11 minute read
Boise Music Lessons
Not missing a beat despite a pandemic By Dennis Lopez
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It seemed like a logical father-daughter request from my oldest daughter, Amy. After all, she was only suggesting we learn an instrument renowned for its difficulty to play, the need for incredible finger dexterity, fluid bow skills and of course the ability to read music. Sort of the musical version of rubbing your head, patting your stomach and reciting the Gettysburg Address at the same time. Not to mention that I am “70 something.” How hard could it be? Turns out, not that hard at all, if you have the right teacher.
And that’s how I met Angie Marianthi, her husband Marcus and their children. And their dog. And two cats. And learned about raising chickens in your backyard. You see theirs truly is a family small business…no, more of a family passion focused on teaching and helping everyone to learn to make music.
Operating Boise Music Lessons out of their tidy home on Vaughn Street, Angie and Marcus provide a learning gateway for people who, like my daughter and me, want to attempt to learn to play an instrument. We learned in an atmosphere of warmth and friendship, fun and personal fulfillment. The learning pace was set as much by us as by Angie and her encouraging teaching methods. Just like the younger students who had finished their lessons ahead of us, we got clever little stickers on our music books as rewards for learning something new or finishing a song. I still value those little stickers. Angie and Marcus Marianthi own Boise Music Lessons. They continue to teach despite the pandemic and have done so through technology, masks, and so-called social distancing. The couple believes music is as relevant now as ever. (Courtesy photo)
That was three years ago. Boise Music Lessons was in its infancy and Angie and Marcus were starting down the very uncertain pathway of owning and operating their own business. They gave up regular hours and regular paychecks to do what they always wanted to do: teach people to play an instrument like the violin, guitar, drums or the banjo. Over those years, their business model has grown with the success of their studio and the needs of their students, changing to reflect a broader scope for those seeking to learn to play an instrument. Within those changes is a change in the age of their students. Today, 60 percent of their students are adults and they have changed the minimum age of students to nine-years-old. Now, during this world-wide pandemic they are faced with teaching music that normally is a hands-on form of learning, in a time when health officials say to remain socially distant from one another. Like many small businesses during the COVID-19 health crisis, it has become necessary for Angie and Marcus to rethink the way they conduct business in a time of social distancing and face masks. With the days of playing in the Marianthi living room now impossible, teaching people to play requires some ingenuity. The switch means that lessons are given outside on a lawn or through a virtual get-together using the internet. Regardless of the medium, Angie and Marcus view music as an important way to help people weather this current storm. “I think right now people are identifying what is most important to them. We see our students using music to lift their spirits and connect with their families and friends, and we’re happy to be able to guide them through this process,” Angie said. 12 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 | Idaho Family Magazine
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In that spirit, Boise Music Lessons uses a group learning methodology that allows students to play together while staying apart.
“In addition to one-on-one lessons, our students come together every month to learn a song as a group. Seeing a dozen different instruments come together keeps everyone motivated and excited about playing music.
“Before the pandemic we would host these groups in our home, or at local tasting rooms and coffee shops. Now we meet online, or at a park while wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.”
Angie said she and Marcus are grateful that they still have a role where they can help others during these challenging times. They are sharing that gratitude with others by donating a portion of their income to help local musicians in need.
“Proceeds from our online group classes go to local nonprofits like the Treefort Live Music Relief Fund and the Boise Hive. We feel fortunate to be able to play music every
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day with our community, and are grateful that we can help support our fellow musicians in the process.”
That I still can grind out a recognizable tune on my violin is proof that regardless of the teaching medium they employ, their methods work. I only hope they haven’t abandoned the little reward stickers.
Welcome to the Team, Dr. Charles!
Dr. Colton Charles
Dr. Colton Charles was born and raised in McCall, Idaho and is the oldest of five siblings. From a young age, he wanted to be a dentist just like his father. Growing up in the small mountain town, Dr. Charles spent most of his time fishing, hiking, camping, and skiing. After high school, he attended Oregon State University where he played football for the Beavers. Then he went on to graduate dental school at Oregon Health and Science University. Shortly after dental school, Dr. Charles took a position at a children’s clinic where he developed a passion for working with kids. This led him to pursue specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the NYU Langone Hospitals Pediatric Dental Residency program. Dr. Charles is excited to now be returning home to serve the children and families of the Treasure Valley. Dr. Charles and his wife Stacey have two young children and enjoy chasing them all over the place. When not fighting sugar bugs, he loves traveling and exploring the outdoors. Call Today to Schedule an Appointment!
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When this pandemic finally ends, are the generation of today’s children going to be able to create a livable world? The answer to that depends upon how many boundaries and life skills each parent is willing to teach. Boundaries for behavior (boundaries and consequences) teach children how to use power well, to respect authority, and to self-direct their behavior. (See “Don’t Feed the Dragon” on Amazon.)
Whether their child goes to school or participates in remote learning, parents who care about their children will regulate use of the media. Children are obsessed with it, so this will not be easy. Having been an instant “childsitter” in the beginning, use of the media has increased nearly 100 percent. If a parent chooses to limit media time, there will be battles, and popularity contests will not be won. If the schools provide work to do at home, the rule is simple: schoolwork first, no media; chores second, no media. If a child attends school, media time is restricted to one hour a day (explosion noted!).
As for life skills, one of the most important skills to learn (no matter what happens) is how to adjust, no matter what happens. Complaining, whining, temper tantrums, and pouting change nothing. The Serenity Prayer says, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.” Be careful what you say around your kids – CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS LISTENING! If you complain and moan, how can you expect them to make the most of a situation they cannot change? “How can we make lemonade out of this lemon?” becomes a mindset, a lesson in going with the flow of life.This instant-gratification generation isn’t being taught to realize that you need to re-direct your energy when faced with something you can’t change. They won’t learn it unless their parents model and teach that skill.
For more than 55 years, Sandy McDaniel has been an international speaker and recognized authority on families and children. Author of five books, columnist, founder of parentingsos.com, she is a resident of Meridian and loves spending time with her three Idaho grandchicks. She may be reached at sandy@parentingsos.com. Or, go to YouTube: Sandy Spurgeon McDaniel to see videos on specific parenting issues. through a device, and boom! Instant financial education for your group. All you have to do is ask.
Even though my colleagues and I at the University of Idaho and countless other educators around the country have gone to great lengths to provide quality educational programs for public use, we also realize that exposure to a handful of quality programs will only go so far in preparing children to manage their finances in the real world when they become adults. This is why it’s important to be a good role model, not only in financial behaviors but in the basic habit of regularly adding to your own financial education. Teach your kids to regularly read age-appropriate articles, listen to podcasts, and read books about money. It’s no secret that this is a habit of more than a few financially successful people, yet so many people who want to be successful don’t do it.
Put another way: You are what you read. (I’m suddenly worried... A few of my kids read “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” books on a regular basis.)
Don’t worry, you probably don’t need to toss out all your entertaining paperbacks, just make sure you mix in some books with practical use in your reading rotation. Also, don’t forget the busy person’s ultimate reading tool: audiobooks. Turn that commute or job into a some of the most productive and useful time of your day.
And, if school never happens this fall, it may not be a terrible idea to invest in some noise cancelling headphones along with those audiobooks. Just sayin’.
Luke Erickson, Ph.D., AFC®, is an associate professor of personal finance for the University of Idaho. He lives and works in the Treasure Valley. Luke and his wife Rachel have been married for 15 years and live in Meridian, Idaho with their four energetic children. Got questions or comments about kids and money? Email them to erickson@uidaho.edu. He’ll respond in future articles.
performing yoga moves in the presence of friendly, nonjudgmental goats. Grownups and young ones may take photos with the goats as part of the session and then gather chicken eggs from chickens in the coop near the goat meadow. They may even hold the chickens if they want. “They’re very sweet,” Nielsen said.
There’s also fruit- and veggie-picking in season.
Participant Nicole Gouve sees the whole experience as a wonderful escape.
“From the inviting entrance with herbal tea waiting, to the sounds of chickens clucking around, to the welcoming host, Emily, it is an escape from the mundane,” Gouve said. “After settling onto a yoga mat, the yogis get a much anticipated and hilarious introduction to the posse of playful goats – the main attraction of the hour.”
Nielsen’s husband, whom she calls “my partner in crime,” helps check people in as they arrive for their goat yoga sessions and takes care of the grounds too. “He wants to be a farmer in the worst way,” said Nielsen of her spouse.
She acknowledged John has all the business skills and handles all the logistics, while she’s more of the “this-willbe-fun” mindset. “I’ve always been someone who dabbles in many things at once,” said the now 42-year-old.
Her degrees from Southern Oregon University were in psychology and Spanish, and she taught elementary Spanish on Maui for years. That’s where she met John and had the first of her two children. She and John added the second child when they moved to Boise, and have lived in their current home for 13 years.
Emily has been a fitness instructor for 12 years, and prior to opening the Boise Barndominium and launching Boise Goat Yoga, she taught regular yoga in the space that is now the Airbnb.
The origins of goat yoga are a bit sketchy, but Nielsen said a woman in Oregon started the novelty program in 2014 with her pet goats.
The goat yoga season is six months long, from April through October, and costs $20 a session, with two community sessions per month. More information about Boise Goat Yoga is available at LivelyBalance.com. Questions may be directed to Nielsen at emily@livelybalance.com.
“I’d highly recommend this experience to anyone and everyone who loves animals, sunshine, yoga, and fun. A complimentary glass of wine by the campfire when the class is over is the perfect ending to an amazing adventure,” Dahl said.
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