September Newsletter 2024
- Katie Tilbury
- Aug 27, 2024
- 6 min read
Welcome back to Simply Joy Studios!! I cannot wait for another year of music making!
News for Your First Lesson
It is a new year, and I am excited to get started with everyone! To start the year, if you can please join your child in their lesson just for the first 5 minutes. We will go over some news about the year for each specific student such as invoicing and makeup lessons (both of which are not changing from last year), recitals, RCM exams and to check if we need new books for the students!
Simply Joy Calendar 2024-25
September 9th - First Day of Lessons Fall 2024
October 13-14th - Thanksgiving No Lessons
October 26th - Ready-or-Not Recital 2024
December 6th - Songs of the Season Christmas Concert - 6pm
December 20th - Last Day of Lessons 2024
January 5th - First Day of Lessons 2025
March 23rd- 29th - Spring Break , Studio Closed No Lessons
April 5th -Women Composers Recital - 2:00pm
April 20 - 21st - Easter Sunday, Easter Monday - No lessons
April 5th -Women Composers Recital - 2:00pm
June 14th - Year End Recital - 2:00pm
June 27th - Last Day Lessons 2025
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! :)
Starting the Year off Right
I often hear parents talking about how to get a good practice routine for their children. I would like to say that I have found the key for my own practice, but that would be a lie! It is just plain difficult to keep it in the schedule. Here are some important tips for practicing, so that students can begin the year by putting their best foot forward! We all know that it truly is the parents who encourage their children to practice and shepherd them towards success - you all do so much for your kids!
Set up a consistent time of day for practice - for example, they always practice for a half hour after dinner, or right away after their snack after school. Having the consistency of the time of day is very helpful for routine and habit building!
Students should practice at least 5 days a week - Students will thrive and feel like they are making progress in their instrument when they practice atleast 5 days a week. I generally say that they should be practicing at least for the same amount of time as their lesson!
Encourage them to practice songs they already know for FUN! Sometimes students get frustrated when things are hard. Encourage your child to practice some harder songs at the beginning of their practice session, and end with something they already know that they find fun to play!
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!
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!
Meet Katie Tilbury
It is not very often that I feel like I should introduce myself, as many of you know me. However, there are quite a few new faces around here and I wanted to re-introduce myself!
I currently am working as a collaborative pianist, piano teacher and artist in the city of Edmonton and surrounding areas. This means that I work with many choirs in the city, playing piano and leading rehearsals. I also work at the Kings University, Concordia University and the U of A, playing piano for their instrumental and vocal students. I love working with many different age groups and abilities, and am incredibly passionate about music education as a whole. I believe that music and the arts are for every person and if you think that you don't have a talent in the arts - you just haven't found the right one yet! My teaching style is always catered to each student, and I have experience working with students of all abilities. For more information, please visit the ABOUT KATIE page on my website.
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!
Edmonton Youth and Children's Choirs
I am starting to play for Edmonton Youth/Children's Choirs this upcoming year! They rehearse on Tuesday nights. Choir is an excellent opportunity to improve musicianship, and enjoy creating music in a group! I encourage all of my students to sing in the lessons, and many have an affinity for it!
Winspear in the Square - Once Upon A Time
Join us on August 30 & 31 in Churchill Square for a magical journey into storytelling and music as only the timeless tales of Disney can evoke. Brought to life by the talents of four Broadway calibre singers and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, and featuring high resolution Animated Feature Film sequences, Disney in Concert Once Upon a Time explores iconic moments, plot twists, and feats of daring heroics from Encanto, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Tangled, The Lion King, and many more.
As these concerts are FREE to attend, attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good spot. The performance will begin at 7 PM and last approximately two hours, including an intermission. We kindly ask that you consider making a donation to help ensure we can continue to provide these summer concerts for the community.
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.
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