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Whether starting lessons for the first time, or changing teachers, many families have questions about brain-friendly music lessons. Please read these questions and answers BEFORE your initial meeting with me, so you have all the information you need about what to expect. I want our phone call to be focused on you and your musical goals for your family!
Interview with Elisabeth:
How Long Have You been Teaching Music, and Who are your most successful students?
I have been teaching music to children as a vocalist since I was eleven years old ... this means I have 29 years of experience working with children as a musician! Since 2011, I have specialized in teaching piano, voice and musicianship to young people with exceptional gifts & talents, and children with neurological differences.
My most successful students have steady moral support at home, encouragement to try new things and do their best. They know that they are loved for who they are, and therefore anything they achieve is celebrated as a result of their hard work.
My most successful students have steady moral support at home, encouragement to try new things and do their best. They know that they are loved for who they are, and therefore anything they achieve is celebrated as a result of their hard work.
What if my family has never taken music lessons before?
Because my brain-friendly approach is a little different from the usual achievement-first mindset, it can actually be very helpful to have Elisabeth as your family's first music teacher. My work will instill a love of music in you and your children, and will set your family up to celebrate your child's achievements as results of their sincere effort.
If you have had music lessons in the past and are coming to me for a different experience, I can help you develop an appreciation for your child's unique strengths and learning preferences that may be beyond the grasp of other teachers you may have worked with.
If you have had music lessons in the past and are coming to me for a different experience, I can help you develop an appreciation for your child's unique strengths and learning preferences that may be beyond the grasp of other teachers you may have worked with.
How did you learn to play piano? Who have been your mentors as a teacher?
With the gracious support of my mother and grandparents, my piano lessons began when I was six and a half years old. I loved playing piano, but found reading music to be a challenge. After 15 years of study, I developed a unique multi-sensory method that layers the concepts of music literacy in a brain-friendly and enjoyable way.
The adaptive method I use was pioneered by Music Therapist Susan Rancer in Oakland, CA. You can read more about her work here.
Throughout my lessons, I use brain-integration tools developed by the founders of Brain Gym and Rhythmic Movement Training International (RMTi). Developed around the latest brain science, these methods support learning as they boost overall health and well-being.
The adaptive method I use was pioneered by Music Therapist Susan Rancer in Oakland, CA. You can read more about her work here.
Throughout my lessons, I use brain-integration tools developed by the founders of Brain Gym and Rhythmic Movement Training International (RMTi). Developed around the latest brain science, these methods support learning as they boost overall health and well-being.
What sets you apart as an adaptive music teacher? Are you a music therapist?
I grew up in a family full of professional musicians and a music critic! I am well-acquainted with pressure to achieve in music. After seeing the dampening effects chronic pressure to achieve had on my self-esteem, I decided to dedicate my career to creating self love in my students, by teaching them to play music for its own sake.
My sessions are each adapted to the individual student, designed to point out and develop strengths, while building complementary skills in areas of lesser confidence. In our time together, my students become creative problem-solvers, active listeners, and masters of their own emotions. After each customized session with me, students of all ages feel calmer, more cheerful and more ready to continue with their day.
I am not a registered Music Therapist, as my academic degree is not clinical, but rather a Master's degree in Music performance and research. However, my students and their parents find our time together highly therapeutic!
My sessions are each adapted to the individual student, designed to point out and develop strengths, while building complementary skills in areas of lesser confidence. In our time together, my students become creative problem-solvers, active listeners, and masters of their own emotions. After each customized session with me, students of all ages feel calmer, more cheerful and more ready to continue with their day.
I am not a registered Music Therapist, as my academic degree is not clinical, but rather a Master's degree in Music performance and research. However, my students and their parents find our time together highly therapeutic!
What is your goal when working with a student?
Although many piano teachers look to train their students mainly to demonstrate their skills to others, my aim is completely different.
My music lessons build confidence, develop motor and cognitive skills, as well as emotional literacy and intelligence.
Time at the piano with me strengthens pattern recognition and motor skills, and develops the skills students need to succeed in core subjects like math and language arts.
When my students share music with their parents, siblings and friends, it also helps to strengthen the social bonds that sustain them throughout the stresses of everyday life.
My music lessons build confidence, develop motor and cognitive skills, as well as emotional literacy and intelligence.
Time at the piano with me strengthens pattern recognition and motor skills, and develops the skills students need to succeed in core subjects like math and language arts.
When my students share music with their parents, siblings and friends, it also helps to strengthen the social bonds that sustain them throughout the stresses of everyday life.
How long will it take for my child to play music by themselves?
Every student progresses at a different rate. However, most students, when starting with no formal music training, learn to read basic music notes within six months. Within the first year, they can play with both hands, each hand playing a different musical line, or they may have begun to compose their own music.
Within two years, a child generally gains mastery of the two most common musical keys or scales, as well as common musical rhythms. At this point they also begin to understand broader concepts of musical theory and can apply them to the pieces they sing or play.
Again, my music studio is all about learning. We make the most of each session by building your child's unique strengths and adding confidence in areas of lesser ease.
Playing the piano requires that a student use eyes, ears, and hands in five dimensions: left and right, up and down, and through the steady passage of time (in rhythm). I work gradually with each student to progress through greater and greater mastery of the instrument.
Although there is usually a long wait at the beginning for the first independent skills to emerge, at a certain point, learning begins to happen more quickly, and you may be delighted at the new pieces and skills your child begins to learn at a quick pace.
Within two years, a child generally gains mastery of the two most common musical keys or scales, as well as common musical rhythms. At this point they also begin to understand broader concepts of musical theory and can apply them to the pieces they sing or play.
Again, my music studio is all about learning. We make the most of each session by building your child's unique strengths and adding confidence in areas of lesser ease.
Playing the piano requires that a student use eyes, ears, and hands in five dimensions: left and right, up and down, and through the steady passage of time (in rhythm). I work gradually with each student to progress through greater and greater mastery of the instrument.
Although there is usually a long wait at the beginning for the first independent skills to emerge, at a certain point, learning begins to happen more quickly, and you may be delighted at the new pieces and skills your child begins to learn at a quick pace.
How can I help my child succeed in music?
To speed up your child's progress, I recommend sharing music with them. My students whose parents are actively involved in their home play (practice between lessons), progress much faster than my students whose parents take a more hands-off approach. Even if you have never had music lessons yourself, I recommend that you take a bit of time to look at your child's music textbooks and to create a regular practice schedule for your child at home (following the specific guidelines I offer for duration or repetitions). Have a reward that your child can expect when s/he does their weekly practice ... my recommendation? Extra quality time with you!
Elisabeth offers full-service music programs to create self-confidence and musicality in your child's mind, body and spirit. Programs come in a variety of lesson durations and frequencies, and there is one to fit just about every family's needs and desired investment levels. Talk to Elisabeth during your initial interview to sign up for the program that is right for you.
What if I do not have a piano?
It is not necessary to have a piano at home in order to make lessons worth your investment. Your child will make steady progress in piano whether or not they are reviewing material at home. This is especially true during the first few months of lessons, and for young children!
However, it is always helpful to have a keyboard instrument at home. If you do have a piano, that's wonderful.
Most portable keyboards have colorful effects buttons that can take attention away from the piano keys. One way to work around this is to cover the effects keys with a piece of paper or cloth. Tape it down if you like, and reward your child with positive attention when they play the black and white piano keys.
If you would like to purchase a keyboard for use at home, I recommend this Casio model at Guitar Center. This keyboard has "weighted" keys which means they feel like actual piano keys. It also has very few effects buttons. It's a heavy instrument, and an investment, but its design will make it easy for your child to focus on music and enjoy it. If you have questions on other keyboard options, I would be happy to answer them. Just send me a message!
However, it is always helpful to have a keyboard instrument at home. If you do have a piano, that's wonderful.
Most portable keyboards have colorful effects buttons that can take attention away from the piano keys. One way to work around this is to cover the effects keys with a piece of paper or cloth. Tape it down if you like, and reward your child with positive attention when they play the black and white piano keys.
If you would like to purchase a keyboard for use at home, I recommend this Casio model at Guitar Center. This keyboard has "weighted" keys which means they feel like actual piano keys. It also has very few effects buttons. It's a heavy instrument, and an investment, but its design will make it easy for your child to focus on music and enjoy it. If you have questions on other keyboard options, I would be happy to answer them. Just send me a message!
If I don't have a piano, how can I prepare my child for lessons?
There are plenty of non-piano activities that will help your child's musical skills. Here are three simple things to get you started:
>> Move, Move Move!
Brain-friendly movement is done at a comfortable pace (without too much stress such as in a race or a competitive game). The best examples of this are yoga, rhythmic movements and swimming. Have your child engage in as much fun, creative movement as possible, including imaginary play and dance. All of these movements will help to strengthen the brain connections required to play piano with ease.
>> Get Your Hands Dirty
Have your child play with dough, mud, sand, dry beans, rice, water beads, shaving cream or anything else that is pleasing to your child's touch. Theraputty is a great portable tool to support hand strength and motor development.
>> Listen to Music!
Any kind of music that your child likes will help them to build the auditory skills they need to recognize the sounds they play at the piano. Classical music has been shown to boost brain performance, and I also recommend jazz and latin music, as these often feature the piano prominently.
>> Move, Move Move!
Brain-friendly movement is done at a comfortable pace (without too much stress such as in a race or a competitive game). The best examples of this are yoga, rhythmic movements and swimming. Have your child engage in as much fun, creative movement as possible, including imaginary play and dance. All of these movements will help to strengthen the brain connections required to play piano with ease.
>> Get Your Hands Dirty
Have your child play with dough, mud, sand, dry beans, rice, water beads, shaving cream or anything else that is pleasing to your child's touch. Theraputty is a great portable tool to support hand strength and motor development.
>> Listen to Music!
Any kind of music that your child likes will help them to build the auditory skills they need to recognize the sounds they play at the piano. Classical music has been shown to boost brain performance, and I also recommend jazz and latin music, as these often feature the piano prominently.
Ok. I am ready to talk about lessons. What is the next step?
Send me an email to set up your phone visit. Please block out 30 minutes for this interview, although our call should take no more than 20 minutes. In preparation for this call, I invite you to think about this: within a year from now, when we enroll your family in music, what are the changes you would like to see your child or children?
What about billing and scheduling?
I offer lessons in introductory and long-term bundles, to support your child's steady progress. Set up a phone visit to discuss which option would be best for you.
Lessons are scheduled at a regular weekly time. I make every effort to keep each appointment I make with students. In the event of travel out of town or other events, I give as much notice as possible. Parents are NOT liable to pay for lessons cancelled by me.
However, there is a 24-hour cancellation policy, wherein I do request full payment for lessons cancelled by parents or NSA teachers fewer than 24 hours in advance. In case of sickness and family emergencies, I often choose to make exceptions to this policy. Clients have found me to be reasonable in this regard.
Lessons are scheduled at a regular weekly time. I make every effort to keep each appointment I make with students. In the event of travel out of town or other events, I give as much notice as possible. Parents are NOT liable to pay for lessons cancelled by me.
However, there is a 24-hour cancellation policy, wherein I do request full payment for lessons cancelled by parents or NSA teachers fewer than 24 hours in advance. In case of sickness and family emergencies, I often choose to make exceptions to this policy. Clients have found me to be reasonable in this regard.
