January Newsletter 2024
- Katie Tilbury
- Jan 9, 2024
- 2 min read
Happy New Year to all the families from Simply Joy Studios! I trust that the break was wonderful for you and your loved ones! Before we get started in the New Year, I want to wish you all the best in the coming days and thank you again for your continued support of your kid's love of music!
Thank you also for the amazing support of the students at the Christmas recital and also for your food bank donations!
January Technique Bingo
Start the year off on the right foot with the January Technique Bingo! There are two sheets in the PDF including an advanced bingo, and a beginner! Please print off this sheet for your child so that we can work through it in the upcoming month!
Important Dates
January 8th - First Day of Lessons February 22-25 - Katie Away at Conference, lessons will be rescheduled
February 1-22 - Sherwood Park Music Festival Registration February 5th - Registration Deadline Edmonton Music and Speech Arts Festival
Music Festivals
Music festivals are such a fantastic opportunity for students to show off their hard work, and gain some understanding of new techniques from other teachers! There are a few festivals happening in and around our city in the next few months. Here are a few to take note of as registration deadlines are coming up in February.
Sherwood Park Music Festival
Dates - April 22nd - 26th
Registration Deadline - February 22nd
Edmonton Music and Speech Arts Festival
Dates - April 20 - May 1
Registration Deadline - February 5th
Concert Opportunities
There are many fantastic concerts happening in the city of Edmonton in the upcoming months! Here's one to take note of!
Gershwin's Key Family Day Concert
George Gershwin’s most enduring pieces of music are magically woven into a dramatic story as two actors share anecdotes and observations based on true stories from the iconic composer. You'll hear music from I Got Rhythm, An American in Paris, Girl Crazy, and more, plus Gershwin's beloved Rhapsody in Blue!
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: "A Merry Christmas Recital"
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 December 7th.
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.
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