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It’s spring! And we’re at the end of classes for the year, which is a great time to reflect on the progress your child has made over the past year.  In each of the daily and weekly practices, it’s often hard to notice the progress that’s being made, but when looking over the whole year, we can see lots of changes.  I’m sure you can see the improvements your children have made in their abilities to play the piano, read music, and recognize patterns.  For this article, I thought I’d highlight some of the skills that children also learn, in addition to music, through the Music programs here at Harmony Arts.

Respect for the accomplishments of others

Emotional management

Positive talk/affirmations

Goal setting

Service

Self-government

Responsibility

Finding their voice/ identity

Expression in a safe environment

Creation

Presentation skills

Perseverance

Commitment

Consistency

Celebration in success

Changing mistakes made to lessons learned

We’ve loved working with you and your children this year and hope you have a fun-filled summer.  We look forward to seeing you next year!

Jared is a fun-loving guy.  Though at first sight he appears quiet and reserved, once you get to know him he carries a fun energy. He loves playing the piano and his favorite songs are the ones where he gets to move his fingers quickly.  He also enjoys playing and improvising on the drums. He is usually tapping on something, working with his hands, or running around. 

Jared has a great sense of awareness and loves figuring out how things are put together and how they work. He recently discovered an excitement for electricity and building his own circuits. He created his own night lights with circuit boards, LED lights, resistors, and a battery. He is gaining a love for dancing.  He enjoys jumping around, doing line dances, and even ballroom dancing. Though reading is not his favorite, he loves the book “Mindset” by Carol Dweck and is focused on keeping a growth mindset. 

Jared is a great help at Harmony Arts and Music Academy where he is a valued member of the staff, assisting in Keyboard 1 and office work, and filling in wherever help is needed. Jared’s students know it will be a fun day when they see him. Thank you for being ready to jump in and serve, Jared!

Here at Harmony Arts, we are all about sharing our love of the arts with your children and allowing that love to penetrate into your homes.  Today, I’d like to share with you a fantastic music education resource from a company whose mission is to cultivate a love of music, expand and develop listening skills, and encourage adults and children to listen together.  The company is Maestro Classics.

What is Maestro Classics?

It is a series of 13 different CDs (or mp3s) with accompanying activity booklets.  Some are classic works such as “The Nutcracker”, “Peter and the Wolf”, “The Story of Swan Lake”, and “Carnival of the Animals” (which our Cycles families will recognize hearing excerpts from on their Sun Catchers #2 CD).  Some are classic stories that are set to music, such as “The Tortoise and the Hare”, “Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel”, and “Casey at the Bat”.  And a couple are even all about a specific composer such as “My Name is Handel” and “Bach and the Pipe Organ”.

The program was put together by a conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and his wife after an experience they had with their son at the symphony.  She says, “At that moment, I knew I had a mission: to find a way to bring quality age-appropriate concert experiences to children and their families.”  The information is geared for children and shared in a way that children will enjoy and understand.

Is it just a recording of the music?

No! and this is what I love about it!! The first track is the music with narration.  Then, after you’ve listened to the music and story, the following tracks teach you about the composer or author, the story, and the music you just listened to with musical excerpt examples.  For example, in “Mike Mulligan” the composer shares how he wrote the music, had to decide which instruments to include, and then how he decided to use the bagpipes for Mike’s tune.  He then goes on to teach that there are two different kinds of bagpipes and what the difference is.  He also explains and lets you listen to the different folk tune themes that he added and why. He points out and lets you listen to the part where the French horns and trumpets are pretending to be car horns, or the trombones are pretending to be airplanes.  He says, “Instruments can even imitate people sometimes saying not so nice things.”  After you listen to a short excerpt he says, “That was Henry B. Swat laughing in his rather mean way, played by three trumpets with mutes.”

After all that you’ve learned about the author, composer, and music then you get to listen to the story again.  This time your ear will hear in the music all the things you just learned about and deepen your appreciation for the music. I can tell you as a mother that this is another fun music education resource! My children love listening to these CDs and I love the education I get from them as well.  If you think this might be a good addition to your family, check out their website at www.MaestroClassics.com

We’re excited to introduce you to Ava Stanger, who assists with Personalized Piano Community (PPC) and helps out behind the scenes here at HAMA! It has been such a pleasure to get to know Ava.

Look, it’s Ava’s first piano:

When Ava turned five, she got her first violin.

One of her favorite performances was at the Box Elder County Fair when she was seven. She loves playing fiddle songs as well as classical.

Ava (second from the left) getting ready to perform for the county fair!

Now Ava enjoys guitar, piano, singing, and violin. She especially loves coaching students in music classes. Ava also likes to develop her talents in other ways. She is always on stage whenever possible! She loved being in “Matilda the Musical” at the Ellen Eccles Theatre. Ava also loves to tumble. She has been doing gymnastics since she was four and has loved every second of it!

Lastly, Ava loves to drive! Even though she’s only fourteen, she loves to drive her family’s Ranger on the back roads and can’t wait until she can get a driver’s license!

Ava is beyond delighted to be a part of the HAMA team and she’s excited to continue sharing her love for making music with others who enjoy the same. Ava’s students look forward to seeing her friendly, welcoming smile and hearing her encouragement as they learn music. We’re so pleased to have Ava on our HAMA team – thanks for bringing such a note of positivity into the studio, Ava!

We are so happy to offer a FREE GIFT of Experience Days to our Currently Enrolled Students this year!  Scroll to the bottom to see info on CURRENT Experience Days!

What is an Experience Day?

At Experience Days, students participate in a valuable opportunity that cannot be easily provided as part of the regular class or lesson and gives them a chance to “experience” another instrument or type of class/lesson.  For example:

• An Instrumental student chooses to attend GARAGE BAND so they get the experience of playing with other musicians playing other instruments – just like playing in a band!  
• Your student is expressing an interest in drumming, so they attend DRUM CIRCLE or GARAGE BAND.
• The student just needs a tiny break and switch things up for a week, so they attend PAINT CLASS.

Why Hold Experience Days?

As an arts studio, we believe that a world without the arts is a world without the basic tenets of humanity.  This is why we want to give our students experiences in the arts which will help them develop a strong connection with the arts.  These experiences inform their understanding and develop a deep appreciation for the arts and the good they can work in a life.

When Will Experience Days be held?  See the Current Sept-May Calendar, or SCROLL DOWN.  Experience Days are often scheduled on tricky weeks, when all students would not normally receive a lesson due to a holiday.  This way all of our classes/lessons stay on the same week.  Wait – no regular class on Experience Week?  As mentioned on the Current Sept-May Price Sheet, we based Tuition prices on 28 classes/lessons, held between September 13, 2021 and the end of May 2022.  This is the SAME NUMBER of classes/lessons that we scheduled last year.  This means we have a few weeks over the 28 to utilize in case of a closure or to hold Experience Days!

Where Will Experience Days be held?  At the studio!  Click here for Google Maps directions!

Which ED to Choose?  Your student’s teacher can make a recommendation of which ED will suit your student best, but of course you/your student may choose.  

FREE for Who?  Currently enrolled students may attend ONE Experience Day each week they are offered, for FREE!  (Remember, EDs are not part of the 28 weeks.)  Students who are NOT currently enrolled in an ongoing class or lessons will pay a participation fee of $15.

Bring a Friend!  EDs are open to the General Public, and it’s a great time to Bring a Friend to experience the magic we make together here!  These attendees will enroll from our website, http://www.harmonyarts.net/events/.  These events are NOT free to the General Public, so they will pay upon registration for the event.

PROS of Experience Days:

• Stay in routine and receive a class on a week when regular lessons/classes are not being held.
• Get exposure to other areas of the arts, 
• Experience utilizing existing skills in new ways (like playing in a band),
• Take a little break from the normal content, great way to stay excited!
• They are FUN, so we know you are going to LOVE them! 

To attend an Experience Day:

• Text the studio at 435-239-3059.  State the student’s first and last name, and the ED you choose.  You will get a confirmation text back.  
• If you sign up in the portal it will charge you, so don’t do that!
• Note:  General public will sign up on our website, http://www.harmonyarts.net/events/ and pay a reasonable fee.  Feel free to share this link with friends!  Ask them to mention you when they register!  They are also welcome to text/call the studio and we can handle the logistics!

Come have an enchanting Experience Day with us!

Upcoming Experience Days…

Rhythm Rockstars – Tuesday, February 22, 3:30-4:45

To Register – Currently enrolled student – TEXT or CALL 435-239-3059, include student full name and the ED they wish to attend.  You will get a text confirmation.

To Register – NOT currently enrolled, click here and click over to the correct month.

RHYTHM ROCKSTARS is for everyone in your family. Drum together on an authentic African djembe and have fun improving rhythm skills and focus. Enjoy rhythm, cooperation and ensemble skills with a group of friends. Explore different styles, improvise, and build coordination. Enjoy drumming with a community of drummers! This experience is fantastic for all musicians because it helps develop rhythm, which is essential to learning music. Also, drumming is a great outlet for anxious or wiggly kids. You might be surprised at how much fun it is, and how great it will make you feel! Great for kids or attend as a FAMILY! WHAT TO BRING:  No materials needed.  Please bring a friend – have them register! 

Singing Experience – Tuesday, February 22, 5:00-6:15

To Register – Currently enrolled student – TEXT or CALL 435-239-3059, include student full name and the ED they wish to attend.  You will get a text confirmation.

To Register – NOT currently enrolled, click here and click over to the correct month.

Singing heals the heart and feeds the soul.  What other activity can you do that involves your whole being from the inside out?  Discover new elements in your own voice and come together to create something wonderful!  Immersed in singing songs everyone loves, participants will leave singing tunes that can brighten anyone’s day.  Come have an enchanting singing experience with us!  WHAT TO BRING:  A binder and a pencil.  Please bring a friend – have them register!  Currently enrolled students bring usual lesson materials.

Painting Experience – Thursday, February 24, 3:30-4:45, or, 5:00-6:15pm

3:30 Class is “Owl Love” and 5:00 class is “Bug Love” (pictured below)

To Register – Currently enrolled student – simply TEXT or CALL 435-239-3059, include student full name and the ED they wish to attend.  You will get a text confirmation.

To Register – NOT currently enrolled, click here and click over to the correct month.

Ever want to try out Painting?  Join us for a PAINT EXPERIENCE!  Explore the world of painting in an inclusive and encouraging environment where everyone finds success!  Mixing colors, experimenting with different brushes and strokes, discovering the magical factors of light and paint a creation you never dreamed you could create!  Enjoy an enchanting paint experience with friends!  WHAT TO BRING:  No materials needed.  Please bring a friend – have them register!  Currently enrolled students bring usual lesson materials.

Garage Band Experience -Thursday, February 24, 4:00-5:15 pm

To Register – Currently enrolled student – TEXT or CALL 435-239-3059, include student full name and the ED they wish to attend.  You will get a text confirmation.

To Register – NOT currently enrolled, click here and click over to the correct month.

Who doesn’t want to start their own Garage Band?  We’ve done the hard part for you – just come and join in!  Come as an experienced musician, or someone just wanting to participate in simple ways.  Bring your own instrument, or try out some of ours:  drum set, djembe, ukulele, guitar, piano, vocals and more!  Simple percussion parts on a variety of instruments and objects for those with less experience.  By the time class ends, you’ll be playing in a band that sounds amazing, and having so much fun you won’t want to go home!  Come and jam with us!  WHAT TO BRING:  Your instrument if you have one and it’s portable, a binder, a pencil.  Please bring a friend – have them register!  Currently enrolled students bring usual lesson materials.

Musikgarten Littles Experience – Monday, April 11, 10:00-10:45 am

To Register – Currently enrolled student – TEXT or CALL 435-239-3059, include student full name and the ED they wish to attend.  You will get a text confirmation.

To Register – NOT currently enrolled, click here and click over to the correct month.

This MUSIKGARTEN EXPERIENCE is for little ones, 12 months to 5 years and their grown up. Watch your dear one glow with pleasure as they discover new instruments and sounds, move their body to enriching music, use their voice in new and exciting ways, and bond with you in new, musically nurturing ways. Come and experience what our families love most about our program. “I love the feeling you get while you are there. It’s definitely very inclusive. You are a part of a group, part of the family.” (AFirth) WHAT TO BRING:  No materials needed.  Please bring a friend – have them register! 

Musikgarten Early Piano Experience –  Friday, April 29, 3:30-4:45 pm

To Register – Currently enrolled student – TEXT or CALL 435-239-3059, include student full name and the ED they wish to attend.  You will get a text confirmation.

To Register – NOT currently enrolled, click here and click over to the correct month.

MUSIKGARTEN EARLY PIANO EXPERIENCE is for children ages 5-7 with the parent joining for the final 15 minutes. Your beginning pianist will laugh, sing, play, read and write music with ease in ways that will delight them as well as feel authentic and meaningful. Learning to play piano and staying engaged involves connection in a “peaceful, loving and calm environment” (NCrookston). Your child will love it here, and so will you! WHAT TO BRING:  No materials needed.  Please bring a friend – have them register! 

Hi! My name is Jacob Kropf, and I am a drum and ukulele instructor at Harmony Arts. I was born in Colorado Springs and raised in Bothwell (a.k.a. West Tremonton).

At a young age, I was enrolled in piano lessons. As I learned how to play, my interest in the piano faded, and I decided I had to try something else. I next tried learning the guitar, and absolutely loved it! But just like the piano, I just didn’t really feel like the guitar was the instrument for me.

When I made it to sixth grade at Harris Intermediate School in Tremonton, I took the beginning band class where I found out what I liked to play: the drums! As soon as I started playing the drums, I fell in love! I started with just the basic percussion instruments, but soon expanded till I learned how to play on a drum kit. I would practice for hours on end with my headphones in, playing along to my favorite songs. (Luckily I have some really nice neighbors!)

When I was in eighth grade, I decided I wanted to play in the high school’s jazz band. I kept practicing as much as I could, and when auditions rolled around, I made it! I started playing in the Bear River High School jazz band when I entered my freshman year. At the same time, I also started marching band! I started out just playing the crash cymbals, and then moved to the snare drum, and finally the quads. I played drums at Bear River for my entire high school career.

Also during that time, I worked as a drum instructor for Harmony Arts and Music Academy. After I graduated from high school, I kept playing the drums, but didn’t get the chance to perform for a while. In October of 2020, I found out about the Nauvoo Performing Mission! It is a three to six month service mission where young adult members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints can go share the light of the gospel through performance. I auditioned for a spot as the drummer for the Nauvoo Brass Band, and in May of 2021 I left home to serve in Nauvoo, Illinois. For six months, I served alongside some of the best missionaries and musicians I have ever met. While there I played the drums every day, and learned a lot about the drums.

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I returned home in October of 2021, and have since returned to Harmony Arts and Music Academy to share my love and knowledge of the drums! Now I am going to Utah State University, studying Mechanical Engineering. I love to read, work on cars, go outside, draw, and play music with my friends!

Jacob’s drum students love to learn from him – he brings an excitement and passion for drumming that is contagious! This is a great time to get to know Jacob, at the Rhythm Rockstars and Garage Band Experience Days on Feb. 22-24. Also, Jacob currently has a few openings left for private drum and ukulele lessons! Come and join in!

We’re excited to introduce Denise King, who teaches in Musikgarten Keyboard and Private Piano lessons. When Denise was a small child, shortly after starting Kindergarten, her mother began teaching her how to play the piano.  She can still remember, over 20 years later, the first duet she ever played with her mom.  What started as a simple black key duet would turn into a musical journey that would span decades and cultures. 

A few years after her mom started teaching her, Denise had the opportunity to take lessons from Sylvia Hunt, a master teacher living in Caldwell Idaho. 

Sylvia was deeply involved in the College of Idaho and her passion for music was contagious.  Her recitals were held in either the grand college auditorium or in the beautiful Presbyterian Church where Sylvia was the Organist.  Every Monday when Denise went to lessons, she would pass a fence that had a dozen brass instruments attached to it.  She passed that fence for over a decade and it became a symbol of Mrs. Hunt’s legacy. 

In High School, Denise met another powerful musical mentor.  Her freshman year of high school was the year Dan Child took over the choir department.  Over her four years of high school, he transformed the program and Denise was able to participate in multiple choirs, both as a singer and an accompanist. 

Denise in a Choir Solo, Scarborough Fair

The music, the relationships with her fellow classmates, and the belief that Mr. Child showed in each individual stayed with her.  He taught Denise that it wasn’t about using kids to make beautiful music — it was about using music to make beautiful kids.  The power of a teacher with that kind of belief in every student creates a legacy that is impacting the world.  At every Christmas concert at Middleton High, they sing the Hallelujah Chorus and every past member of the choirs is invited to come on stage to sing.  That number started as 24 singers a decade ago and now their chorus is hundreds strong and growing. 

With these two inspirational mentors having pushed her forward, Denise enrolled in the Elementary Education Program at Brigham Young University.  She was passionate about teaching, and desired to inspire people they way her teachers had inspired her. 

In her second year, she had an unexpected opportunity to serve as a missionary.  She chose to defer and was sent to Guatemala for 6 weeks of training before serving in Panama for another year and a half. 

Learning to speak a second language was one of the most humbling experiences of her life.  Her time in Panama would build friendships with people across the globe and teach the value of every person’s identity and purpose in life, no matter their circumstances.

Denise’s mission affected her attitude and choices upon returning to school.  BYU-Idaho tuition costs are largely covered by the tithing of church members.  She had spent a year and a half with people who gave to God despite their poverty and would never be able to attend a university.  She felt the responsibility of their contributions and vowed to make the best use of the opportunities given. 

As Denise pursued her degree in Education, she chose to minor in Teaching English as a Second Language.  These classes were instrumental in making decisions to maintain her Spanish and decide to pass that language on to her children someday.  She was able to work in the kindergarten Dual Immersion Program in a surrounding school as a long-term substitute during her semester off and see all of these principles in practice.  She also had the opportunity to take piano lessons at the collegiate level and study piano pedagogy (the study of how to teach piano playing).  These classes filled her with a hunger to surround herself with people who were passionate about piano and to pursue her own musical abilities. 

Denise met Cameron King near the end of her junior year.  His background — being one of seven brothers and raised on a farm — was pretty much her dream come true.  They married during their senior year, and after both of their graduations, they moved to Heyburn, Idaho, where Cameron worked as an Engineer for 11 months. In that time, they managed to fulfill another of her dreams and they both participated in a local production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. 

Since moving to Utah, Denise has continued to seek musical mentors as well as involve herself in the arts. She has taught piano lessons to several students, taken voice lessons, joined Bear River Reflections Women’s Choir and accompanied church choirs. 

She has learned many traditional songs in Spanish to sing with her children, and has loved watching her son and daughter find joy in music.  

In the summer of 2021, Denise sought out Nan Croney to mentor her through a 13-page piano recital suite of The Lion King.  Nan invited her to enroll her young kids in the Musikgarten program, and within the first two classes, Denise was hooked on the mission and results of Harmony Arts.   Denise then sought for the opportunities to become involved to further her own training, and to offer her children the musical opportunities that would benefit them for life.  

She ponders often on the wisdom of her previous mentors, and how music had touched her life in such a beautiful way.  When she became involved at Harmony Arts, she found multiple mentors who exemplified what she most loved about music.

Denise wants to always remember that music has the power to transform our lives into beautiful experiences and keep that legacy alive for generations to come! We’re so glad to have Denise here at Harmony Arts and Music Academy. Thank you for your enthusiasm and caring attention to all of our students — we are all better because you are here!

Ashley Ruth Tolman was born during the middle of the Whittier Earthquake in Los Angeles, announcing to the world that she would from that time forth love to “make an entrance.”  

Raised in beautiful Brigham City, Ashley spent much of her childhood swimming, playing basketball, camping with her family, and singing.  Her parents joke that she could sing before she could speak, and has been making a joyful noise ever since that happy discovery!  

Ashley’s first solo was at a church function when she was three years old.  Even today, nothing brings her as much joy as singing praises to God!  Later, she learned that she liked to make music at school with Marilyn Stewart at Foothill Elementary.  Ashley took piano lessons, and found she especially liked the music of George Gershwin– a love passed down to her from her father.  

Family singing time in the Tolman house usually involved her father playing the piano and her mother singing, with Ashley and her brothers banging pots and pans together.  Music was always a large part of home life!  From harmonizing in the car on road trips, to making up songs while kayaking together on a lake, Ashley was taught from an early age the joy that comes from making music with people you love!

After graduating Box Elder High School, Ashley attended Utah State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Opera Performance.  Her mentors at USU include Craig Jessop and Alan Matthews.  One of her most life-directing experiences at USU centered around her time in the choir at the Institute of Religion.  There, she learned the importance of hard work, collaboration, and many spiritual aspects of music.  Ashley often says that being part of Institute Choir was “the best mission-prep” she ever had, and is grateful for the musical experiences she had as a missionary.

Shortly after serving a mission, Ashley was very fortunate to win an international romantic music competition, and performed her first solo in Carnegie Hall in NYC.  This blessing inspired her to live in NYC full-time.  Ashley LOVED living in NYC with all of her heart!  From singing in bars, to auditioning, to performing in musicals and choirs, Ashley enjoyed the learning opportunity of being associated with many incredible performers from all around the world.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ashley lost her jobs in two different musicals in NYC, and returned to Utah.  The greatest blessing of this time of transition was the day Ashley met her husband, Brad.  Brad and Ashley live in Bear River and are working on remodeling an old pioneer house together!  They love singing primary songs with their two little boys each night, riding bikes, and being outside.  

Ashley is thrilled to be part of HAMA, and feels honored to be learning with the incredible teachers and musicians here! And we are equally thrilled and honored to have Ashley as part of HAMA. Her infectious excitement and positivity inspire everyone around her. Watch for more fun classes and experiences coming up with Ashley! 

One of the real blessings of learning and being able to play an instrument is the joy you can bring into this world and into the lives of people around you.  New this year to Harmony Arts are Service Performance Opportunities, optional opportunities provided for our students to share what they’ve learned and bring joy to the residence of the Our House Assisted Living Center.  I know as a mother that I love to hear the music of my children playing the piano—even their beginning learning sounds.  I love the spirit it adds to our home when a visitor plays something they know on the piano.  And there are many times I have been touched and inspired by the music that has been shared formally or informally.  These service performances are an opportunity for our children to share with, touch, and bring joy to the lives of people outside of their home and typical interactions and to people who don’t get to enjoy our children’s music as often as we do.

There are so many benefits that come from participating in these Service Performances.  Not only is it an opportunity for our children to serve by giving of themselves, bringing joy and touching the life of someone else.  It’s an opportunity for them to share what they have been working on and learning.  It gives purpose to practicing for our children to have music that will be shared with someone outside their home.  Also, it can be so exciting for them to pick something they love playing and then prepare it for a performance.   

Speaking of performing being exciting, that isn’t necessarily the experience our children have when they get up to share their piece, which brings up another benefit of participating in these service performances:  Performing. And: performing in a friendly, safe, low-key environment.  To most people, having all eyes and ears on you feels scary.  When we encourage our children to share of themselves in small, safe settings, it builds their confidence to be able to share in larger settings.  My mom was always having me informally perform for family members (grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles) who stopped by to visit.  In the Keyboard classes, our students get little mini opportunities to informally perform periodically for their classmates and parents.  These Harmony Arts Service Performances may be the right next step in building your child’s confidence in performing, as well as an opportunity for your child to serve and share love through their heart this holiday season. 

Here are the details for our first opportunity this year:

Who: Any Private, PPC, or Musikgarten Keyboard Student–sign up with your teacher.

What:  Play anything you have ready that your teacher has approved.

Where: Our House Assisted Living Center

429 N. 400 W. Tremonton

Come dressed your best.

When: November 22, 4:30-6:30 pm (open-house style)

In order to keep numbers down, performers should arrive 10 minutes before their scheduled performance time, wearing a mask that may be removed during their performance.

You and your child are probably getting well established into the rhythm of lessons and the routine of practicing.  It’s always so exciting to start learning a new instrument, but here at Harmony Arts we also know that at some point during this year the musical journey for your family will get rocky.  As a student of music for 35+ years, a mother of 3 current piano musicians with 3 more following, and a current piano teacher, I have personal experience and suggestions on how to make it through the rocky times.   

Let me first start by showing you this chart:

Status	Confidence	Ability	Energy
New Student	High (unrealistic confidence) Really soon I am going to be able to play amazing!	Low	High Lots of excitement!
Beginner Student	Low I can’t do this.	Low This is a lot harder than I thought it would be.	Low This is not fun!
Intermediate Student	Medium I can do this.	Medium There is still so much I don’t know.	Medium What I do know is fun.
Veteran Student	Higher (Not as unrealistically high as initially) I know what I am doing.	High	High Solid  Will keep going

At the beginning of this year, your child was a new student with abundant excitement and confidence.  However, as we move through the year the challenge of learning a new skill will set in.  It can be hard to learn something new, it’s not always fun to do things that are hard, and that’s when our children resist practicing and want to quit.  As parents trying to do what is best for our children, there are so many different ways that we handle these situations that often result in either damaging the relationship or in quitting the instrument.   So, let me add one more column to the previous chart and offer some suggestions based on my experience to help you navigate the challenging time.

Status	Confidence	Ability	Energy	How to Help
New Student	High (unrealistic confidence) Really soon I am going to be able to play amazing!	Low	High Lots of excitement!	This is when you explore the dreams with your child and set up the practicing plan.
Beginner Student	Low I can’t do this.	Low This is a lot harder than I thought it would be.	Low This is not fun!	This is when your child wants to quit. See tips below.
Intermediate Student	Medium I can do this.	Medium There is still so much I don’t know.	Medium What I do know is fun.	Help your child gain confidence from what they have learned and their ability to learn.
Veteran Student	Higher (Not as unrealistically high as initially) I know what I am doing.	High	High Solid  Will keep going	Suggest trying a new step, setting a little bit higher goal or standard.

My biggest tip is to slow down!  Sometimes we think that we should just push through the challenge, but my experience is that it causes so much damage, hurt and heartache that the healing takes much longer.  So, right when you start to notice the challenge, slow down.  The sooner you do, the quicker the recovery.

  

Here are some ideas: 

• Try shorter practice times, perhaps practicing for the number of minutes of the child’s age or age +2.  I even think it’s okay to have a five-minute practice—it’s better to do something than nothing and your child will still make progress in consistent 5-minute practice sessions, but consistency is key in this one. 
• It could look like doing more of the fun things and less of the hard things. Maybe start with something on the assignment that is easy and fun, do something tricky for a few minutes and finish with another favorite part of the assignment.   
• Work with your teacher on this one, but maybe the assignment can be altered to be just one, two, or three things until the enjoyment starts to pick up.
• Consider adding an element of fun such as a chocolate chip for each step on the assignment that is completed.  Sometimes in class we have a jar to fill with gems or puff balls that, when filled, results in a class party.  You can do this at home with a smaller jar that fills quickly (every week or two) and small prizes that are meaningful to your child.    “Practice Fairies” is another idea we share in class.  Ask about this one if you haven’t heard about it.
• Right after your lesson do the hardest part of the assignment one time.  You’ll find the hard things to be easier the rest of the week.  If you can’t get to it right after the lesson then do it first the next day when you practice. It might be the only thing you do the next day for practice, but it will be much easier the whole rest of the week.

An additional tip is to “do it with your child”.  This can be very intimidating if you don’t know the instrument your child is learning, however, sitting with your child sends the message, “I’m on your team.” And can give the support needed to keep going.  Also, your teacher will be able to show you how you can help and explain things in ways that you and your child understand.  Teachers love to help.  We are on your team too!

Most of all, remember that all children learn differently.  The path from point A to point B for some is very streamlined, straight, and quick.  For others, the path is a winding road that is slower and more scenic.  The pace or ability may not be the same as a sibling’s or as the next child’s in class, but we must remember what our child’s dream is and that it is not the same as any other child and that’s okay. Choose to enjoy the musical journey your child is on.  Stay calm.  Be your child’s supporting cheerleader.  Stay positive.  Celebrate the successes and abilities. And remind yourself and your child, “We’ve got this!” “We can do it!”