Getting To Know Mr. Kevin - Mozart’s Monthly Memo - Volume 11
July 20, 2021
FRIENDS save $25! Do you have a friend that is looking for a piano teacher? We are offering $25 off each for friends that sign up together or for friends of current students. Email misspam@moveovermozart.net for more details.
This Memo includes
Feature Article: Getting To Know Mr. Kevin
Student showcase of Jacob
Upcoming MOM events includes our next "Crescendo Kids Online" class and the FRIENDS discount.
Parents Ask Pam - Which keyboard should we purchase?
Feature Article - Getting To Know Mr. Kevin
Kevin Kenney, also known as Mr. Kevin, has been a favorite teacher with Move Over Mozart since 2011, teaching in multiple locations in Redmond, Bellevue and Kirkland. His goofy personality is a hit with the kids. His sincerity and trustworthiness is a hit with the parents. I remember when I interviewed him for this teacher position. At the time, I had no idea how valuable of a teacher he would become to Move Over Mozart!
Kevin’s father was in the military, which meant that his family frequently traveled during his growing up years. One of his most fond memories is of New Jersey. They lived in the country, surrounded by trees. However they were just a short drive from New York City where he got to experience the opera, symphony, Christmas at Macy’s, and many other cultural events. Kevin’s mother was very involved in stage performances, even acted as Bloody Mary of the South Pacific while pregnant with Kevin. It was inevitable that Kevin was destined for the stage! His first debut was at age 3, playing the part of the littlest daughter in Sound of Music, which his mother directed. He continued to perform in some way every year after that! His mother was also a piano teacher, ensuring that his home life was always filled with piano music. Kevin started piano lessons at the age of 11 because his older brother announced that, “chicks dig musicians,” and Kevin was just starting to notice girls! But the real advantage he found in music was the strong friendships he developed even though he moved frequently. In addition to piano, Kevin also plays electric bass, guitar and sings. He does not play the trumpet! It was determined in fifth grade that he was the worst of his band!
Kevin sang bass in choir, which helped him understand theory and harmony better. Although he only has a BFA (Bachelor’s of Fine Arts) from State University of New York at Purchase, he ended up with 10 years of music theory and advanced counterpoint. He was hand selected to study Bach under Anthony Newman, as well as learning under two pulitzer prize winners, Karel Husa and Yehudi Wyner. His original career goal was to be a rock and roll musician, but the business and lifestyle of that sort of musician was not to his liking. Plus, his wife wanted him to have a “real” job! However, after the birth of his third son, he went back to music and became a piano teacher. In the beginning, as he was growing his private studio, he also helped as a teacher’s assistant with children with special needs. That experience led him to help each summer with a foster kids’ camp, something he has continued with each year.
Mr. Kevin likes everything “Disney”. As a teen-ager, he performed at Disneyland every Spring and discovered, “they have the best pianos in the world.” His dream job is to be the piano player on Main Street. His “best life” would be to live close to Disneyland and visit every day. Kevin has three boys, the youngest is now 20 years old and a very promising musician himself!
Mr. Kevin is available to teach online private lessons and Crescendo Kids Online mini-lessons on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Student Showcasing
Each week we try to showcase a different student from our classes. Thanks to Jacob for sharing his music with us! Like us on Facebook to see the new student each week.
Jacob, student of Miss Pam, performing Comptine D’un Autre Été (Nursery Rhyme Of Another Summer).
Upcoming MOM Events
FRIENDS save $25! Do you have a friend that is looking for a piano teacher? We are offering $25 off each for friends that sign up together or to friends of current students. Email misspam@moveovermozart.net for more details.
Want to see all upcoming events? Check out our calendar. It is a new feature on our website.
Summer Recitals - Our Summer recitals will be online during the week of August 23-27. Contact Miss Pam to attend.
Parent Information Meetings - Have questions about our online piano class program? Want a tour of our practicing app? Click the link to schedule your meeting with Miss Pam. Parent Info Meeting
FREE Online Piano Party! Students share their own music as well as participate in musical games, creating music and learning some music history. Each party is a little different with a theme and a special guest instrument. Come, meet our piano teachers, play some music, and have fun! All ages and musical levels are welcome. Parties are available to non-students, former students as well as current students. Click the link to sign up. Piano Party Sign Up
Sunday, September 12, at 11:00 am. RSVP required.
August's Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, July 27. This is a great way to start your child's musical education or continue piano lessons. Students are put into one of 4 classes depending on their age and musical ability.
Crescendo Kids Online Sign Up
Pre-Reading - Ages 3 - 5 years, or students not yet reading,
We use a color-coded method for the students to match their five fingers to five keys on the piano. New songs using only those 5 notes are given each week.
Primary - Ages 5 -7 years or older and brand new to music,
This group is for the very basics of piano playing. Students learn to play simple rhythms, correct hand position, and the names of the white keys on the piano.
Beginning Elementary - Ages 7-12 years or younger and reading notes,
This is for students just starting to read notes on the staff. Students are taught how the staff relates to the piano and how to translate the notes to making music. Also, having the students memorize a few key notes on the staff will help greatly with their ability to read music.
Advanced Elementary - Ages 7 - 12 years with previous piano lessons
This group already reads notes on the staff and can immediately identify many of the notes by name. They will learn more advanced technique and music theory beyond the initial basics of learning to play.
Parents Ask Pam
Have a question for Miss Pam? You can email, text message, or message on Facebook your questions. She will respond immediately to you, and your question might be featured in future newsletters.
Q: We are getting a piano keyboard. What do you recommend?
A: The short answer? Get an instrument as close to an acoustic as you can. Then start saving your money and plan for a piano. The technique and sound quality that comes from an acoustic piano can not be duplicated on a keyboard. Modern technology is quite amazing and has improved immensely since Move Over Mozart started bringing piano classes to schools in 1994. It is because of affordable keyboards that more children from all backgrounds are able to have piano lessons and learn the instrument. Keyboards are also great as a “starter” instrument. However, if any acoustic piano is ever an option, it is far superior to any digital piano.
When purchasing a keyboard, consider these three features, ordered by importance.
Full-size width of keys. Miniature keys are useless for a piano student. It would be similar to learning basketball with a 6-foot high basket.
Touch-sensitive or weighted keys. This is referring to the ability to play soft or loud based on how hard you press the keys. Typically, the more expensive the keyboard, the more similar feel and touch to an acoustic piano. But any touch sensitivity will be better than none.
Full 88-keys. Orientation on a keyboard becomes quite important as the child progresses and plays pieces that use the full piano. I know of a college student that solely practiced on keyboards. For her piano-proficiency exam, she was quite proud to have played her piece flawlessly. However, upon completion, one of the judges asked her to play middle C. Apparently she played her piece an octave too high!
When we offered physical classes, we used the Yamaha PSRE-300 series. These keyboards were under $200, light-weight for portability, and had minimal touch-sensitivity. They were only 61-keys, but it fit our needs to provide a keyboard that was easy for the teacher to transport to different locations. Additionally, we only expect to teach beginners in our classes. As the student advances and transitions to private lessons, a real piano is best.
If you ever have questions about a particular keyboard, I am happy to assist and help you find the best quality instrument within your budget.
Your Comments And Questions
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