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July Newsletter 2024

Updated: Aug 27, 2024


We made it to the end of the year!! Happy July everyone!


Important Dates


September 9th - First Day of Lessons Fall 2024
October 26th - Ready-or-Not Recital 2024


Pre-Registration for Fall 2024

Pre-registration for the Fall 2024 is open, and will continue to be open for the summer! Please be sure to register, as it is open to the public now and there is no guarantee of your spot if you do not pay the deposit to hold your spot for the fall! I am having a slightly smaller studio this upcoming year, due to extra contracts that I have been offered, and so spaces are limited! :)



THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Thank you all for your continued support and for pushing your children towards excellence this year! We had a wonderful time at the recital, and I could not be more proud of the students! It is crazy to see some students I have taught for many many years graduating high school (Ryana and Ryan pictured), and also makes me so proud of what they have accomplished! Please join me in well wishes to them for their future endeavours in music making, as both intend on studying music at post secondary! Every performance get's a little bit easier, and I commend all the students once again for their amazing work for the recital!




Katie's Tips on Summer Practice

Over the summertime, every student (I think on the entirety of planet earth) practices less. The weather is warmer, the days are longer and we all go away on trips. Here are my tips to help your children continue some piano practice over the summer, so that they feel prepared in the fall!

  • Ask them to practice on a specific day of the week - for example, Tuesdays are practice days throughout the summer! Keep a chart (much like a summer reading chart) and have a prize for them if they complete a certain number of practice days!

  • Download some music games for them on their devices - Earpeggio, Flashnote Derby or Rhythm Swing (younger students) are just some examples! But there are many awesome music games for kids! It keeps their reading up!

  • Purchase a "FUN BOOK" for the summer that they can read through - getting a book that has songs that they know and can practice just for fun is an excellent way to keep engagement in the summertime. I remember going every July with my mom to the music store and getting to pick whatever book I wanted (in my level)! It was exciting, and fun because I felt like I could choose what I wanted to play.

  • Put on a family Talent Show Night - this is an awesome goal in the summer time, as a fun and low stakes performance opportunity! Encourage the students to play songs that they learned over the year that they already know, and invite your family over! Maybe the parents can also learn a song or two! ;)

  • Practice Incentives - Practice incentives are always a good thing. I always tell people that I wouldn't have continued piano if it didn't mean that I got out of doing the dishes as a teenager... so whatever you think motivates your child, is the best!


Remember: It is not unusual for students to want to be outside playing in the summertime rather than practicing. This doesn't mean that they are not interested, or should not continue! Sitting still is hard for everyone... including us adults! But even 15 minutes a day (or every other day) can make a massive difference in the fall! Good luck!


Student Opportunities

There are many fantastic opportunities for students to explore music over the summer, and in the fall that are happening in the city of Edmonton! Here's some to take note of!


Summer Camps at the Citadel

Spend your summer at the Citadel! Check out our roster of week-long performing arts camps for ages 6-17, two-week Intensives for teens who are committed to furthering their training and our extremely popular Dungeons & Dragons series! We’re also excited to introduce our new Youth and Teen Performance Labs and their productions of Disney’s Frozen Jr. and Frozen KIDS.

All summer camps run from 9:00am-4:00pm* with one hour for lunch. We also provide extended supervision from 8:30am-9:00am and 4:00-4:30pm at no additional cost.



Songburst Kids - Choir Alberta

SongBurst Kids Summer Choir Workshop is a week-long musical experience for children 9-13 years of age. This half-day program offers an exploration of choral singing along with an introduction to aspects of dancing, drama, ukulele and percussion that help bring our music and the text to life. Our fun and inspiring artistic team is made up of some of the finest music educators in Edmonton. At the end of the week, participants perform in a wrap-up concert for family, friends, and fans, in collaboration with SongBurst Adult Summer Choir. I will be joining the artistic team with SongBurst this upcoming summer and would love to see some of my students there!


MusiCamp Alberta

MusicCamp Alberta is a fantastic summer program that includes many options for older students. There is a range of fantastic programs, and it also includes options for bursaries and scholarships!

Registrations for MusiCamp 2024 are open! We are excited to announce the following programs:

  • DAVID J PETERKIN SYMPHONIC BAND, July 21 to July 27. Recommended for students ages 15-18, with at least three years of instrument experience.

  • FRANK E DUNNIGAN CONCERT BAND, July 21 to July 27. Recommended for students ages 13-16, with at least one year of instrument experience.

  • JAZZ BAND WORKSHOP, July 28 to August 3. Recommended for students ages 13-18, with at least one year of instrument experience.

  • MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE, July 28 to August 3. Recommended for students ages 12-18, with any level of experience.



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: "Songs for the Screen"

  • 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 June 10th.



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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