January 10, 2024

New session of Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, January 16
First 30 NEW students can try it out for $24! Coupon code, MusicGift

This Memo includes

• Feature Article: Why Your Child Will Enjoy Crescendo Kids Online

• Student Hall of Fame

• Practice Tip

• Parents Ask Pam - How much can my child really learn in an 8-minute lesson?

Feature Article - Why Your Child Will Enjoy Crescendo Kids Online

By Pamela Cornell

What makes our beginning piano program so successful? When Move Over Mozart started in 1994, our goal was to create piano lessons for every child. Looking back at my childhood I realized how fortunate I was to have piano lessons. Back then, piano lessons meant my parents could afford an acoustic piano and piano lessons. Also, my mother had the time to transport me to the lessons each week. Very few of my friends had a piano in their home. By the time I got into high school, I had something “special” that gave me joy. I started wondering what my life would be like if I never had piano lessons? As an adult, I had several friends that I suspected would be very good musicians but never had the opportunity to explore that side of their skills. I wanted to create a program that was affordable and convenient for parents and motivating for children. 

Today, in addition to our in-person classes at community centers, we also offer a similar program online. Here are some of the benefits I’ve noticed that makes our online program successful and in some ways better than traditional private lessons.

First, there is the added convenience of no commuting and playing on your own instrument in your own home. For the student, this added environmental comfort takes away so much anxiety that is typically in a lesson. For the parent, there is the obvious benefit of not having to deal with traffic, but they can also be present as much or as little as needed. I think most parents want to hear how the lesson goes, but they also want to give their child space to learn from their teacher. With online lessons, they can do both, listen from another room, or just off camera, whichever works best for their child. 

Our program includes very short, 8-minute virtual lessons. Why only 8-minutes? Because children, especially younger ages, have short attention spans. 8-minutes gives the teacher enough time for the student to play through their new song once or twice, and if there is time, still play a musical game. 8 minutes of intense focus is quality time for your child to learn.

Students receive a short, 3-5 minute video each week. This video is tailored to their age and musical level. While the virtual lesson focuses on playing the piano, the video focuses on music theory and introduces activities that can be played at home with a parent, sibling or visiting friend. 

So far, I’ve shared the “notes” and the “rhythm” of our program. But what really makes a piece of music sound beautiful is how the player touches their instrument and how they use dynamics to pull out different parts of the melody. Similarly, in our piano program, it really isn’t the parts of our online program that make it successful, it is how we put it all together. In my opinion, the “art” is our teachers! They are passionate about music and love working with kids. Their personality, joy and engagement is what draws the students to continue. 

Crescendo Kids Online is all “glued” together with our practice app. The practice app gamifies piano practice, motivating students to play more. It also keeps all assignments and media in one place. If a student needs a little additional help in a specific area, their teacher can easily add a worksheet or make a video or recording to give extra assistance. The student can send videos of their songs, asking for help between lessons, or to get an assignment updated before their next lesson. Parents can also check the practice app for current assignments and to see how much their child is playing. The practice app can be used on a computer, phone or other electronic device. 

The best part about our beginning piano program is that it can prepare a child to be successful in traditional private piano lessons once the child is older and ready for a more intense musical learning experience. One of the biggest challenges of private lessons is daily piano practice. Our beginning piano program has several practice incentives in addition to the practice app that encourages students to play more frequently. Additionally, we teach how to practice and different techniques that can be used to keep practice fun and engaging. When the child starts private lessons, they will already have the practice tools needed for successful lessons. 

So now you have it, short intense lessons, virtually and through video, fabulous teachers that encourage engagement, and an excellent practice app that facilitates not only lesson assignments and practice, but also communication between the student and the teacher between lessons. The result is motivated children wanting to make music!

Right now, for our January, 2024, session, we are offering a special gift, $24 for 4 weeks of Crescendo Kids Online piano lessons to the first 30 new students. If you are wondering if online lessons would be a good fit for your child? Now is a great opportunity to try it out and see what you think. There are no obligations after January. Use the coupon code MUSICGIFT when signing up and give your child the gift of piano lessons! 

Student Hall Of Fame

Our students are making great progress! These students have accomplished new goals this last month.

Welcome to our new students - Akshaj C. & Anya A.

100-Day - Play the piano for 100 days in a row - Jason J* & Kevin J, (*indicates first time meeting this challenge!)

5X5 - play the piano for 5 minutes, 5 days in a week, for 5 weeks in a row - Janice L & Samuel S, ( * indicates first time meeting this challenge!)

Completed their piano lesson book - Arianna D.

Moved up to the next music level - Olivia V.

Practice Tip

Keep track of your practice. If you use a practice app, like Practice Space, it will keep track of your practice for you. But you can also keep track of it the old-fashioned way by writing it down on a piece of paper. By keeping track, it will help you stay accountable. Also, you can look back and see how much time you really gave to playing the piano.

Upcoming MOM Events

Want to see all upcoming events? Check out our calendar. It includes when the next Crescendo Kids class begins, school closure dates, piano parties, and recital dates.

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 new lessons 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

Saturday, February 3, 2024, 11:00 - 11:45, ages 3 - 12 years

Parent Information Meetings - Have questions about our online piano class program? Want a tour of our practicing app? Click the link to schedule your free meeting with Miss Pam. Parent Info Meeting

Crescendo Kids CLASSES -

North Kirkland Community Center - Tuesdays or Thursdays - visit kirklandparks.net

Winter:
Registration is now
Tuesdays, January 16 - April 2 (no class February 20)
Thursdays, January 18 - April 4, (no class February 15).

Spartan Recreation Center in Shoreline - Mondays - visit shorelinewa.gov/registernow

Winter:
Registration is now
Mondays, January 22 - April 1 (no class February 19)

30 - Minute Private Online Piano Lessons - Did you know that many of our teachers also teach privately? Now you can continue your child’s musical education, or your own, with Move Over Mozart. Click here for more information. Private Lessons

New Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, January 16. Our piano classes are fun and easy to do! Perfect for beginning students ages 3 1/2 to 12 years old. 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:  How much can my child really learn in an 8-minute lesson?

A:  Eight minutes is enough time to go over their new song for the week and maybe play a music game or answer questions from the video lesson. But don’t just take my word, here are what some of our parents have said about our piano classes.

“My daughter has been learning piano from Move Over Mozart for about 3 yrs now. . . And I can’t believe the progress she has made considering the course is taught via app and the online one-on-one lesson being only 8 mins long. My daughter did not play piano or read music before taking her first class here and now she can.” — Hui Chin Ku, Kirkland, WA

“I am absolutely amazed at how much my kids (6 and 8) have learned. They’re able to read the notes on the page, but they’re also understanding the notes, hand positions, rhythms, and so much more. . . I am so amazed with their progress, as well as their teacher’s patience, kindness, and ability to teach virtually. Thank you!!!” — Tirzah Dondanville, Bellevue, WA

“Our boys have been with Move Over Mozart for about a year now. Even with remote learning, their progress has been amazing. Miss Pam is patient, encouraging and makes learning fun for them.” — Serene ZiCornell, Austin TX

Your Comments And Questions

We want to hear from you!  What questions do you have? What do you like best about this memo? How has our online lessons benefitted your child? Please leave your questions and comments below or email Pam directly at misspam@moveovermozart.net