Spring Newsletter 2025
- Katie Tilbury
- Oct 22, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Happy Spring everyone! This week seems like the best reprieve, after the cold snap that seemed to last longer than usual! The sun is now shining and the air is hopeful! Please read through the following newsletter thoroughly, as there are important dates and changes due to my schedule in the month of March.
March Schedule
There are many dates throughout the month of March where I had to change lessons due to other contracts including adjudicating a music festival, concerts, Citadel Spring Break Camps, as well as a musical I played in. Please let me know if you are still needing a makeup lesson. Most choirs that I play for have concerts in April and May, and so the season is becoming more busy!
April 20 - 21st - Easter Sunday, Easter Monday - No lessons
April 27th -Women Composers Recital - 1:00pm
Female Composers Recital
Join us on April 27th for a recital filled with amazing works by female composers! The music library is vast, and it is not celebrated enough! Please keep in mind that your students should be practicing even more leading up to the recital! :)
Practice Incentive April 2025
Speaking of the importance of practicing - I have created a practice competition for the month of April. I know that getting kiddos to practice is a difficult task, especially when the sun is shining and there is homework, soccer, gymnastics and free play time to be had! Because of this, there will be a practice incentive for the month of April! Students will get their name put into a hat, and the more weeks that they meet their individual practicing goal, the more chances they get to win! Each student will get to pick a treat out of my box each week that they meet their goals as well! It is a wonderful opportunity to build practicing into their daily routine. They will be sent home with a chart to track their practicing! Good luck everyone!
Prize 1: $25 Indigo Gift Card
Prize 2: $20 Indigo Gift Card
**Smaller weekly prizes for 7 days in a row!
Student Opportunities
There are many fantastic opportunities for students to explore music, that are happening in the city of Edmonton! Here's some to take note of!
Angela Hewitt in Concert
April 7, 2025
One of the world’s leading concert pianists, Angela Hewitt appears globally in recital and as soloist with major orchestras. A native of Ottawa, she also performs throughout Canada and has won four Junos along with numerous other awards. Renowned for her interpretations of J.S. Bach in live performance and recordings, her extensive discography spans works by Beethoven, Scarlatti, Handel, Couperin, Rameau, Haydn, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, and many more.
This concert will include an intermission.
We are Family : United In Harmony
Apr 3 - Apr 6, 2025
Musical Duo C.J. - consisting of Edmonton’s own Chariz Faulmino (Prison Dancer, Almost a Full Moon, She Loves You, Uptown Girls) and Jameela McNeil (The Colour Purple, As You Like It, The Royale, She Loves You) - are back at the Citadel with a concert all about family! From Stevie Nicks to Janet Jackson to Cher, some of the biggest musicians we know started in family bands. Joined by an incredible group of local musicians, C.J. will take you on a journey through the decades celebrating the ties that bind. Featuring music from groups such as The Bee Gees, The Isely Brothers, ABBA, Styx, Sister Sledge, and more! Sit back, relax, and let the rhythm move you!
Submit Your Artwork!
“Beginning with audacity is a very great part of the art of painting." — Winston Churchill.
Please show off your artistic skills through creating artwork for the front page of the recital program. We will be having a variety of art contests throughout the year for the recitals, and it is a great way to show off your other artistic talents! You can submit your artwork anytime throughout the next few weeks. The rules are as follows:
The artwork must include the title of the recital: "Ready-Or-Not"
Colour is preferred, but not required.
You can use any medium (crayons, pencil, paint or digital media).
Submission needs to be a jpg. file or a PDF and must be submitted through the website.
Submissions are due by October 15th.
The Nitty-Gritty Info
Payment Information/Schedule
Payment for lessons is due by the 5th of each month. Late payments will be charged a $20.00 late fee.
Each student will be charged, on their first invoice for a $40 performance fee for the entire year. This is new for this year, and will cover costs of recital spaces and masterclasses with clinicians (such as a composition masterclass, or performance class).
Missed Lessons/Makeup Lesson Policy
There is a no make-up policy for missed lessons.
However, if there is an emergency or if the student is very ill, it is up to my discretion. The money paid for any missed lessons will not be refunded.
If the teacher is absent, the lesson will be made up at a time that is convenient for teacher and student.
This year we are going to try specific makeup lesson days set in advance. For the month of September, this date will be Sunday, Sept. 24th.
What to Bring to Your First Lesson
Teacher Notebook - this will include your lesson instructions of what to practice through the week. This is a direct communication between both the teacher and the student, but also the teacher and the parents.
Any piano books that you have used in the previous year, and the new level if you have been asked to purchase it.
Pencil
Notebook/journal for practice journalling if you are above the age of 8yrs old.
Lesson Locations
There are two lesson locations. Please note the location when you receive your lesson confirmation time.
8323 82nd Ave NW. Edmonton, AB T6C0Y5
Millwoods Community Church - 2304 38th Street NW, Edmonton, AB, T6L 4K9
APTA Student Bursary
The Alberta Piano Teachers Association has a student bursary available for any students who are experiencing financial need. This bursary is to help the students continue lessons during this time.
The amount of money given out varies year by year, and is split between the successful applicants.
To apply for this bursary, please send Katie an email and I will send you more information.
The Deadline to apply is: October 31, 2023.
Comments