March 2018
SOUNDTEACHING NEWSLETTER FOR LESSON TEACHERS @ MUSIC & ARTS
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Tips for More Fulfilling, Productive, and Enjoyable Lessons
Bringing Out the Best in Each Student
Be Vocal! Communication is Key!
Students Are People First
Tips for More Fulfilling, Productive, and Enjoyable Lessons BY BRIAN ASHMORE, TRUMPET INSTRUCTOR IN CONYERS, GA
Many of our students have dreams of
feelings can hinder a student’s progress
being on a big stage playing for huge
and motivation. Our goal should be
crowds and being perfect, but they don’t
to create an environment of honesty
know how to get there. They don’t have
with our students, one where we can be
a plan on how to achieve that huge
truthful about mistakes and things that
goal. That’s where establishing 3 types
need improvement, as well as giving
of goals becomes important. Students
positive feedback. Letting your students
need to have Short Term (weekly), Mid
know when they aren’t meeting the
Term (monthly/yearly), and Long Term
standards that have been set for them
(life-long) goals. My lesson assignments
will drive them to do better. Constructive
always involve short achievable goals
criticism will always encourage students
As music instructors, we all find
for the week. These vary from student
to work harder and get past the issues
teaching enjoyable, especially when our
to student. Some goals may be to play
that have been holding them back.
students have practiced and we can see
two full etudes and some fundamental
clear and quick progress. Unfortunately,
exercises, while others may be eight
These are just a few of the techniques
we’ve all had students where we have
measures of a piece, or even just one
that I use to help give structure to
the same lesson every week and it can
scale. Despite being achievable, these
lessons and motivation to students, but
get frustrating quickly. There are a few
goals should still push students to be
it is important to remember that these
things that we can do to make even
better. Midterm goals tend to center
should be tailored for each student’s
those lessons more fulfilling.
around all-state auditions, college
need, ability, and personality.
auditions, or upcoming performances. The first thing we can do is have a
We always have something to work
schedule for every lesson. I use five
towards, whether it is within a couple of
“subjects” taught to me by Jay Maurice
weeks or even at the end of the year. For
of Lessons In Your Home: greeting,
long term goals, I refer to the student’s
theory, sight reading, fundamentals,
dreams. They may be years, even
and etudes/solo pieces. During a 30
decades away from fruition, but we can’t
minute lesson, I spend between five
forget that those dreams are the reasons
to seven minutes on each subject and
that got our students into music in the
for 60 minutes, the time doubles. This
first place. When lessons are feeling
may seem like a very short period to
slow or scales are not being practiced,
cover every subject and you may not
giving the student a reminder that these
get to every piece. However, this moves
etudes and exercises are all moving
lessons along, keeps you from lingering
them to their long-term goals.
on an exercise or song, keeps your student from getting bored, and keeps
As teachers in an objective field, we
you both from getting frustrated.
cannot be afraid to be honest with our students. Fear of conflict and hurt
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B R I A N A S H M O R E is a trumpet player based in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2016 with his Bachelor of Music degree where he received training in both classical and jazz realms and gained performance experience in both styles. Bryan has performed with the top Ensembles at USC, toured Mexico with the USC Trumpet Ensemble, and performed with two Atlanta Big Bands: The Big Band Contractors and The Sentimental Journey Orchestra. Bryan is currently the trumpeter for the Atlanta corporate band Surround Sound Band as well as other groups such as the Drive Time Band in Atlanta and Homebrewed.
Bringing Out the Best in Each Student B Y C H A R I T Y F O N D E V I L L A , V O I C E / P I A N O I N S T R U C T O R I N WAY N E , N J
of learning and retaining information.
the live performance. When preparing
Some students prefer to hear what
for a vocal performance, review
they are learning. Some prefer seeing
microphone placement, vocal projection,
or reading information. While some
arm movement, eye contact with the
prefer using their sense of touch or a
audience, smiling, memorization of
combination of learning styles. Find
lyrics, vocal exercises to use before
out the best way to connect with the
the performance and nutrition. The
student. Besides the method books,
best feedback comes from a live
use an iPad and apps/Youtube to make
performance. It reveals to us and the
it fun. It’s up to us to keep students
student what they are good at, what
Nothing is more rewarding than
excited and inspired long after their
they need to improve on and what they
seeing your students experience that
first lesson. Teach technique but relate
need to perform well under pressure. It
Aha! moment. Our job is to nurture
it to something else in life. If you have
is where parents can see and feel at ease
and provide an avenue for students to
a dance background and your student
that their money was well spent. And
express themselves through music.
needs to work on a musical theatre song
nothing is more convincing than seeing
Every time I teach, I have the chance to
that requires dance choreography, learn
your child having fun and performing
make an impact and inspire a student to
it, teach the choreography and show
well. Being present at the recital shows
continue their musical journey. Here are
where it connects with the lyrics and the
your support and concern for the
some tips I use to bring out the best in
music. Last but not least, be yourself and
success of your students. Parents will
each student.
have fun. Have a good laugh with your
notice that and feel confident that you
students. Your students will love that,
are the right teacher for their child.
Arrive early, be reliable, consistant, and
and they will want to come back.
organized. Being reliable and present for each lesson will earn the trust of the
Involve the parents in the practice at
parents and the store manager. Parents
home. Teachers and parents are both
don’t want to worry that you will be
accountable for the success of the
taking off every other week and the store
student. I find that the students who do
manager wants dedicated educators.
well with retaining information have
Arriving 15 minutes before your
parents that encourage them to do their
first lesson helps build reliability.
homework. When the parents arrive, ask
Be prepared and organized. Set up
them how practice is going and what
the studio for your first lesson. Have
are the challenges at home. At the end
everything ready and turned on before
of the lesson, speak with the parent
your student arrives. This way, you are
and reiterate new material that requires
mentally ready, and your primary focus
practice at home.
will be on the student and parent when they arrive.
Showcase your student’s progress in a recital. Invite your students to perform
Personalize the lesson and make it
for an upcoming recital. Customize
fun! Each student has a unique way
the lessons to prepare the student for
CHARITY FONDEVILLA teaches voice and piano at Music & Arts in Wayne, New Jersey. She studied at New Jersey City University and has been teaching since 2012. She has performed with Philippine Superstars Pilita Corales, Carmen Patena and Jennifer Cuneta as well as with Judy Torres of WKTU and Jocelyn Enriquez “Set U Free/ Planet Soul Album”. Singing in many styles of music ranging from R & B, Funk, Disco, Motown, Hiphop, Swing to Latin, Charity also sings in 4 other languages: Tagalog, Spanish, Yiddish and Italian. Featured on NBC News 4, WRMN Radio, Atlantic City Weekly, South Jersey Magazine and at The Apollo Theatre “Showtime at The Apollo” as well as on numerous cable television appearances. March 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 3
Be Vocal! Communication is Key! BY DA N I E L L E N AC I N OV I C H , M & A S TO R E M A N AG E R I N S O U T H PA R A M U S , N J
students all at the same time. If you feel
sure the lessons run smoothly. They are
like you struggle with your schedule,
your advocates, so help them to help
think about how we feel managing
you. Did you reschedule a lesson with
eight different ones everyday! How
a student? Get the associate involved
do we not go (completely) insane? We
with the planning by going over to the
communicate, obnoxiously so.
lesson board together. There are a lot of working parts, so they will be your best
Why is communication so important?
avenue to make sure the schedule does
Let’s break it down with your key players
not fall apart.
in the store. Store Manager When I started with Music & Arts in
Sales Associates
In my store, all of my teachers know I
2013, our store did not have a lesson
These are the people on the front line
check my email at least four times a day,
program because we were inside of a
working to find you the perfect fitting
even when I’m not working. I have the
Guitar Center. As a result, for four years,
students. So why not help them out?
crazy habit of feeling like I’m missing
lessons were not at the forefront of my
The easiest way to do so is by having
something and want to stay on top of
mind. My biggest concern was putting
a conversation. Did you know a lot of
everything I can in every aspect. They
the right instrument in the player’s hand
Music & Arts employees are also college
know if I am not in the store, they can
to help them succeed. Sometimes they
students? Ask about their studies
contact me at anytime and I will usually
would come back to the store and tell
and what classes they are enjoying.
get back to them within 24 hours. On
me all about the concert and how their
For example, one of my part timers
the flip side, anytime we add a student
solo went with the new horn. While this
is taking music theory in school. So
in the store, in addition to calling the
was wonderful to hear, it never really
instructors who teach theory check in to
teacher I make sure to follow up with an
resonated with me on a deeper level. It
see how she is doing and if she has any
email, detailing anything I can about
was more about sales than watching the
questions. This not only gives her peace
the new student so my teachers are
player grow.
of mind, it also helps her gauge the
prepared.
instructors’ personality and knowledge, All of that changed when I was
giving her a better idea of how they
This also works very well when trying
promoted to store manager of the new
would work with students and becoming
to come up with recruitment ideas.
South Paramus location. This was
that teacher’s advocate.
When dealing with open mic nights, I
going to be the largest store in the area
started reaching out to teachers early to
- including eight lesson studios and a
This is not a popularity contest, but if
generate excitement and preparation,
performance space. Whether I was ready
you come in and hide in your studio, the
which lead to our very first open mic
or not, I was going to dive head first into
store has a hard time finding students
night having 18 participants: at least
lessons.
for you because they do not know you!
six of our teachers performed as well
How can they promote you if they do not
as students. With family support, our
know who you are?
performance space was full and we were
Let me just throw out there what I learned real quick: Lessons are intense.
left with standing room only. We even
There is so much going on in each
While it is always fun to hang out, the
had customers approach our teachers
studio with different teachers and
sales associates are also there to make
to ask about the program and ended up
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registering students the same day.
Without your input and perspective, how
and what groups you play with outside
Well developed communication is the
could we ever hope to get better? The
of teaching. They want to know what has
key to success. Our open mic was proof
more my teachers reach out to me with
been successful in your studio in case
of that. I started with an email blast of
any questions, concerns, or thoughts
another teacher needs advice. They want
the event, then met with each teacher
on studio growth, the better I can be for
to troubleshoot before issues grow into
to discuss student participation as well
them and the lesson program.
massive problems. They especially want
as who wanted to show off a bit. Hey,
to know if there is anything they can
you are amazing musicians too. It’s
What is the common factor?
do to improve your students’ musical
nice to stretch those musical muscles
So, why is communication so important?
journeys.
and solo from time to time. The most
Without you giving your input, store
important part of these discussions is
managers have difficulty running a
If you take the time to speak with your
your feedback. What worked out well?
successful program. It is that simple.
store staff, and take the time to become
What was not that great? Honesty is
The store needs to know who you are as
familiar and part of the team, you will be
another key, so I very rarely get the
a basic foundation. They would love to
so much more successful in your studio.
response of “it’s fine” out of my teachers.
know who your musical inspirations are,
D A N I L E L L E N A C I N O V I C H started her musical career in third grade when she was “encouraged” to take French Horn in band - an endeavor that would have been better if she had practiced. She did what she could for six years, but found a much stronger home in the choir. A graduate from Coker College, she gained extensive knowledge working with words earning her a Bachelor’s degree in English, but still included coursework in Music Education. That, combined with her customer service background, has been invaluable in growing the Lesson Program - despite being right next door to Guitar Center. With intense drive and a whole lot of sass, Danielle strives to enhance every customer’s experience and have them leave with a greater appreciation for music.
Congratulations Mr. Linney! We recently heard from a proud M&A teacher from the Huntersville, NC store location. Here are photos of Alasandro Linney with two of his students, who were recently offered the job of Concertmaster for three All County Orchestra events in the area. Mr. Linney went to see his students perform and to support their musicianship. Do you have rock star students? Share their successes with us by emailing lessons@musicarts.com. We want to celebrate!
ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS: Start scheduling Easter make up lessons now! Make sure you communicate all make up lessons with your store manager so charges can be added before EZ – Pay runs for April. March 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 5
In The Arts with Laura: What Do Music Directors Want in a Private Teacher? BY LAURA ZOLFO, M& A REGIONAL LESSON MANAGER
programs to ask: With whom do you
the class will study or perform.
recommend your students take lessons?
Private lessons should be an
And Why? There were some amazing
opportunity for students to have
consistencies, and I was pleased to find
an individual connection with their
that The Lesson Studio is on the right
instructor and their instrument.
track. I felt it important to share some of these learnings with you as well!
•
Safe and Professional. This should come as a no-brainer, but it’s
•
Teach only your primary
worth mentioning. School teachers
instrument. The Jack-of-all-Trades
need confidence that parents and
is no longer desirable. Directors
administrators will approve of these
More and more, Music & Arts is utilizing
want teachers who are highly
endorsements. If an administrator
the diversity of our multi-channel
qualified on the instruments they
were to sit in on your lessons,
business to connect with, and appeal
teach. They know they’re not subject
would they be impressed? It seems
to more customers. What does that
experts on every instrument. They
political, and it is! It’s their career
even mean? Multi-channel refers to
rely on the private teacher, who is a
and their name too.
the various ways a retailer sells to the
specialist on the instrument, to fill
consumer. For M&A, it’s our retail stores,
in the gaps and help keep students
The goal of our School Services
online, email and social media, school
growing.
campaign is to better connect our vast network of school programs with our
services team, and catalogs. •
Teach curriculum specific to the
vast lesson program. We’ve learned that
This quarter, we’ve launched a campaign
instrument. Much of the work that
when a customer rents an instrument
with our School Services team to seek
goes on in school ensembles is
and takes lessons, they stick with both
out the types of teachers they want
generalized and fitting for a group.
services nearly twice as long than if
paired with their music students, and in
The ensemble music and “the
they only utilized one. As we continue
turn, promote M&A teachers in the local
band book” is not enough. They
to use our multichannel resources to
schools.
want studies, etudes and literature.
grow lessons and rentals, it’s important
Private lessons are specific
to ensure we’re offering what customers
instruction for the specific student.
want: Great Teachers, who Inspire
To prepare for this project, we went
Learning.
straight to the source. I had the opportunity to chat with some school directors from various areas and
•
Motivate and Inspire. Students (usually) never have a say in what
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 | March 2018
Students Are People First B Y TA N YA T H I E L K E , V I O L I N I N S T R U C T O R I N G E R M A N T O W N , M D
Each Sunday morning while my family
teachers said negative things purely to
As teachers, we can follow our instincts
sleeps in, I get up to prepare for a day
denigrate. It happens. I am not talking
and make the most out of small
of teaching. I’m fortunate to have a
about tough love moments that cause a
moments of time, by choosing to see
quick commute and a group of students
Hollywood movie style turning point. I
the person and letting them know we
I genuinely enjoy spending time with.
am talking about a cut down that feels
see them. One student less than two
I leave that extra time in the morning
just as fresh in the mind decades after
months ago seemed painfully shy
to clear my mind and think about each
the fact. Thankfully, there are also the
and sometimes downright petrified
person that will come in, one after the
inspiring and positive teachers who
to even try something new. During a
other in increments of 30 minutes that
are points of light that still shine in
recent lesson he was achieving things
can feel impossibly short. A big part
an adult’s memories. As teachers, we
he would have deemed impossible in
of my job is to make that time work for
should take these stories very seriously
previous weeks. That realization struck
both of us. That involves the necessary
and deeply consider the legacy that we
me; I thought: “Wow. This is huge.” I
structure of the lesson, leading them
want to leave in the minds and hearts of
paused, looked him in the eye, and said
through the steps of warming up,
our students.
“Remember when you thought you couldn’t do this?” I waited for that light
playing, assessing, suggesting, repeating, explaining, demonstrating, and refining.
I think of it this way: Fate has brought
bulb moment, and then the big grin.
These things are all expected of me. But
me together with this unique person for
He remembered. I don’t know if he will
I have come to expect something more
this period of time. I know something
remember twenty years from now. But
from myself as a teacher.
about the inevitable curveballs of
I’m going to remind him every time it
adolescence and being an adult; I’m
happens.
As private teachers, we have a unique
going to take this opportunity to build
relationship with today’s young people
this person up, in whatever way I can.
that is not duplicated elsewhere in their
As adults, they may discover too late
lives. One on one focused time with
that there is joy in learning things
anyone is in short supply, if it is there at
without striving for perfection. So I will
all. I feel I owe it to my students to let
show them how to have fun engaging
them in on the biggest secret of music
this instrument even when it seems
lessons: They aren’t really just learning
not to cooperate. As adults, they might
an instrument or exploring their love
realize too late that their assessment of
of music. They are learning about
themselves is more important than that
themselves. That is, if we let them, by
of any authority. So I will show them
showing them how.
they already know what their abilities are. Tragically, as adults, they might
Childhood experiences, even brief ones,
realize too late how much fear of failure
both positive and negative, have long
has shaped their choices in life. So I will
lasting effects. Inevitably, the challenges
show them it’s ok to take chances, big
of adult life find us referencing those
chances, and to embrace and learn from
experiences. I have talked to many
any result. I will never let them leave my
professionals in a variety of fields who
lesson feeling like they failed.
can all too vividly remember the times
T A N Y A T H I E L K E is a composer and violin instructor with over 20 years of private teaching experience. Her approach is studentcentered, built from a diverse set of experiences as a performer, composer and teacher. She has earned a BA Cum Laude in Violin performance and a Master of Music in composition from the University of MD, and an interdisciplinary Masters of Fine Arts in Composition from Bard College. Her performance experience ranges from freelance ensemble and studio work to composing and performing solo music scores for theatrical productions. Tanya’s goal as a teacher is to empower students to take ownership of their learning process, so that they can continue to develop their own lifelong connection to music, in whatever form they ultimately choose.
March 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
rounded as possible. Use this time to
right off the bat. Pick anything that you
button up any concepts that you started
feel is appropriate. Mixing it up from
so that you’re completing your time
learning the basics and hearing a song
together on a high note.”
come together will help the student feel
Q “I really want to learn more about
Q “I have a handful of students that
encouraged.
teaching adult students. Can you give
This approach works for all students
me some tips?”
but adults may not have anyone
A “Absolutely, yes! 15% of the students at M&A are adults and this category
are about to graduate high school and is growing. The first thing I can
else encouraging them the way that a younger student might have with parental interaction. You’ll be the student’s primary source
move away to pursue their degree in
recommend is to fully connect with your
of encouragement. Please don’t
college. I’m sad to see the students
adult students, similar to your other
underestimate the power of your
go, but I’m also wondering how to
students, but also different. Typically
role in the lesson. Adults have more
make the most of the next couple of
adult students are nervous when they
responsibilities and often deprioritize
months’ worth of lessons that they’re
start lessons but for different reasons
lessons for other things. If an adult
signed up to take with me before
than younger students. Adults often feel
student knows they’re making progress
they leave. Unfortunately, none of
like they’re starting their instrument
or not, they’ll be able to hit their goals
my students are studying music in
late in life and may have had a bad
more easily.”
college. What should we go over
experience with learning music or
together?”
with a teacher in the past. Find ways to
Q “I feel like the relationship I have
connect with your adult student(s) by
with my Store Manager is tense. I
asking questions about their favorite
want to make it better, but I’m not
approach this situation. The first thing
music and the specific instrument that
sure where to start.”
to consider is how to help that student
they’ve chosen and why they’ve selected
continue their progression with the
to learn that instrument. Next, ask what
A “The best piece of advice I can
instrument as a hobbyist, playing
the student’s expectations are for the
give, is to schedule time with your
for overall enjoyment. Learning new
lesson and set some goals. Have they
Store Manager (off of the sales floor) to
pieces vs. new concepts that you may
always wanted to learn a certain song?
discuss your concerns and start building
not be able to finish with could make
Do they aspire to be like an artist that
a stronger relationship. The goal
your remaining lessons together more
they enjoy? Start goal setting early, at
would be to become partners, working
enjoyable and productive.
the first lesson. Have a conversation
to increase the number of students
If the student wants to continue and
about their expectations for when they’ll
learning music in the store together.
potentially perform with a community
achieve their goals. It’s important to
Each of you have a vital role to the store
ensemble, church, etc., do they have
be realistic with progress during this
and your studio’s success. If you’re
the skills to play as a soloist and with
conversation. It’ll also help the student
uncomfortable with this conversation,
an ensemble? Think through any
stick with their instrument longer. Help
you can also connect with your District
knowledge that you want to impart
the student achieve results quickly by
Manager to relay your thoughts and to
on the student so that they’re as well
giving them a fairly simple song to learn
work as a group vs. one on one.”
A “There are a couple of ways to
8 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | March 2018