Friday, January 14, 2022

2022 Teaching Training Season

We are about to open up our 2022 teaching training season with a LIVE training seminar being held on Friday and Saturday, February 26 in SLC, Utah! Our all-day, in-person seminars are presented by our highly skilled training teams and are incredibly dynamic and playful. The demand for local teachers is increasing across the country. We hope to be adding 30-50 new teachers this year!  

In our training seminars, we teach the way children learn, the developmental characteristics of children, and how to best reach them. We also discuss the basic philosophies and methods of our curriculum so that teachers leave feeling empowered and educated. We demonstrate the curriculum activities, the curriculum flow, and we cover topics such as classroom management, business management, and how to promote your studio. Our training seminars are so interactive and dynamic, we hardly notice the entire day pass by. 


Even though we have online options, we highly recommend attending our full-day, in-person Curriculum Training. They're powerful, motivational, and exciting! The trainers are highly successful studio owners, excellent musicians, business mentors, and they're FUN because they are experts at reminding adults how to PLAY like children! 

Here’s what some of our past attendees have said about their experience: 


I Left Feeling Empowered
"After attending the Curriculum Training, I came away better understanding the "why" behind what we are teaching and the reasons we are using these specific philosophies and methods. This training was so empowering! I felt comfortable, I had so much fun and I’m leaving feeling excited to teach. I am relieved that I'll get more training on recruiting students. I love the feel and connection and support I got from the training team. They were fantastic!" ~Rachel Alldredge, Maple Valley, WA



Teacher Support is Unmatched
"The teacher support in this company is far, and above any other, I have experienced. The mentoring and tools available are simply unmatched. I credit much of my success to the way this company supports its teachers." ~Luann Harms, Peachtree City, GA



To be eligible to attend one of our training seminars, teachers must go through our application process to be accepted to become a teacher.  


More upcoming seminars: 

  • April 8,9 in Phoenix, AZ
  • May 6 in Chicago, IL
  • June 1,2 in SLC, UT

We also have an event coming up called “Ask a Teacher.” On Friday, February 11, we will host a live event on Instagram where we answer the top four questions about becoming a teacher: 1. How much money can you make? 2. How much time does it take? 3. What kind of space do you need to teach? 4. What equipment do I need and what is provided? Then on Friday, February 18, we host a Zoom webinar where people can join and ask any question they want about becoming a teacher. It’s a great way to figure out if becoming a teacher is a fit! 

 We are excited about our training year and can’t wait to meet these new teachers on February 26! We love showing music teachers how to make more money in less time doing what they love to do!

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Sneak Peek into Your Dream Job

Are you interested in becoming a teacher? Let's take a sneak peek into what it would be like if you were to join us for our February 25th Curriculum Training in Salt Lake City, Utah. Let’s start at the very beginning...

You love the idea of having a job where you create your schedule and can use your talents and skills to make a difference. You want flexible hours, a lucrative income, and a way to maximize your time. So, you choose to plug into Let's Play Music's support network and reputable "turn-key" business. After going through the application process, you know you have opted into a successful opportunity that will save you time, money and set you up to do what you love most, teach music! 
What so happens next?

Preliminary Training
After you complete the application process and are accepted to teach, you will complete the Preliminary Training online in the comfort of your home. We will teach you the business of setting up and running a successful music studio through our online training. We have a proven method or "recipe" you follow for setting up your studio, classes, and recruiting students. You have a designated support team you work with every step of the way. They can answer questions and will keep you on track. The Preliminary Training takes about four weeks to complete. Once it's complete, you'll be ready to attend the Curriculum Training. 

Curriculum Training
Even though we have online options, we highly recommend attending our full-day, in-person Curriculum Training. They're powerful, motivational, and exciting! The trainers are highly successful studio owners, excellent musicians, business mentors, and they're FUN because they are experts at reminding adults how to PLAY like children! 

We hold our training at a hotel. Once you sit down and meet the other teachers in training, the trainers will begin, and you'll be surprised how quickly you feel like one of the family because our trainers are masters at human connection, and they'll teach you to be a master too!

Shortly after training begins, you are up and at it. You'll go back and forth between the instruction area to the active area and discover how to teach musicianship skills through singing, dancing, and full-body experiences. We'll explain the piano playing dilemma and how we solve this problem by defining young children's development needs and utilizing the music learning window to teach complex music skills and ear training to the very young child. You'll eat it up! In the early evening, when training is complete, you'll have experienced most of the activities you'll be teaching that upcoming year. You will leave your newfound collaboration partners (teachers and trainers) enthused, excited, and eager to take what you've learned back to your community. 

Opportunities for Teaching 

We invite you to consider investing in teaching our exciting, age-appropriate, fun-filled curricula that will astound and delight your students and families. Our unparalleled teacher training, support, and collaboration will enrich your life and set you up to succeed! It could be a life-changing opportunity sitting at your fingertips. 

Join us for our February Training by applying to teach right away! 

What our teachers are saying about training: 

I Left Feeling Empowered

"After attending the Curriculum Training, I came away better understanding the "why" behind what we are teaching and the reasons we are using these specific philosophies and methods. This training was so empowering! I felt comfortable, I had so much fun and I’m leaving feeling excited to teach. I am relieved that I'll get more training on recruiting students. I love the feel and connection and support I got from the training team. They were fantastic!" ~Rachel Alldredge, Maple Valley, WA



Teacher Support is Unmatched

"The teacher support in this company is far, and above any other, I have experienced. The mentoring and tools available are simply unmatched. I credit much of my success to the way this company supports its teachers." ~Luann Harms, Peachtree City, GA



    Join us for our "Ask a Teacher" Event and get your specific questions answered.
 

Instagram Live 
Join us for the details about becoming a teacher.
Follow our Instagram @letsplaymusic_official
Friday, February 11th, 10:00 am MST
Zoom Webinar 
Register for the Webinar and ask real teachers about their experience.
Friday, February 18th, 10:00 am MST

We'll make it worth your time! If you attend our Ask a Teacher Webinar and decide that becoming a teacher is a good fit, we'll give you a $250 discount on the licensing fee. That's time well spent to check it out. 


Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Practice Habits for Parents



In the first two weeks of music class, your child is a superstar music student, and THEN, you are tempted to let your child slip into lazy practice habits. It goes something like this: 

"My son is doing fine. He can do everything the teacher wants him to play, so I think it's fine that he actually only practices once each week. We just get all of the practicing done in one sitting, because it's so easy for him."

"My daughter doesn't spend time at the piano every day, but I saw her in class on lesson 5 and I think she's the best one in class. For her, practicing as-needed is good enough. She feels confident."

The Goal of Daily Practice is "Daily Practice"

One of our biggest goals in music class is to establish daily practice habits. As we get into more complicated lessons, the students who started out with once-weekly practice really struggle!

My son used to be doing fine in class, but now he's frustrated. He's upset if he can't play everything perfectly on the first day. 
  • Get in the habit of practicing daily, so he learns to reach goals over time, not all at once. Once weekly habits set unreal expectations for instant perfection. Establish the daily habit BEFORE the challenging material comes.
My daughter is suddenly frustrated with playing songs that use chords. She used to be confident in class. 
  • Students who get used to 'cramming' for lessons will be frustrated in a few weeks. Playing the piano requires building up muscle memory, which requires repeating specific motions. Ear training also takes repeated exposure. You can't CRAM if you want to become a musician!

Getting Started

Piano practice will fit easier into real life if we start small: I'm going to help my child get to the piano every day this week. I know we only need 5 minutes... I can find 5 minutes to spend with him. Now, that's doable.

My child doesn't practice because... (fill in the blank). 
  • Help him make a plan to get to the piano bench every day by setting a mini-habit expectation. We're going to sit at the piano bench for a minimum of 
    (*15 minutes) a day. Once he's on the bench, chances are he will enjoy playing through his pieces. (*Keep practice time to age-appropriate expectations.) 
My child is so far behind, he doesn't want to practice. 
  • Break the practice into pieces. Suggest practicing just part of the list, or just one tricky song or one tricky bit of one song, instead of the whole list. Keep practice to the recommended short time- don't let it become unbearably long. Give lots of positive praise: You said you would practice with a smile for 10 minutes and you did! You stayed really focused the whole time and now you're a little better than you were at the beginning! Great job today. 

Monitoring

Marking your practice log doesn't require change, but it often leads to change. Measuring progress brings personal satisfaction, and that leads to motivation to keep practicing. 

In order for this strategy to help, refrain from waiting until the class day to mark the practice log. We tend to give ourselves more credit for good behavior than we deserve. I'm pretty sure you practiced this five times, I'll just sign your book.   

Creating a fun practice log incentive can be especially fun. It's can serve as a motivator for your student and YOU! I've been a cheerful piano supporter for 22 days straight. We can't break my streak now! 

Scheduling 

Scheduling is a tried-and-true strategy. Scheduling works well for your child, too, so they have predictability and routine in these early weeks when practicing is a new skill.

If you haven't already, have a conversation with your child to create a PLAY PLAN to decide when practicing will happen. Don't forget to plan a backup time, because we all know that conflicts happen. Practicing might also fit into your family's definition of order. We don't eat dessert until after we have dinner, and we don't do playdates until after homework and practice are done. It might look like this:

Accountability

You are your student's cheerleader and supporter when it comes to practicing. However, we are more likely to follow through when we know someone else is aware of our efforts, cheering us on, and keeping tabs on us.

Love it or hate it, your Music teacher is aware of how much practicing your child is getting done. If you've been wanting to develop a good practice habit, joining a class is a wonderful gift. You've got a loving, knowledgeable coach on your team. She's checking in on you weekly and willing to help. 


If accountability helps you achieve your goals, tell yourself, I'm going to make a goal to support my son in practicing every day because I know Ms. Teacher is going to be checking up on me!

Over the course of the year, your child can take more responsibility for completing and tracking his own practice, but it happens gradually and he'll need you there supporting, reminding, and cheerleading whenever he struggles with his routine.  When he does eventually take over, it will be a sweet reward.


Post written by Gina Weibel, Let's Play Music Teacher 
Revised by Melissa Lunt







Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Composition Contest WINNERS 2020

Things have been upended in 2020, but one thing that remained consistent was the dedication of Let's Play Music/ Presto music teachers and students.  

Even with some hiccups and some online lessons and some distance learning, these students  embraced the opportunity to cap their class experience by composing a brand-new and very personal composition.  

I will be eager to see how these students continue to overcome circumstances and share their strength through the music they create in years to come.

This year, over 1900 third-year Let's Play Music students in the US and Canada composed music with us. 

2020 also marks the first year of the composition contest for our amazing Presto students. 

We want to show you some of our favorites, as selected by our guest judge, Dr. Karali Hunter.


PRESTO Winner: 
I Write My Own Theme Music by Shae T
From the Studio of: Jenni Trimble
Shae wrote THREE time signature changes and three tempo changes into this piece.




PRESTO Honorable Mention: 
Marigold by Mahina V
From the Studio of: Jamie Peterson



Best Melody and Honorable Mention Best Overall: 
The Flower Blooms by Danicka C
From the Studio of: Darlayne Coughlin
If you listen carefully, you can hear the sun, the rain (the minor section), and the flower blooming.



Best Use of Chords: 
Kirby's Adventure by James M
From the Studio of: Laura Varga
Kirby is fun and has unusual weapons. If you listen carefully, you'll hear a battle between the characters. See if you can hear the hammer and sword sounds, and if you can tell when the battle ends and the celebration begins.




Best Use of ABA Form, and Honorable Mention Best Melody:
Eagle Family by Holland B
From the Studio of: Kaytie Brown
You'll hear the baby hatching in this song!



Most Original and BEST OVERALL:
Nighthawk by Bethany L
From the Studio of: Maura Brewer
You can hear the owl attacking the baby birds in this adventurous piece.



Best Story:
Hoops Basketball Team by Daevon T
From the Studio of: Kathy Wells

This is his basketball team name, and this song makes him feel like a winner! You can hear dribbling, passing, shooting, missing a shot, and cheering.






Honorable Mention, Best Use of Chords:
Ode to Godzilla by Chase Q

From the Studio of: Anna Hinckley

Honorable Mention, Best Use of ABA:
Football by Marlee B
From the Studio of: Rebecca Udy


Honorable Mention, Best Use of ABA:
From the Studio of: Marnie Christensen

Honorable Mention, Most Original:
Feelings for Father by Hazel D
From the Studio of: Celeste Stott

Honorable Mention, Best Story:
Guinea Pig Dance by Elijah G
From the Studio of: Bekah Jennings


Honorable Mention, Best Story:
Robot Goes to War by Alex D
From the Studio of: Ashley Cox

Congratulations to these kids, families, and parents AND all who have successfully composed, published, and performed their very first piano piece!



Guest Judge:

Owner and founder of Hammer & Strings Conservatory, Dr. Karali Hunter is an award-winning performer and pedagogue based in Phoenix, AZ. Hunter's reputation as a dynamic, sensitive, and passionate performer has led to solo and chamber performances across the country and internationally.

Dr. Hunter made her Carnegie Hall debut performance in 2011 after winning first prize in the American Protege Piano and Strings Competition. She has won multiple contests and awards in both performance and pedagogy. An active performer, Dr. Hunter is a founding artist of the chamber music group, Salonnieres, and also performs regularly as featured soloist.

Dr. Hunter received her Bachelor's Degree from Brigham Young University, a Master of Music Degree from Indiana University, and a Doctorate Degree from Arizona State University.

Karali lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband, Matthew, and two young boys, Gavin and Cyrus.

Friday, June 7, 2019

Composition Contest 2019 WINNERS!

One reason I love Let's Play Music is how we encourage students to learn more than just reading/performing music; we teach them to create something new! Now, it's Spring... and that means a huge group of students are bringing BRAND NEW music to the world!

These students (now ages 7-9) write music full of expression, creativity, and skill...and they've only been using a piano for 2 years!

Imagine where they will be in a few more years, now that they have such a strong foundation.

In 2019, over 1700 third-year students in the US and Canada composed music with us.  We want to show you some of our favorites, as selected by our guest judge, Barbara Russel.



Best Melody: 
It's Burton Time by Casten B
From the Studio of: Kim Thomas

"The reason I wrote this is, it reminds me of going to Oregon. You'll hear Ella, the dog, jumping up to greet me." Listeners should be listening for a special coda:




Best Use of Chords: 
Bunny Crossing by Madison C
From the Studio of: Luanne Harms

This is a tale of 3 bunnies. One of the bunnies meets a lion and must run fast to make it home safely!





Best Use of ABA Form:
Sushi Mania by Chauncey R
From the Studio of: Karin Riedel

Be careful not to eat any bad sushi after listening to this.



Most Original:
Golden Rainbow by Elise C
From the Studio of: Stacie Raddatz

Listen closely and you'll hear a double rainbow form!



Best Story:
A Sister Story by Grace S
From the Studio of: Tina Gosney

I wanted to write a song about my baby sister, Elsie, because she's so cute. I'm not the only one singing to her...the animals are singing, too!  Be sure to listen to darling lyrics to this song! 




Best Overall Composition:
Weather by Vinh L
From the Studio of: Amber Barney

This song is exciting, and it's about all kinds of weather. You'll hear Vinh's interpretation of: sunshine, rainbows, clouds, a windy tornado, lighting, thunder, snow, hail and rain!



Honorable Mention, Best Melody:
Running Free by Liv C
From the Studio of: Jennifer Bigley

Honorable Mention, Best Use of ABA:
I Love Jessie by Bryant L
From the Studio of: Marie Guthrie

Honorable Mention, Most Original:
The Skeleton by Jayna B
From the Studio of: Steph Simmons

Honorable Mention, Best Story:
The Easter Egg Hunt and Discovering by Hattie Allred
From the Studio of: Paige Allred

Congratulations to these kids, families, and parents AND all who have successfully composed, published, and performed their very first piano piece!



Our guest judge, Dr. Barbara Russell, holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Eastern Illinois University, and holds Master of Music and Doctorate of Music degrees from Arizona State University in
Piano Pedagogy and Performance. She created original curriculum, taught both group and private lessons in the ASU Piano Prep and Conservatory Program for 19 years under Dr. Janice Meyer Thompson, and served as an adjunct faculty member at Scottsdale Community College, where she taught Music Theory and Rock History.

She was a student of Dr. Catherine Smith, a student of Hungarian composer, conductor, and pianist, Erno Dohnanyi. Dr. Russell owned and directed Spoelman Piano Studio from 2009 to 2015, where she created group lesson curriculum and oversaw the teaching of over 100 private students per week.
She is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through MTNA, maintains Permanent Professional Certification, is a Co Chairman of the Arizona Study Program for the East Valley Music Teachers Association, and serves on the Arizona Study Program State Committee. She currently maintains a private studio in Mesa, Arizona.

Monday, October 15, 2018

Bear Paw Creek

We have some exciting news and a GIVEAWAY for our readers!


As you've seen in all of our programs and classes, we love to bring you a superb curriculum and excellently-trained teachers. Of course, we top it all of with the addition of amazingly beautiful visuals and manipulatives.

We don't produce all of the manipulatives ourselves, so we find partners like Bear Paw Creek to bring you the best.

Bear Paw Creek

From their page: Bear Paw Creek is a company that equips teachers, therapists, and parents as they seek to enrich the lives of others through music and motion.   

We understand the importance of music and movement for developing healthy minds and bodies of all ages. Music stimulates both sides of the brain, lifts our spirits and makes tedious activities seem fun. Incorporating motion with music brings along all the excellent physical and emotional benefits of exercise, strengthening our muscles and improving coordination.  We also have a line of bags for organizing those props and instrument cases.

Since 2000 we have made the best selling Stretchy Band in various sizes. One of our most recent innovations is the Connect-a-Stretchy Band which has a buckle system that allows you use them straight, buckled into a circle, and is great for many different group sizes.  We also have a wonderful line of both ribbon and chiffon streamers, 25″ scarves, balloon balls, square, and textured bean bags.
Who's Behind Bear Paw?
With a passion to create an income from home and inspired by my sister, Kathy Schumacher, MT-BC, a traveling music therapist, we (Christopher and Janet Stephens) opened Props & Bags, Etc in January 2000. I  meshed my love of sewing with the creation of a unique line of movement props along with solutions for organizing and transporting them.  With Christopher’s innovative mind and my designing/sewing skills, we emphasized quality testing and making improvements where needed.  In 2001 we picked up our first wholesale customer, and continued to add more through the years.
As we assessed our company and set goals for the future, we changed our brand name to Bear Paw Creek in 2008.  Some things remain the same: commitment to the people who use our products, and enthusiasm for the manner in which our customers improve the lives of others. We also continue to innovate new products to serve the music and movement community.



The Prize Pack
Prize Total: $233.50
Bear Paw Creek:
Connect-a-stretchy band set of 4 $100
Bean Bag Set of 24 $40
A set of our new 24 bean bags with added colors.  
4" square bean bags: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, white, pink, grey, tan, brown
Let’s Play Music is contributing:
Teddy Bear Cd Set: 37 fun, engaging, age appropriate songs for young ones! 
Used in our Brown Teddy Bears semester of Sound Beginnings Enjoy! $13.50
Mixed Instrument Class Set: A set of 12 instruments for class use. 
Contains 2 of each of the six semesters of Sound Beginnings. 2 ankle jingles, 
2 triangles, 2 tambourines, 2 pair of finger cymbals, 2 pair of rhythm sticks, 
2 pair of maracas. $43.00
Tone Bells: Specially engraved with solfeg syllables just for Let’s Play Music! 
8 colorful removable tone bells with logo carrying case and 2 mallets $27

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!


Winner will be drawn and announced on October 26.  

You get more entries for sharing!