Sara Rasmussen's Piano Studio

Monday, May 4, 2020 by Sara Rasmussen | Uncategorized

Dear Piano Parents and Students,

It's May!! Yippee! We are wrapping up this season of piano lessons and are ready to hit the pool (still thinking positive for summer plans!) I wanted to touch base with you regarding a few things, so that we are ready to end this month and move into our summer months.

VIRTUAL RECITAL:

I am really getting excited to experience this new and creative way of doing recitals via technology. There are quite a few of these "virtual" recitals happening all around the world right now, due to the social distancing. I hope that each of you are excited to have this opportunity and will help make it a great experience for your students. PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL PERFORMANCE VIDEOS ARE SENT TO ME BY WEDNESDAY, MAY 13!! 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Friday, May 22 @ 7 p.m. is when our YouTube Premiere will air. I will send out the link that day, so be watching your inboxes for that information. Don't forget that I will be putting together a recital viewing goodie basket for each family! You will be able to pick those up on Wednesday, May 20- Friday, May 22. 

END OF YEAR CLEAN UP:

I have several students that are either graduating or not planning on continuing with me. If this is the case, please go through all your music at home and return to Sara NO LATER THAN Friday, May 22. I will have a bin on my front porch where you can put those books or sheet music. There will be no more lessons after Friday, May 22. 

SUMMER LESSONS:

Earlier this year, I let you all know that I was planning on teaching for most of the summer. I sent out a google form that you could sign up, but did not get any feedback. I want to let you know that I am still planning on teaching summer lessons at no additional cost, if you are interested. These lessons will be moved to the morning times--so that everyone involved can go have fun the rest of the day. Here's the link to sign up-- Piano Summer Schedule Sign Up

FALL PIANO LESSONS:

As most of you know, I begin my fall piano schedule registration the end of July. Please be on the lookout for that the end of July, so we can get you on the schedule before the crazy school schedules begin! I give my existing students first choice of time/days, then I open it up to my waiting list and any other leads. 

I hope you all have a great rest of the school year, and we will be excited to get back to normal lessons through the summer and in the fall! Let me know if you have any questions! 

Sara

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Monday, August 12, 2019 by Sara Rasmussen | Uncategorized

  As I get older, the more sad I get to see summer leave so quickly. I'm sure you all feel the same way. Just as all of you, I enjoy spending my summer with no schedule and no commitments--unless I want to make them! Every year I get to spend time with my own kiddos and make those fun outdoor memories and it just goes by so fast, I get a little sad when it's time to buckle down and begin the new commitments of the new school year. But...it also makes me excited, because a new school year means so many new things to do and learn. So, its a bittersweet time. 

Looking forward to the fun and exciting new school year, also means we get to begin a whole new season of piano lessons. I enjoy spending some of my summer learning and conjuring up new exciting ways of teaching and enhancing my own studio. This year has been no exception! 

Lessons will remain the same as we try to continue to progress through our method books with learning new concepts and terms and helpful tips to become better performers. We will also be bringing in more technology to the studio. My younger students will enjoy playing online note reading and rhythm games, while my more seasoned students will have the opportunity to dabble in composition. 

I have some great things planned for our recitals this year-- one of which I hope my parents will enjoy and appreciate. We are not holding a Christmas/Holiday recital this year. Due to the busy time that the holidays bring, I have decided to not add to the stress of my piano families and we will be holding a themed recital on November 1. Because it is right after Halloween, it will be popular/movie/disney music theme!! More details will be coming as we get closer to this date! I am so excited about this!!

Lastly, I am trying something completely new this year, and I hope I will have the support from all my piano families. I am holding group theory classes every other month. I have broken my students down by progress into groups and they will be able to come and learn more in depth theory concepts, by playing group games and learning together with students that are at their same level. In the past I have done this with much success, and I am hoping for the same awesome results this year. 

So, as we wrap up our last events of the summer, I hope you all are as excited as I am for the new season of lessons to begin. Thanks for always being awesome students and families to work with! I love what I do and wouldn't want things any other way!

See you soon!

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Wednesday, August 22, 2018 by Sara Rasmussen | Uncategorized

Welcome back, students!

It's always a bitter-sweet time in the fall, when we are sad to see the summer go; but also happy to have a routine. At least that is how we are feeling at my house this week. I hope all my existing students are excited to get back to their lessons--I know I am excited to see you all and hear all the fun things you did over your summer. To my new students- I hope you are excited to begin this journey with me and are ready to work hard and have fun!

It's been a tradition with me (or maybe just my personality) over the years that I don't like to keep my piano studio stagnant. Each year I try to incorporate something new, whether it be new music, new games, new sticker, new goals, whatever it is. I believe that a good teacher, especially piano teacher, never quits learning and applying new things. So, this year is no different.

The first new thing in our studio this year, is a quarterly group theory class. Theory is the biggest asset any musician has. It is what joins all the instruments together. So, in order for me to properly train my musicians to someday spread their wings to any other instrument, theory needs to be a priority. So, we will be starting at the basics this year, so to some it might be a severe review, but to others it might be a great push to finally iron out some kinks in their progression. We will play games, compose music, and learn together- each student being able to shine and learn at the same time. I hope you will all take these opportunities to jump in to our theory classes. 

Second, as a music teacher, there are many avenues out there to help my studio and my students become the best they can be. Federation is one of those programs. This program is through the Utah Federation of Music Clubs. I have decided to jump in and see where this can take my students this year. More information will come to explain this program more. 

Don't forget that when you come to lessons next week, those that have completed my Summer Piano Challenge, bring back your form to receive your reward! I hope you found this challenge to help keep you interested through the summer, while also keeping you creative!

Anyway, I can't wait to see you all in a few days and get going on this awesome year!!

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