New Piano Student, Jax

Cindy's Piano Studio welcomes Jax to the Bemus Point studio

Cindy's Piano Studio welcomed Jax to piano lessons on January 4, 2017.  Jax just turned five years old.  Jax will be using the Faber's My First Piano Adventures to begin with.  During his first lesson he learned about the "great pose" which just means he learned how to sit at the piano.  In the picture he is balancing Tweety on his head for 10 seconds.  He did a great job and Tweety didn't have to fly off because he never dropped him even when I asked him to turn his head towards the camera!

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.

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.

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!

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!

Happy Valentine's Day from Cindy's Piano Studio

December's Students of the Month

Congratulations to Emma (Lakewood) and Harper (Bemus Point) December's Students of the Month!

How fun that Emma is December and November's Student of the Month for Lakewood.  So Emma has another tip for piano students: Check your assignment for special things you may have forgotten. Oh, I really like this one, Emma.  I spend time preparing these assignments for students and it really is frustrating to me when they aren't followed.  If students would check their assignment as Emma says, they would be able to practice better and wouldn't forget to do what has been taught or reviewed.  Wonderful suggestion, Emma!

Congratulations, Harper, on being prepared, having practiced, having all your books at the lessons, having your theory done, and having a great attitude at lessons!  You are a piano star!

Harper's tip for piano students is that learning music is like learning any other school work.  Treat practicing piano as if it is homework but on the piano.  Great tip, Harper!  

November Students of the Month - Emma and Gloria

November Students of the Month - Emma and Gloria

Did you notice in the title that we have two Students of the Month for November?  That's because I've separated the Lakewood and Bemus Point piano studios.  Congratulations, Emma M. of Lakewood and Gloria M. of Bemus Point.  You were each chosen from the hat.  Your name got in the hat because you practiced all month, were prepared at your lessons (could play your pieces), did your theory/games, and had a great attitude at the lessons.

Last year I interviewed each student about their likes and dislikes.  You can view Emma's interview here and Gloria's here.  If a student was not Student of the Month last year, I'll interview them about their likes and dislikes.  However, both Emma and Gloria were Student of the Month last year and so I'm asking them one question:  What advice would you give to a beginning piano student on how to be successful at learning piano?  Here are their answers:

Emma said to look at assignment to know what you are to practice.  Good advice, Emma.  Checking your assignment sheet every time you practice will help you stay on track for the week. 

Gloria said to start playing hands alone, slowly, and don't rush, Play your pieces a couple times a day. More great advice, Gloria.  Playing hands alone when you have a two-handed piece is an excellent way to learn the motions and notes of the piece.  Practicing slowly will help you with coordinating the hands, playing the correct notes the first time, and keeping a steady beat.

Awesome advice.  I wonder who will be December's Students of the Month?

Emma's First End-of-Book Recital

Congratulations, Emma! You've finished your first End-of-Book recital! Emma played ten pieces from Hal Leonard's Piano Method Book One this past weekend.  Here is her program:

Skateboard Doodle (from memory)
My Best Friend (from memory)
Nobody Know the Trouble I'm In
Let Me Fly!
Pirates of the Sea
Trumpet Man (from memory)
Star Quest
Go for the Gold
Long, Long Ago (from memory)
Scottish Air (from memory)

We arranged her keyboard in her living room so it was just right. Mom had little lights decorating the piano and snacks for afterwards.  Emma's sister, Ida, her mom and dad, joined me in the living room as I introduced Emma.  She played her ten pieces and then I gave her her certificate of accomplishment and her new books.

It was an exciting evening for Emma and I!

Student of the Month - June

I picked Kenny for June's Student of the Month because he was consistently prepared for each lesson.  He accomplished what I asked of him and did it with a great attitude.  He has progressed a lot this first year of piano lessons.  I look forward to working with him next year and seeing what he will do!

March Student of the Month - Yea! Emma

Congratulations to Emma for being picked as March's Student of the Month.

Emma started piano lessons in 2014.  She is currently in the Hal Leonard Piano Method book 1. 


Emma moved to the United States from Sweden.  She speaks Swedish and French.  Here's her interview:

What do you like to do for fun?  She likes to play on the trampoline and swim.
What is your favorite toy?  Glynn, my stuffed tiger.  I like to hug him.
What do you hate to do?  Stop playing and having fun so I can practice piano.  BUT, I like playing piano!
What's the best part of piano lessons? Learning how to play.
What's the worst part of piano lessons?  She couldn't think of anything.  Yea!
What music are listening to that isn't piano related?  Her wake-up music.

So that's Emma, our March Student of the Month!

Two Students of Cindy's Piano Studio are Recorded

Congratulations to James Pirrello and Sarah Quadt on making their first End-of-Book CD.

This was my first test with making CDs instead of doing an actual End-of-Book recital for students when they finish a method book.  We video taped as well as had a live audience.  I'm still learning how to do this the best way; however, we've done it!  We had two other students finish their books but couldn't get the software to work right.  So congratulations to Harper Dawes and Liz Quadt also!

I'm looking forward to seeing who will finish their books next.

I love working with technology and am always learning how to make Cindy's Piano Studio more relevant to today's students.  Stay tuned...

Practice For Paws

Practice For Paws

Students of Cindy’s Piano Studio raised money for the Chautauqua County Humane Society by practicing the piano.  For two weeks students recorded their practice time and then collected monies from sponsors.  The students asked their family, friends, and neighbors to sponsor their practice time for a penny per minute of practice.   

The sponsors were invited to attend our benefit recital held on Saturday, June 14^th.   Mrs. Robison brought one of her piano keyboards to the pavilion at Ellery Park in Bemus Point on Saturday morning.  Even though the weather turned very cold and windy, the students were brave and entertained us with pop and movie music.  Popcorn was provided to help make the event even more fun. 

Students were awarded prizes for collecting the most money, getting the most donors, and for the most practice time during the two weeks.

A check for $345 was presented to Sandy Gulloth and Jill Patterson, volunteers for the Humane Society. Mae, a very cute stray beagle, was in attendance to give her applause.  Mae is available for adoption at the Humane Society. 

Students performing were Eliza A., Eliza and Harper D., Stephanie D., Makala N., Isac and James P., Liz and Sarah Q., Sophia and Sydney S., and Alex S.

Jamestown Association of Piano Teachers Recital at Lutheran Home

Today was the first Association of Piano Teachers' recital at the Lutheran Home in the Chapel.  Cindy's Piano Studio had nine students participating.  That's half of the students from CPS!  They all did a great job playing their pieces.  For three of the students, this was their first recital.

Stephanie Derkovitz played Love Somebody.

Maddison March played Old MacDonald Had a Band.

Harper Dawes played Gallop, Pony and Scotland Bells.

Lizzy Quadt played Go Tell Aunt Rhodie Theme and Variation.

Sydney Segrue played Arabesque by Burgmuller.

Our mystery student played Sea (C) Song.

Sophia Segrue played Taxi Tangle.

Eliza Dawes played Japaneze Garden and Jazz Jig.

Sarah Quadt played Beach Party and Pumpkin Boogie.

It was a short program as half the pieces were less than 30 seconds in length!  It was such a pretty sunny day too.  All the students received a certificate of participation at the end.  Here's Sophie's...

Today's participating students live in Chautauqua County, mostly in the Bemus Point area, some in Lakewood and Ashville; none from Jamestown today.

Ten Years Is A Long Time With One Student...I'm So Blessed To Have Had Her In My Studio!

She has grown up and is now going across the world to other adventures.  Dominique Del Calzo was my first piano student after moving to Lakewood.  She has become a friend, almost like a daughter.  I'm so glad God put her in my life ten years ago.

I asked Dominique to write a testimonial for me. (See below.) I cried when I read it.  We never know how we are affecting other people's lives...unless they tell us.

"Ten years is a long time, and spending a decade stretching your fingers to reach an octave, tapping your foot to keep rhythm, or straining your ears to hear one note may not seem like fun to you; but for me, it has been a blast!

When I was about seven years old, my mother approached Mrs. Robison hoping that she would take me on as a piano student. I wasn't athletic due to my health, and in our community if you didn't do sports, you basically did nothing. Our opportunities were limited. Fortunately Mrs. Robison had just moved to the area. At my mother's request she opened her home to me to teach me.  I eagerly began my lessons and have been learning how to play ever since.

Mrs. Robison's lessons were phenomenal. She was patient and caring. She taught me not just scales, dynamics, chords, and sight reading, but also how to appreciate God and His many blessings. You will find her music theory work even helps in every day school. And with electronics a staple in her lessons, she kept me entertained even as a restless middle schooler. Her methods, though they may seem crazy at first, really work! Everything she has incorporated into her work has helped my musical abilities, as well as my heart to grow.

In a just a few short hours I will be walking across Maple Grove Junior-Senior High School's stage to receive my high school diploma. But, before I do that, I have to say goodbye to piano lessons with Mrs. Robison. Today, June 21, 2013 is my last day as her student and the half hour I will spend with her will be a bittersweet one indeed. If anyone is looking to take piano lessons, I would not even think twice before recommending her. She is the best teacher I have ever had, and for that I am so grateful.

I would like to thank her for her prayers. I would like to thank her for my 18th birthday and graduation gift. I would like to thank her for making Christmas music the highlight of my winter season. I would like to thank her for teaching me to teach myself. I would like to thank her for listening to all the crazy music I listen to and allowing me to play it. I would like to thank her for teaching me history and embracing the future.

Most of all, I would like to thank her for being there through it all.  Mrs. Robison, you truly are an inspiration and great role model for all students. Thank you for what you have given me in these ten years we have had together. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank YOU!

Love,

Dominique Del Calzo

Student 2003 - 2013"

Here is a video snippet of her last lesson pieces (less than a minute)

I'm sad to see her go; but excited for what the future holds for this special young lady.

Bald Eagle Thanks Students For Their Help at Audubon Benefit Recital

Bald Eagle Thanks Students For Their Help

Students of Cindy’s Piano Studio, Bemus Point and Lakewood locations, recently held a benefit recital at Jamestown’s Audubon Center.  Attendees brought their lawn chairs and blankets and enjoyed animal themed music in front of the ponds.  Because the Audubon is an educational organization, Mrs. Robison had the children research interesting facts about the animal represented in their piece.

The program started with Luke Lindeman playing More Fireflies and ended with Stuart Rinehart playing The Steeplechase. Other participating students were:  Ava Crist, Harper and Eliza Dawes, Fletcher, Porter, and Trey DeMink, Stephanie Derkovitz, Jordan Feinen, Jack Lingenfelter, Carling Lockwood, Mallory Lohnes, Makala Nelsen, James, Simon, and Isac Pirrello, Desiree Putt, Sarah and Lizzy Quadt, Oliver Rinehart, Sydney Segrue, and Lillian and Gloria Marsh, Coco Seagren. Mrs. Brianna Lopez, teacher, and Mrs. Cindy Robison, Owner/Teacher also accompanied some duets with the students.

Jeff from the Audubon gave a short talk about what they do at the Audubon and how we can help. Just as we finished the music and were taking pictures, the bald eagle flew overhead. We felt it was his way of saying thank you for helping us.

Cindy’s Piano Studio raised $207 in donations so the education can continue.  If you would like to help, you may contact Jamestown Audubon Society at (716) 569-2345 or visit their website at http://jamestownaudubon.org/.

Student Comment: I love piano because it sounds pretty!

I had to take a picture of this yesterday.  It was on the front of Mallory's piano assignment notebook.  She drew this picture in school and then told me about it at her lesson.

She says, "I love piano because it sounds pretty."  I agree with her.  I think Mallory and I will be making lots of pretty sounds at the piano through the years!

Piano lessons in Chautauqua County sound be exciting and fun and relevant to today's students.  So far, Mallory thinks they are.  I hope I can continue to keep her interest.

Singing for a Steady Beat

An adult student said to me yesterday that she had to sing so that she could get a steady beat.  She knew the song so it was fairly easy for her to accomplish. 

I love it when my students teach themselves!  She learned a valuable lesson that day.

Skype and Piano Recitals!

This was a first for Cindy's Piano Studio and hopefully the beginning of many more exciting global recitals.  Oliver had his first end-of-book recital at his home tonight.  His dad is from the Netherlands where his parents still live.  They were able to see Oliver perform live via Skype and we were able to see them.  What a great way to share in each other's lives even though thousands of miles apart.

In the Mood

After playing Great News a few times and recording it, Taylor said, "That song puts me in the mood!" I love it when students are enjoying the music as well as the lessons. It makes me feel like my time with them is worthwhile.