Dear Parents,
With the beginning of a new school year, I welcome you back to the world of piano music! My aim is to teach students the skills needed to express themselves musically with excellence. I will give both short and long-term goals which will allow both them and you to recognize improvement and progress. I’ve identified several suggestions that will help ensure a successful piano experience for your child this year.
Periodic performance classes are scheduled throughout the year for group teaching, providing opportunities for students to perform for their peers and encourage and learn from one another. Information regarding performance class dates, updates as well as other information that might be of help to you can be found on my website: www.napervillepianoteacher.com. . I hope this information will keep you informed and make your active life a little easier. I will also include performance class information in monthly statements.
Choose a regular time for your child to practice each day. If practicing becomes a daily routine, performance will improve, providing even more enjoyment as well as incentive to play! Practicing should be done six days per week for a minimum of 30 minutes each day. Dividing practice time into two or three segments for younger students is often helpful.
Encourage “deliberate” practicing over “putting in time.”
Make sure your child practices the entire assignment each day as recorded in the assignment book. Written assignments should be completed well in advance of the next lesson (not in the car on the way to the lesson).
Please take time to listen to your child’s lesson each week. Students often enjoy performing if they have an audience!
When was the last time you had your piano tuned? No one enjoys playing an instrument that is out of tune, and Fall is a good time to have it done. For suggestions regarding competent piano technicians, feel free to contact me.
Please note these parking directions. We’ve had problems with mail not being delivered to our home or the neighbors occasionally when cars block the mailboxes. If you use your car to pick up or drop off your child, or if you park here during the lesson, please use the driveway of our house, or, as an alternative, park around the center circle of the cul-de-sac (closest to the street light in the center of the street). Please avoid parking or waiting on the curb closest to the homes in the circle. Please let me know if this is unclear or poses difficulty.
For those planning ahead, the spring piano recital is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to teach your child. It is a responsibility I take seriously, and I will do my best to provide an environment conducive to growth and development.
Sincerely,
Mary Beth Butler