Friday, November 4, 2016

E-FISH-ent Practice Winners


Congratulations to Kenny and Sam. They are the 1st and 2nd prize winners of our E-FISH-ent practice event. Kenny is holding "Half Note", a goldfish, which he assures me he will give me updates on his well being. This week Half Note made it safely to his home and only bumped into the walls a few times before becoming at ease.

Sam is holding a huge bag of Swedish Fish which may not be complete gone as Halloween candy came soon after. He may or may not share some with his sister, Dani.

Musical Flower

This week in Cindy's Piano Studio Bemus Point a musical flower was created.  Kenny was having fun during one of his sister's lesson by creating a flower for me with chalk on the chalkboard table.  I love his creativity and sense of excitement and wonder.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

"Chalknotes"

I love these "chalknotes" from my creative students.  While waiting for their lesson, they draw me notes.

Friday, October 28, 2016

Prize Winners Announced for E-FISH-ent Practice Event

Congratulations to Kenny, Sam, and Jack!

1st Prize  
Kenny was chosen from those having three fish in their ponds.

2nd Prize
Sam was chosen from those having three or two fish in their ponds.

3rd Prize
Jack was chosen from those having three, two, or one fish in their ponds.

Everyone not chosen in the drawing received a small box of Swedish Fish Candy.  This is the first time I've had all boys win the prizes.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Notes to the Teacher


 As part of our E-FISH-ent Practice Event student were to write a note to me on their assignment sheet to prove that they read the assignment.  Most of them wrote their notes on the assignment sheet; however, three of them thought a special note to me was in order!  I love it!

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

E-FISH-ent Practice Event Ponds

I wanted to capture the ponds that each student created for this event.  There were two ponds, one in Lakewood and one in Bemus Point (blue tissue paper over poster board).  These are all the ponds in one place.  

 
Dani, Eliza A, Emma, Gloria, Kenny, Lillian, Sam, and Taj all had three fish in their ponds.  Alex, Eliza D, Jack, and Mallory had one or two fish in their ponds.






How did they get the fish? By accomplishing three practice tasks for three weeks.  Each week if they accomplished the three tasks, they put a fish in their pond.


This week they find out who won the drawings.
Three fish - a live goldfish and tank
Two fish - a large bag of Swedish Fish Candy
One fish - an activity and coloring book of Dori.
Everyone will receive a prize who isn't chosen from the drawings. They will find out what it is at their next lesson. Hint...it's fish related.  hee hee

Monday, October 24, 2016

Kings and Queens



Our E-FISH-ent Practice Event has inspired Kenny to draw some King and Queen Fish pictures for me.  They will go on the wall in the Bemus Point Studio.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

E-FISH-ent Practice Event

We started the piano year with a Practice Event called E-FISH-ent.

 These are the fun decorations that have adorned the Lakewood and Bemus Point Piano studios for the last month.
The blue square is the water waiting for the fish ponds to be added.

  Found these puzzles at the Dollar General.  They were perfect for our event.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

A Painting For You Mrs. Robison!

Dani came to her first lesson this Fall with this painting she made for me.  Dani and her friend spent some time painting at her house and keeping Mom busy with the cleanup afterwards.  But what a great time she had and I get the benefits of their fun.  Pretty awesome, Dani!  By the way, she likes purple.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Cindy's Piano Studio Welcomes New Student

Last week Cindy's Piano Studio Lakewood welcomed Ida to piano lessons.  Ida will soon turn six years old and is very excited about learning to play the piano.  "I like the way the piano sounds." was her comment when I asked why she wanted to learn to play piano. Ida has had her first lesson in which she learned how to sit correctly at the piano.  She is practicing her "great pose" here:
Tweety was never concerned that he would fall off of Ida's head as Ida was awesome at performing her great pose.

Ida's books for learning music are the fun Faber My First Piano Adventures.  

Ida likes to dance, play tennis, soccer, and swim.  We are going to have great fun in piano lessons with Ida!

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Some More End-of-Book Piano Recitals!

Congratulations to Lillian and Eliza on finishing their Alfred Premier 2A piano books.  

Lillian had her end-of-book piano recital on July 23rd and Eliza had her piano recital on July 30th.

They are both promoted to level 2B in the Fall.  Over the summer they will be preparing pieces for fun.

Monday, July 25, 2016

Mr Music at Cindy's Piano Studio

I love how many music symbols Mallory used in this picture.  Can you find them?

Quarter Rest
Bass Clef
Flat
Quarter notes
Staccato
Whole Rest
Half Rest
Treble Clef
Fermata
Dotted Half Notes
Half Note
Sharp
Whole Note

Did I miss any?

Thursday, July 21, 2016

The Skinny Stick Me


Some students are just so creative!  I love how he drew me as a skinny stick figure at the piano.  I hope I can live up to his expectations of me!  He drew this on his own with no coaching from anyone. He just wanted to draw a picture I guess.

Friday, June 17, 2016

Sometimes Students Make Me Laugh

Kenny is one of those students who make me glad I'm a piano teacher.  He makes me laugh and enjoy my time with him.

Kenny said, "I like this song because I like sharps."
Kenny said, "Today's lesson was lovely!"

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Students of the Month for May - Dani and Taj

Congratulations to Dani and Taj for being picked as May's Students of the Month.


This is Dani's first time so here is her interview and tip.

What do you like to do for fun? Go to Midway Park and ride the spinning ride.  It feels like you will bump into the other cars.

What do you hate to do?  Go to school and do reading chapter books and then write about it; especially the writing part.

What’s the best part of piano lessons? Working towards recital.

Whats the worst part of piano lessons? Playing songs I don't like because they are hard, like the Lily Pad.

What music are you listening to (that’s not piano lesson)? The pop song, Give it to me.

What is your tip for beginners? Don't play when the teacher is talking. lol. I love this one!


Taj's second tip for beginners is to always look at the music and not your hands because then you won't make mistakes.  Good tip, Taj!

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Student Brag

I love to brag on my students!


Sydney came to her lesson last week and said, "Oh yeah, I got 100% on my xylophone playing test.  I had to play the Bb, Eb, Ab, F, C, and chromatic scales."!!  100%!  That is awesome!  It's because of piano that she is doing so well and enjoying playing in her school band.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Bryan's End-of-Book Success

Congratulations, Bryan!


Bryan had his first End-of-Book recital on last weekend.  It was in a beautiful location by the lake. Sadie, the dog, loved his last piece and came up to be with him as he played. He had his parents, grandparents, and even some neighbors in the audience.  Bryan played all ten of his pieces from memory.  Good job, Bryan!

Thursday, May 19, 2016

April Students of the Month - Ethan and Gloria


Congratulations Ethan and Gloria! You are April's Student of the Month.



Ethan is a new student in Lakewood at Cindy's Piano Studio.  Here's his interview and tip for beginners.

What do you like to do for fun?  Play outside.
What’s your favorite toy? Baseball and bat.
What do you hate to do? Nothing.
What’s the best part of piano lessons? Playing the keys.
Whats the worst part of piano lessons? Nothing.
What music are you listening to (that’s not piano lesson)? Uptown Funk
What is your tip for beginning pianists?  Have a good attitude at piano lessons, do all your assignments, and look at the assignment sheet so you know what to do.  Awesome tips, Ethan!

Gloria has been taking piano lessons in Bemus Point at Cindy's Piano Studio since September 2014.  She has really grown musically at the piano this year. Gloria's tip for beginners is that it's okay if the piece is not great when you first start because you can work on it hands alone and it will get better. Yes, Gloria, when the music gets more complicated, it's a good idea to make is easier by separating the parts.

Other students who were in the hat were: Kenny, Lillian, Eliza D., Genevieve, JT, Sam, Dani, Mallory, and Jack.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Congratulations to Bryan and Sam! They Finished Their Books!

They did it! They made it through their lesson books and have learned lots!

Congratulations, Bryan. You've finished your next lesson book and are now ready to work on your first End-of-Book Recital at Cindy's Piano Studio Bemus Point.  Bryan is using the Alfred Method lesson books.  

Wahoo, Sam! You've made it through your first book.  I'm excited to see where we go next with you.  Your first End-of-Book Recital at Cindy's Piano Studio Lakewood will be awesome.

Friday, May 6, 2016

First Piano Lesson Book Finished - Dani

Congratulations to Dani! She has finished her first piano lesson book and is now ready for her first End-of-Book Recital.  She has already picked her ten pieces and started memorizing five.

Great job, Dani!

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Santa's Favorite New Carol for 2015

Congratulations to Gloria for having her Santa Carol picked as Santa's favorite for 2015.  You can play her carol and see why it is the favorite.  The theme was "I like milk and cookies."  

There were 15 compositions for students to chose from this year. Other favorites were composed by Alex, Emma, Sophia, and Sydney.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Students of the Month - March - Kenny and Sam

Yea, Kenny! You are Bemus Point's March's Student of the Month again!  Kenny's tip for beginning pianists is to consider it as one of your chores, to practice slowly and practice at a set time.  Kenny is right.  If you will think of piano practice as something you do, like brushing your teeth, making your bed, etc. then you will be successful because it will become part of your daily habits.

Congratulations to Sam for practicing, being prepared, having his written work done, having all his books at his lessons, and having a great attitude during the month of March.  Other students consider for Lakewood were: Brynne, Mallory, and Ethan.

Sam's tip for beginning pianists is Let yourself enjoy playing piano. Instead of having as a chore you do because you have to.

Since this is Sam's first time as Lakewood's Student of the Month, I'm including his interview here so you can get to know him.

What do you like to do for fun?  Look at dog books. Search out dog breeds on-line like the Coton De Tulear. You can see the cuties here.
What’s your favorite thing to do? He like playing piano and violin.
What do you hate to do? Go to bed.
What’s the best part of piano lessons? Playing the piano.
Whats the worst part of piano lessons? Piano Maestro assignments.
What music are you listening to (that’s not piano lesson)? Classical, Schubert or Beethoven piano works and death and the maiden string quartet.  He received a CD for birthday of this music.


Monday, April 25, 2016

Band Concert Pianists

Congratulations to Sydney Segrue and Brynne Conley on their successful and well-done band concerts. I loved seeing and hearing you play piano as well as your other instruments.  Great job!  Piano lessons are helping you to be part of a bigger scene in music!


Sunday, April 17, 2016

Student Accomplishments Week of April 11th

Congratulations to Dani.  She got to the piano everyday this week.  Her piano lesson showed the progress.  Great job, Dani!

Bryan is learning about sharps; so we just had to play a game of tic-tac-toe!  He beat me!

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Piano Enthusiasts

The Piano Enthusiasts Play for Piano Lovers first performance was held on February 28, 2016 at the Heritage Green Nursing Home.
Chris Forbes, Julie Johnston, Jeff Park, and Cindy Robison performed a 40-minute program for the residents on their beautiful Steinway grand.  The pieces performed were:

Mozart's Sonata in C Major, Cindy Robison
Vangellis Hymne, Julie Johnston
Just A Closer Walk With Thee, Chris Forbes
Majesty, I Will Enter His Gates, This is the Day, Rock of Ages, and Angels We Have Heard on High, Jeff Park
Heart and Soul Duet, Julie Johnston and Cindy Robison
My Chains Are Gone, Amazing Grace, Blue Danube, and Bach's Minuet, Jeff Park
Shall We Gather at the River, Chris Forbes
Key of Sea, Julie Johnston
Peterson's Jazz Exercise #2 and Disco-Visit, Cindy Robison

The residents had a good time and the performers had another opportunity to practice performing, some for the first time and some for the first time in a long while.


Sunday, March 20, 2016

APT Duet Recital - My Duet With Kerry

March 5, 2016 was the first APT (Association of Piano Teachers) duet recital.  Kerry and I started the program with Clementi's Sonata IV allegro.  It was fast and fun.  Of course, someone got too close to the outside door which made the alarm go off just as we started playing.  It eventually stopped so we could hear an elderly woman tapping her finger nails on her tray top.  It would have been alright if she was in the same tempo as we were!  They eventually found a towel for her to tap on so it wasn't so loud.  Even with all the distractions, we played well for our first time together.

I'm so thankful for a great teacher who encourages me to keep learning more about making music at the piano so I can pass it on to my students.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

February Students of the Month

Congratulations, Bryan and Mallory, you are February's Students of the Month at Cindy's Piano Studio!


Mallory is a student of the Lakewood piano studio.  She has just recently re-started piano after a break to pursue her dancing dreams.  Her piano learning tip is to play one line at a time after playing song through once.  That's great practice directions, Mallory.  Learning to practice in small chunks makes learning a piece easy and more fun to play.  Other students who were in the Lakewood hat are Dani and Sam.

Bryan was Student of the Month in October of last year.  He had just recently started with Cindy's Piano Studio in Bemus Point after moving here from Ohio.  His piano learning tip is think of the beat in your head and play the notes with your hands and look at notes while doing that.  In other words, to keep your eyes on the music while you are counting the rhythm.  Good tip, Bryan.  Keeping a steady beat is always important as are knowing how to move your fingers without looking at them.  Other students in the Bemus Point hat were:  Eliza A and Eliza D, Harper, Kenny, Lillian, and Taj, 

Both Bryan and Mallory received a gift certificate for ice cream at Tim Horton's this month.  Yea!