FAQs

Keyboard Games classes typically have 2 or 3 students in the same class. Music Moves for Piano classes typically have 2 students per class but are sometimes individual classes.

The first 10-20 minutes of both Keyboard Games and Music Moves for Piano classes we spend away from the piano in an open space where we are listening to songs and chants, moving, and building our audiation. This Activity Time is extremely helpful to building our audiation that will later be transferred to the instrument. This helps us learn how to speak the language of music and how to feel the music in our bodies.

Then we do some Creativity/Exploration/Improvisation activities at the keyboard using rhythm patterns we create and within specific parameters.

Next we work on technique and keyboard geography.

Then we move to performance pieces, folk songs or other rote pieces in the books. Once the pieces are learned, we play them with the duet and then change the pieces, allowing the student additional opportunities for creativity and improvisation. Once enough pieces are learned we begin creating medleys and mashups that are extremely fun. If we are working on any repertoire outside of the books we continue to work on this as well.

At the end of the lesson I make sure the student knows which pieces to practice, which creative activities to continue to work on, how to access the audio recordings and which recordings to use during his or her practice time for the upcoming week.

We purposefully do not have a per class cost, but instead offer a package of services that not only includes the classes that month but also books and materials, administrative fees, and access to online audio recordings. All of this is included in your monthly fee.

No you don’t, we will take care of ordering all books and materials you will need. We also will give you a welcome pack when you join.

We charge a fixed monthly fee that is calculated based on the total amount to be paid for the entire year, and then divide it by the 10 months of the academic year. If any sibling discounts apply we will take that into account. You will pay the same amount every month so you don’t have to worry about the number of classes included each month. On average you will be paying for 3.5 classes per month.

On the first of each month you can make your payment using Zelle or we will send you a payment request on Venmo.

Although our monthly payments are calculated based on th 10 month academic year calendar, you don’t have to commit to the entire year. We only ask that you commit to one month at a time.

For summer session payments, the amount for the entire summer session will be calculated and the fixed monthly fee will be billed on the first of the month.

Before stopping classes, please let us know if you need help working out any issues you might be having. Does your time slot no longer work for your schedule? Is your child having trouble engaging? We are always open to discussion and are happy to help you find a solution. If we are not able to help you with an issue you are facing (financial, family issue, logistical issue) please let us know as soon as possible.

We understand that sometimes you might be sick or have some other urgent matter that prevents you from coming to your regularly scheduled class. We try to be flexible by allowing 2 classes to be made up per academic year. We will offer you to join another group class (at approximately your level) within a week or two of the missed class, or if that isn’t possible we will schedule a different time that works for both of us. Please let us know at least 24 hours ahead of time if you are unable to make it to your class. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, unfortunately the class will be lost and cannot be made up.

1. Send us a message by filling out our contact form or sending us an email at [email protected].
2. We will answer any questions you have and help get you signed up for a free upcoming demo class.
3. If you find that our studio is a good fit for you, we will then schedule our first month of classes and send you more details via email.
4. Immediately start to see amazing results!

We offer an innovative and creative way to learn how to speak the language of music. It is not a traditional approach and it is definitely not boring. Every class will have you moving, singing, chanting, improvising, creating, listening and understanding music like never before. It is so much more than just pushing down keys and simple imitation.

At the beginning and for at least a few years we will be learning music aurally. This is done so that each student can develop his or her audiation. Introducing music notation too early in the process can hinder their ability to feel and express the music they are playing. When the student is developmentally ready we will start learning how to read and write music and it will go rather quickly because the solid foundation has already been built and then it’s simply putting the symbol to the sounds we have spent a long time using.

Learning music is similar to learning a language. At first we need to be immersed in it by listening, then we begin to imitate words and sentences and then we create our own sentences. Only after a child has spent years listening, imitating and creating in their native language do we introduce reading and writing. Trust the process, and trust me that your child will eventually learn how to read and write music with ease.

On the menu at the top of the website there is a tab called ‘Audio Files.’ In the drop down menu, click on the book you are in and it will open up a new page. It will ask you to enter a password to access the recordings. These recordings are available only to members of the studio, and we will provide you the password upon joining the studio.

For tonal and rhythm pattern recordings, go to the same ‘Audio Files’ tab on the menu and at the bottom you will see Tonal Patterns and Rhythm Patterns. Click on the one you’re looking for, enter the password and access the tracks you are looking for.

All students are encouraged to use these audio recordings three times a week while practicing at home.

For the first 4-6 weeks our focus will be on developing audiation, movement and body awareness, so it’s not necessary immediately. However, after the first 4-6 weeks it would be best to get a piano or keyboard.

We recommend getting an upright piano or a full range 88 key weighted keyboard. Smaller range non-weighted keyboards are not sufficient for our purposes. Used pianos and keyboards can be a great way to save money. Please ask us if you need help finding an instrument, we are more than happy to help you.

We offer Keyboard Games classes Mondays-Thursdays 3:00pm-7:00pm and Music Play classes on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at 9:00am.

Unfortunately we do not. All piano classes and Music Play classes are taught at the studio. I think you will find that when you come to the studio you will be more focused during class and ultimately be more committed to the adventure of learning music. If it isn’t possible for you to come in person to our studio in Medford, we could consider the option of online classes. I much prefer in person classes as it allows us to do much more ensemble playing and technique work, but if that isn’t possible, the online option can work for some students.