September Newsletter 2025
- Katie Tilbury
- Aug 27
- 8 min read
Welcome back to Simply Joy Studios! It is going to be a fantastic 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 your child.
Simply Joy Calendar 2025-26
September 8th - First Day of Lessons Fall 2025
September 30th - Studio Closed National Truth and Reconciliation Day
Monday, October 13th - Studio Closed Thanksgiving
Sunday, October 19th - 2:00pm- Ready-or-Not Recital 2025
November 12-19th - Studio Closed for Fall Break
A Charlie Brown Christmas Recital - TBD - Millwoods Community Church
Sunday, December 21st - Last Day of Lessons 2025
Monday, January 12th - First Day of Lessons Winter 2026
Monday, February 16th - Studio Closed Family Day
March 30-April 3 - Spring Break - Studio Closed
April 3-6th - Studio Closed Easter
Jazz Blast - Spring Recital - TBD
May 16-18th - Studio Closed May Long Weekend
June 20th - Year End Recital - 3:00pm
Friday, June 26th - Last Day Lessons 2026
Musical Explorations
What to expect this year at Simply Joy Studios.
Each year I try to explore new topics and activities for students to both broaden their musicianship skills and peak their imagination. To do this, I have created themes for some months in the studio to encourage students to explore new ideas in their music making. This allows me to provide well rounded music education for your child, especially when we might not have time for specific subjects in the regular lessons throughout the year.
September - Technique Bootcamp - every student who goes through piano lessons at home will discover the joy of scales and arpeggios (yes like the Aristocats song). Scales and arpeggios fit into the greater classification of "technique" along with many other exercises. These are fundamental to building the abilities and dexterity to play their pieces well. Students will be encouraged to work on their technique in this first month and be introduced to new exercises that they will play throughout the year. This will provide them with a solid foundation to their playing!
October - Ready-Or-Not Recital - This recital is so much fun as it is a chance for parents and students to meet each other and get to know the community of families that are at Simply Joy. Students are encouraged to dress casually for this recital, as it is mainly a chance to introduce new students to the recital concept, and for returning students to show everyone what they were working on over the summer! I encourage each student to play in this recital - but of course, no pressure!
December - A Charlie Brown Christmas Recital - I am very excited about this recital, and came to the idea after talking with another piano teacher friend of mine! For the first bit of the recital, students will play some pieces that they chose for themselves as per usual. However, we will have a short snack break to get popcorn and hot chocolate and then students will play soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas Special, in all different levels. To finish the recital we will watch the short Christmas special together - so think popcorn, and Christmas hot chocolate! This is a totally new format for our Christmas recital, but I think will be a fantastic way to explore movie and film music and spread holiday cheer!
February - Composition Month - This is an exciting month at Simply Joy Studios, as students will create their own compositions and put their music theory to work by writing them down! There will be short videos recorded of their pieces to share with family and friends at the end of the month.
April - Jazz Blast Recital - This recital will be a special one for us as students will be exploring the rhythms and grooves popular in jazz music! For the recital, I hope to welcome a jazz drummer to accompany the students, and add dramatic flair to the concert! It truly will be a blast.
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 playing again for Edmonton Youth/Children's Choirs this upcoming year! They rehearse on Tuesday nights in South Edmonton. 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! There are many other choirs in the city that might be a better fit for your child, so please don't hesitate to contact me for more information.
The Music of Star Wars - various dates
Join a quest to a galaxy far, far away with your favourite Star Wars rebels, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Your ESO will take you on a galactic musical journey through the iconic Oscar-winning music of John Williams and Michael Giacchino. A must-see for Star Wars fans!
This concert will include an intermission.
Peter and the Wolf - November 2 - 2:30pm
The classic orchestral fairy tale of an adventurous child and his encounter with a wolf.
This timeless tale of a young boy who confronts a menacing wolf with the help of his animal friends returns to the Winspear stage. Experience the ESO play the delightful score that cleverly introduces young audience members to the different musical instruments while the classic musical fable is narrated live. The whole family will love this charming story and wonderful musical experience.
Symphony For Kids concerts are designed to be the ideal child-sized introduction to orchestral music. Family-friendly activities are available in the lobby prior to each SFK concert, so be sure to arrive early – and, of course, there will be fresh popcorn!
This concert will not include an intermission.
Life of PI - September 13 - October 5
The Life of Pi brings Yann Martel’s acclaimed novel to life in a visually stunning and emotionally captivating theatrical experience. The story follows Pi Patel, a young Indian boy who survives a shipwreck and is left stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with only a Royal Bengal tiger named Richard Parker for company. As Pi struggles to survive in the vast, unforgiving ocean, he confronts the limits of his faith, his resilience, and his understanding of the world.
The stage adaptation immerses audiences in Pi’s extraordinary journey, blending breathtaking visuals, puppetry, and immersive storytelling to bring the ocean, the tiger, and Pi’s incredible survival to vivid life. As Pi recounts his tale to skeptical officials, the play explores themes of faith, identity, and the power of storytelling, leaving audiences to question the nature of truth and belief.
Vinyl Cafe - November 8 - December 7
The world premiere of a holiday musical for the whole family based on Stuart McLean’s beloved Vinyl Cafe stories. The musical weaves together some of McLean’s most popular stories, such as: “Dave Cooks the Turkey” and “Rashida, Amir and the Great Gift-Giving” into a hilarious celebration of the highs and lows of the holiday season and the importance of community and family.
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 31st, 2025.
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