Welcome to Melody Piano

I am fairly new to piano teaching. I am now coming up on rounding off my second year. Due to this, I am constantly learning new things about the teaching world. 

Regardless of my methods (Music is like language, you have to have precedence in judgement)

I recently had a great conversation with a fellow piano teacher that I have been networking with in Arizona. We were speaking of the dreaded economy that has effected each and every business person lately. To be more concentrated about the issue, we were discussing more candidly about how the sad drop in the economy has effected private piano teachers. 

Dan Starr is an amazing individual.  I recently came across his line of publications that work towards the bettering of music educators.  I am only into the first book from his collection, and I know that it will help to better my studio as a whole.  

Oddly enough, Dan and I were on the same page. A teacher with MUCH more experience than me was on the same page with me about how to deal with the financial value of our profession! To his credit, This individual has been teaching 20 years! He had even made a joke saying, "When I first started teaching (ouch-20+ years ago!)". 

I completely commend him. When I find out that sombeen contributing to education for this long, it gives me hope for my own career. We were talking about the value of your method of teaching. When the economy is bad, sometimes business will panic and lower their prices to the point of desperation. My thoughts?

If you know that you are offering a service or product that is of great value, there is no need to do this. It is understandable to try to adjust to what is happening in this day and age, yet you know that someone is "That much more serious" about their own or their child's musical education if they are still willing to pay the deserved priceless quote of education.

 

 

 

 

 

I am very proud to say that I recieved my formal induction certificate on behalf of the Metropolitan Detroit Musicians League on Monday, May 17th.  I was presented my award by Newly appointed director of the board for MDML, Nataliya Kruglik. 

I have been a member of this fine institution since February, 2010.  Although I had my formal induction ceremony on Monday.  As new of a member that I am,  I have already learned so much about my profession in a very short time. 

I would like to give a large congratulations to the newly appointed board of directors for next year.  Congratulations to
Keith Gamble, Nataliya Kruglik, and Robert Phelps! 

I will be posting much information in the coming weeks about Ensemble Festival, and MDML's student recital that my studio will be participating in.  I am very exited to be a part of these wonderful activities.  I am exited to let my students talent shine!

CONGRATULATIONS to good friend and fellow colleague Meri Dolevski-Lewis!  (Canada)

I had a wonderful phone conversation with Meri the other day about a student of hers.  "Being that I don't have a degree in my profession, this was something of a triumph for me", says Meri.  What is this accomplishment you wonder? 

Meri has had a student that has worked hard to get into a program for her university's music program.  This is a student that My colleague Meri has invested in;  this investment is one that makes us as music educators more than proud to do what we do every day.  Meri has been preparing for her student's achievement exams for a long time coming. 

I remember speaking with Meri about this student.  She had told me that this was a student that was very passionate about becoming an accomplished musician in her field, yet did not have the funds for training. 

What did Meri Do? 

She found a solution!  She has told me time and time again that this is a student that she feels will "go all the way". 

Meri was right!  She told me that she needed help with her paperwork, and administrative duties at her studio.  What better person could fit the job?  Meri hired this determined student to be her administrative assistant.  In return, it would cover the cost of lessons for her.  WOW did it pay off! 

Meri Dolevski-Lewis; has shown us all as teachers that it is important to remember that we do what we can with what we have.  I more than respect her teaching methods.  Every time that I speak with Meri, I leave the conversation with a feeling of ambition for my own studio.  This is a teacher to look out for!  I can honestly say that she inspires me!

I spoke with Meri about this student the other day.  She more than passed her entry exams for University in Toronto.  She has recieved a 50% scholarship with exeptance to her school due to her exam markings! 
From the United States to Canada (our friendly neighbors)

Melody Piano gives Clariniano Studios of Canada a High Five! 

I will be posting news about Meri Dolevski-Lewis' studio's in the News section of Melody PIano's website periodically. 

To learn more about Meri Dolevski-Lewis' studio, Please visit her You Tube Channel.  Meri frequently posts quarterly recitals and much more here.  

Melody Piano is going National! I am so happy to announce that I was newly accepted to the MTNA. The Music Teachers National Association. This is a great honor because I just know that it is going to help better my studio and what I can offer my students. This will keep me quite busy getting my studio ready and "up to par" with National music studio requirements.
 
Knowing how intelegent all of my students are, I know that they will have no problem keeping up with national equivelency standards. Not only will I be attending the Music Teachers National Association in 2011 in Milwalkee, but I will be attending regular state and local conferences as well.

It is very important to me to make sure that I am doing the best job that I possibly can to better my students awareness in music. I want to make musicians, not just piano players. LOL! I belong to the MDML, which is my local branch for conferences and competitions. I am exited to start getting my students ready for such events as these.
 
Here are some of the things that I will be going over with my fellow colleagues while attending regular conferences:
1.To better understand the workings of an association
2.To plan for long-term stability of the association
3.To strengthen “The MTNA Connection”: The link between local, state and national levels
4.To deal with crucial issues confronting the association 5.To determine MTNA’s role in the future of the music teaching profession Due to this recent membership acceptance, All students at the Melody Piano studio will have all curriculum focused towards both state, an national level standards.