music Studio
In the past year, digital escape rooms have become more popular in music studios. Many teachers have looked for online solutions that get students practicing music skills without the stress of trying to do everything live. These have become a student-favourite in my studio & for good reason! But, knowing how can we use digital…