Music & Arts | Sound Teaching | February 2018

February 2018

SOUNDTEACHING NEWSLETTER FOR LESSON TEACHERS @ MUSIC & ARTS

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The Importance of Finding Individual Connections

Lessons With Lane

In The Arts with Laura: First Impressions Matter

Keeping Students Excited

The Importance of Finding Individual Connections B Y K E L S E Y G E R TJ E , T R O M B O N E I N S T R U C T O R I N L A C E Y, W A

much better he sounded after our short

me to help her improve her abilities

break! He played in time, with very little

significantly. We spend a lot of time

hesitation, and his tone was better and

developing and reinforcing her senses

more consistent than I had ever heard it.

of time, pitch, and tone, as well as her ability to sight read. I’m certain that a

As I get to know my students, I find

more experienced euphonium teacher

that these are the moments that matter

could be even more beneficial to her; but

in lessons. The moments when I can

I have a lot to offer and grateful for the

make a connection with them as a

challenge.

person are often the moments in which the most noticeable progress is made.

When I was a student, it was my dream

One day, my trombone student and I

Of course, progress also happens slowly

to teach private lessons. I knew it was

were playing through London Bridge,

and gradually over time, but those

one of the best ways to connect with

a two-part piece, together. He’s in 5th

breakthrough moments are memorable

students in meaningful ways and help

Grade, so he’s currently learning to read

and motivational.

them become strong musicians.

had with him, he has made wonderful

Another student is a euphonium player,

In the short time that I have been

progress, and I’m very proud of him. He

which presents some unique challenges

teaching private lessons, I have truly

recently learned the new note G, which

for me, since I’m primarily a trombone

learned how important those individual

stretched both his range, and his reading

player. My practical experience with the

connections are, and how much they can

ability, so we alternated between playing

euphonium is somewhat limited. One

facilitate learning and music making.

and saying the notes while moving the

might think that the teacher should be

Knowing that I wouldn’t necessarily

slide.

an expert on an instrument in order to

have all of the answers as a teacher;

teach a student successfully, but I’ve

I’ve found it incredibly encouraging

I could tell both of our brains were

found that’s not necessarily true. Of

to realize that my strong foundational

getting a bit tired, so I stopped us for

course, having a basic understanding of

knowledge of music making is my most

a moment, and we chatted about what

how to play the instrument is important,

important tool.

we each did for the New Year. We had

but in my experience, a strong grasp on

a lovely time sharing for a minute or

musicianship is vital.

notes. In the half-dozen lessons I’ve

two, and then returned to the music at hand. He played Part B while I played

I find that thinking of my euphonium

Part A, and I was astounded by how

student as a musician first allows

K E L S E Y G E R TJ E completed a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education at Central Washington University. She has been teaching trombone and euphonium lessons at Music & Arts since November 2017. She plays the trombone, and serves as a guest teacher in the North Thurston Public Schools. Kelsey strives to empower her students and make music meaningful and fulfilling for them.

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Introducing our Newest Section: Lessons With Lane B Y L A N E G R E G O R Y, M & A N AT I O N A L R E TA I L M A R K E T I N G M A N A G E R

an additional 1,000 by end of January!

How does this apply to you as a lesson

This event is a big part of why we just

instructor?

hit our all-time high of 34,606 students and further solidifying us as the Nation’s

Well while we work on the brand, The

Largest Lesson Provider.

Lesson Studio, you should double down to build your personal brand. All of our

In the Music & Arts Marketing

instructors are background checked,

department we take lead generation

educated in music AND currently

for this type of event very seriously. As

providing lessons at the Nation’s

The Lesson Studio has grown through

Largest Lesson provider. Those are 3

the years we’ve been able to refine our

fantastic selling points of why someone

Welcome to the first installment of

Marketing efforts to a few different

should choose to take lessons from

Lessons with Lane! Each month we will

channels & mediums that produce the

YOU. These are differentiators. The best

cover what the Music & Arts Marketing

greatest number of leads.

way to advertise your personal brand is to keep your instructor profile up to

team is doing to further grow The Lesson Studio as well as ways that

One of our more successful tactics is

date on our Stores 4 Stores pages. Here

you, the instructor, can capitalize on

event advertising through the CertifiKid

is a great example of a well-rounded

these marketing efforts and grow your

email blast. CertifiKid has a database of

profile from one of our instructors in

personal brand.

over 1 million users nationwide, most of

our Frederick location. https://stores.

whom are engaged moms looking for

musicarts.com/experts/kenneth-b-3

We are all still celebrating the success

family activities. A perfect match for

of our second National Open House

our Lesson Studio needs! For the 2018

A thorough online presence is important

weekend! A big thank you to our retail

January open house almost 1/3 of all

because it’s through a search function

store staff and lesson instructors for

of our leads were generated through a

that most parents or prospective

making this a wonderful experience

CertifiKid email blast. Advertising this

students will first engage with The

for our current lesson students and the

way allows us to track exactly where

Lesson Studio. Make sure that you stand

prospective students that came to check

the lead came from and just how many

out! We are always willing to help guide

us out that weekend.

people took action when they received

you through the process of getting this

the newsletter.

set up. Check in with the store manager

We managed to sign up over 528 NEW

or associates or feel free to email us at

lesson students that weekend alone, and

marketing@musicarts.com.

ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS: Have you recently moved? If you have, don’t forget to update your address by filling out a W9 form with your Store Manager. This will ensure that your tax documents go to the right place.

February 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 3

Studying Multiple Instruments Magnifies Music Learning B Y D R . C Y N T H I A M A H A N E Y, V I O L A & V O I C E I N S T R U C T O R I N W O R T H I N G T O N , O H

In my work over the years teaching

sight reading skills, a higher level of

of emotion, thought, or setting being

and working with students of all levels

musicality, and are able to gain greater

expressed. It is up to the instrumentalist

and ages, I have noticed that studying

insight. One student who studies violin

to decide what that element is, and to

more than one instrument contributes

and piano has been recognized as gifted

express it. As a singer, you often have

significantly to music learning. I began

in violin. She seeks out opportunities

more insight into what that might be,

with piano lessons with my mother at

to play the violin and sight-reads music

even when playing the violin. Helping

age five. Then I added violin lessons

with a friend, usually during recess time.

your student discover that is important.

at age nine, flute at school when I was

She has just been placed in an advanced

For a singing student, you need to help

ten, and voice lessons at age thirteen. I

orchestra. Another student who studies

point out what the meaning is behind

kept studying all throughout my time at

both piano and violin with me was

the words. The piano part often gives us

school, including high school. During

awarded first chair of the first violin

clues to what that is. If you do not play

my senior year I had five events in

section, as a freshman in High School.

the piano, it is much more difficult to

which I participated during the annual

discover this.

Solo & Ensemble, on three different

Many singers often have great difficulty

instruments. I performed a senior recital

singing music by sight, or even

Violin students can become much

on three instruments (voice, flute and

reading music at all. That difficulty is

more musical and expressive if they

violin).

completely eliminated if the singer

also sing. Singers can become amazing

also has studied another instrument,

technicians when also studying the

It was easy for me to decide to major

especially piano. It seems to me that

violin. For instance, when learning a

in music in college. Though a vocal

all students of music can benefit from

difficult melisma passage as a singer,

performance major, I also played violin

learning piano first. It leads more easily

I have employed a rhythm technique I

and viola in orchestras and string

to learning note reading, rhythms,

learned as a violinist. When singing a

quartets, eventually earning a Doctorate

and listening skills without the added

long passage of notes, if you add dotted

in Music Arts. During college I would

difficulty of how to hold the instrument

rhythms, you can learn the passage of

often sing my violin music and play

correctly, etc. Singers also must develop

notes much more quickly. Once you

my vocal music. I felt that learning the

“audiation�, hearing the music before

are comfortable singing the passage

music on many levels helped me to learn

you sing it. This skill is important to all

with the dotted rhythm (dotted eighth/

and gain new insight into the music

instrumentalists as well.

sixteenth) then you flip the rhythm

itself. As a result, I developed very fine

(sixteenth note/dotted eighth) and sing

sight-reading skills. After a performance,

It also benefits instrumental players to

the passage that way. Another technique

I was even told that I sang Mozart as a

study singing. With singing we learn

is to start at the end of the passage

violinist!

breath control, posture, and focus on

and sing the last four notes or so. Then

tone production. There is a myriad of

work your way back to the front of the

I have a few students who study more

ways to produce and express every note,

passage, adding only one or two notes

than one instrument, sometimes

given its position in the phrase, as well

at a time, until you have sung the entire

both with me, sometimes with other

as conveying a message with the words.

passage. By that point, you usually have

instructors. Those students more

Even though instrumental music does

already learned the entire passage!

often have advanced playing skills,

not have words, there is an element

Piano students can benefit from also

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singing when playing phrases. You

insight. In general, pianists and most

more than one instrument, encourage

shape the phrase in your mind, and

instrumentalists are hesitant to sing,

your students to study more than one

then play the phrase, picking up the

but I would really encourage them

with you. You can both learn and grow

crescendos and decrescendos with each

to do so. You can gain so much more

as musicians and teachers as a result.

note of the phrase, until it matches the

understanding of phrasing, expression,

The final result is a more in-depth and

shape of the phrase you’re “singing” in

and emotion.

satisfying presentation of the music.

your mind. This is especially true if it is a piano solo arrangement of an existing

In conclusion, if you teach only one

song. In fact, as pianists, you should

instrument, encourage your students,

often practice “singing” the melody as

to also study another instrument, or at

you are learning it to gain even more

least participate in a choir. If you teach

D R . C Y N T H I A M A H A N E Y has extensive performing and teaching experience. A graduate of Ohio State University (June 2006), Cynthia received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in vocal performance. While there, she was awarded the Margaret Speaks Award as the top female singer. After initially earning her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Ohio University, Cynthia received her Master of Arts degree in Vocal Pedagogy from OSU. Dr. Mahaney spent time in Chicago where she sang in the Chicago Symphony Chorus under the late Margaret Hillis. Dr. Mahaney’s most recent operatic role was as the High Priestess in Opera Columbus’ production of Aϊda, which received a favorable review in Opera News magazine. She resides in the Clintonville area of Columbus, Ohio where she also maintains an active private studio of over 25 students.

Open House Weekend Recap Last month, Music & Arts hosted an Open House Weekend across the country. Thank you to the outstanding teachers that participated in making this event so successful. We had over 528 new students register for lessons over the course of the weekend! Did you participate or do you have suggestions for next year? Send your feedback to marketing@musicarts.com.

February 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 5

In The Arts with Laura: First Impressions Matter

BY LAURA ZOLFO, M& A REGIONAL LESSON MANAGER

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As we continue to grow, year after year,

We will call students and teachers to

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Exchange contact information with

remind them about new students on

parents (phone and/or email) to

the schedule when the first lesson is

encourage communication about

approaching.

scheduling and progress in lessons.

Each new student and their parent

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Host a casual recital or other

will be given a Welcome Folder,

performance, and have new

and introduced to their teacher by a

students participate! Whether they

member of the sales team.

can play on their own or with you,

After the first month, we will email

a performance early in the learning

new lesson families to ask how

process gives them a goal right

their lessons are going. We want

from the start, and an opportunity

feedback!

to see the progress of their fellow

we’re cognizant of the fact that The

advancing students. It’s like a

Lesson Studio is the major player we are

And we know what goes on inside the

look into their future, and this is

because of the experience our students

studio is equally critical to setting up

extremely motivating!

have in our stores. We often hear that

each student for a successful lesson

students love lessons at M&A because

experience. As you welcome new

At the end of the day, music lessons are

of the relationship with their teacher and

students into your studio these coming

a service, and the quality of that service

the store team.

months, remember to consider these

determines how committed our students

tips:

are to us as a brand and a lesson

Over the years, we’ve learned that if a

Carefully select learning materials

provider. More importantly, we decide

student stays in lessons past 90 days,

that fit the individual students’

everyday what a student’s future with

they’re 50% more likely to stick with it

needs, and will help them get

music will look like by how we care for

for 12 months or more. We found that if

excited about coming to lessons

their learning. We know the ingredients

we create an impactful first impression

each week.

necessary to set each student up for

Invite parents to be involved in the

success.

for our students, we better guarantee

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•

a successful learning experience long

learning process by encouraging

term.

them to arrive timely and come

As the leader in private music lessons,

inside after the lesson. You’ll want

it’s our responsibility to demonstrate

So what do we do to get more students

to review progress and assignments

what it takes to have a great future in

over that first 90 day hurdle? Over the

for the coming weeks. Involve

music.

next few months, we’re refreshing the

parents in what good practice habits

First Lesson Experience:

look like.

ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS:

The Teacher Best Practices Seminar is now available online! Use the following link to view the seminar: Teacher Best Practices Seminar 6 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | February 2018

Keeping Students Excited B Y A U S T I N B O L E N , S T R I N G S I N S T R U C T O R I N L A W R E N C E V I L L E & S N E L LV I L L E , G A

Get Involved

Many of us are an inspiration to

Get to know what school programs and

our students, so share your music

extracurricular activities your students

experience with them! If you play gigs,

are involved in. This is a great way to

invite their families to attend. This

show you’re invested in more than just

can plant the seed for something to

the lessons, you’re invested in them.

strive for. I have also invited students

Attending their school concerts, even if

to perform with my band at local

you can only make a brief appearance,

restaurants. We learn the songs ahead

will mean the world to them.

of time in the lesson studio, and put their skills to the test in front of paying

Lesson instructor Austin Bolen here

Supporting their fundraisers (especially

customers. This is a great way to keep

to share with you some tips and ideas

for the music program) is a three-fold

students on their toes, incorporating

I practice to sustain a long, healthy

win. You’re showing you care about

their lessons into live performances.

relationship with music lesson students

them, their other activities, and you’re

It was awesome to see Music & Arts

keeping them inspired and constantly

supporting a system that supports you.

feature my music video covering the

striving for improvement.

There are many ways to show you care,

Beatles “Elanor Rigby” as a segment on

and parents are appreciative of your

the promotional DVD’s that are played

dedication to their kids.

in the store. Students would see the

Make Attendance a Priority

video, and ask me to teach them the

Keep students inspired by minimizing credits and offering make up lessons.

Host Performances

Make yourself available, and keep up

I feel this is one of the most important

with your schedule. If someone gives

opportunities that a teacher can

By incorporating these tricks and tips

you advanced notice about an absence,

facilitate for their students. School

into my studio practices, I’ve had great

a makeup should be at least offered.

bands and orchestras do not simply

success keeping students interested and

Parents appreciate having an option,

give their students music to learn and

excited about their music experience.

and nobody wants to lose money, so be

practice. They train all year to perform

They grow as musicians and young

flexible!

music concerts. Why would a private

artists. For many students, it’s the

instructor not do the same thing?

difference between sticking with it,

same song.

and just becoming another failed

Teach What They’re Motivated to Play

extracurricular activity.

Teach students what they are excited

Most Music & Arts locations make

about learning. Whether it’s abstract

a recital simple for the instructor by

animé theme songs, Led Zeppelin,

reserving a venue where the students

Game of Thrones, or Stranger Things

can perform or hosting in store. You can

A U S T I N B O L E N is a Strings

soundtrack, work it into the curriculum.

also take initiative and make it happen

Afterwards, they need to “eat their

yourself! I use a church near the store,

vegetables” and learn their Beethoven

and reserve a time for my students to

and Mozart too. They’re all related. A

perform. Music & Arts understands

full balanced diet is required to make

the importance of performance, and is

up a wholesome, successful -and most

willing to support this when they can.

Teacher in the Lawrenceville and Snellville, GA stores. With 15 years of teaching experience, he enjoys transcribing popular songs to help his students connect with their learning.

Austin also performs regularly in the Atlanta area both as a solo cellist and guitarist.

importantly– a happy player.

Share Your Music February 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 7

Inside the Lesson Studio with Hannah

BY H A N N A H B E S T, M & A R E G I O N A L L E S S O N M A N A G E R

1. Add more structure to your

caring for a quality instrument. It’s

lessons. Find a method book

a positive thing to call out in the

in addition to the individual

lesson.”

curriculum you’re scoring in lessons and include this as part of your

Q “My store has been through three

lessons. Teach theory in addition

store managers in just under a year.

to tab and charts. Help the student

What’s going on?”

become well rounded and set more goals. Does the student just want

A “Thankfully, this is an unusual

to learn a couple of songs? Great!

occurrence. Do we change managers in

Even if you start out with tab, slowly

some locations more often than others?

Sound Teaching that Music & Arts has

incorporate theory so that the

Yes. However, it’s usually not as frequent

as many piano students as there are

student develops the skill to read

as three times a year.

guitar students. Is this because guitar

music (the way the student does

isn’t as popular or is it because you

in piano lessons) and the ability to

Why does this happen you ask? Well,

have more pianos in stores?”

sight read.

we’re a retail establishment. This type

Q “I noticed in the last issue of

A “I was somewhat surprised by

of job is demanding in a variety of ways 2. Include performances more often.

and not everyone is built to manage a

this information as well, but while I’ve

For more classical instruments,

retail store. We also promote from within

been visiting stores and looking at

we tend to foster the performance

and this can mean that your store sees

instrumentation by store, I realized this

behavior differently than we do for

more transition than most.

was a trend that we’ve been seeing for

guitar (and percussion). Ensure

a while. To fully answer your question,

that your students have a venue to

How can you overcome the challenges

I don’t think this is merely a trend or

perform their instrument and to

with a manager or general staffing

because we have more pianos in the

play more often. If you aren’t keen

change? Partner with your District

stores than guitar amplifiers.

on recitals, participate in Open Mic

Manager and be sure to meet the team

events that take place in store or

at your store, despite any changes that

encourage your own events.

you’re seeing. They are committed and

The reason I believe we have a higher

responsible for ensuring our customers

demand for piano is because piano has a different foundation for learning and

3. Check out the instrument. Unlike

know about the benefits of learning

more structure to the lesson. Students

other instruments (sometimes),

also retain in piano higher than they

students come in with “toy like”

do in guitar lessons. I’ve found over the

guitars and this isn’t going to get

Being a good partner with the team

years that there is more support, even

the job done. Don’t be afraid to

in your store, despite the changes, is

from a method book standpoint, for

say something to the student or

critical. Meet everyone, ask questions,

piano than there is for guitar lessons.

the parent about the importance

and communicate openly.”

of investing in a higher quality So, for the guitar teachers out there, what

instrument. If the family or student

can you do to hold down the popularity

is investing in private lessons, there

of your instrument?

is a commitment to having and

8 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | February 2018

through private lessons.