Brill Music
Academy

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

February 1, 2012

In This Month's Newsletter: Spotlight on Our Teachers "My Own Time" - article Welcome to Our New Students SINGING VALENTINES Student Birthdays in January

WE WILL BE CLOSED ON THESE DATES: Nevada Day - Oct 28 Thanksgiving - Nov 24, 25 Christmas Break - Dec 19 - Jan 1 (Lessons resume Jan 2) Spring Break - Apr 1 - 7 Memorial Day - May 28, 29 Spring Recital - Jun 16

Please welcome our NEWEST students! Ben Lurie Shawn Miller David Ottuwa Cindy Barry Colton Christman Maria Villanueva Myra Villanueva Anna Irwin Alec Miller Anthony Rossi Bernard Tracht Jill Tirinnanzi Adam Henshaw Natalie Buechel Emerton Moore Cambri Stef Talon Stef Amanda Avery Take advantage of our new Referral Program and earn a FREE LESSON!!

Gift Certificates

Any time is the right time to get that favorite person in your life a Brill Music Academy GIFT CERTIFICATE for music lessons. Call or see us for details!

702-212-8745

Welcome to our MONTHLY NEWSLETTER!

Thank you for checking us out on the internet. We hope that our monthly newsletter and other information will show you that the Brill Music Academy is the best choice for your music education. Stop by and see us any time.

Spotlight on Our Teachers

 Bill Degenkolb
Woodwind Instructor

Bill taught for over 35 years in all fields of Music K-12 (general music, junior high vocal, senior high vocal, elementary band, junior high band and high school band), directed church choirs for 20 years, and is the owner of a Band Instrument Repair Shop here in Las Vegas. (www.WoodWindWorkShop.com)

A. What is the thing you like most about teaching?
To me, teaching is a personal challenge to see the improvement and progress of a student.

B. How do you inspire your students to practice more?
By telling them personal stories. Each time they play through a lesson in their method book and I approve it, I let them know that they truly did an outstanding job. Praise and positive reinforcement are incentives to practice more.

C. What is your favorite type of music?
I really don’t have a favorite style or type of music. I’m very open to all genres of music.

D. If you could give a quick tip to woodwind students or music students in general, what would it be?
You have to work for everything in life and there are always rewards for those accomplishments. Anything worthwhile in your musical life takes consistent practice. Success doesn’t come overnight nor does it come easily. Work hard now and enjoy what you have accomplished for years to come.

Is Your Teacher Sold Out?

Many teachers have sold out. If you need a schedule change or would like to be added to a waiting list for a particular teacher, day or time, please contact any of our office staff team and they can add you to the waiting list.
There are still limited lesson spots available. To inquire about openings, please e-mail us at
1stacademyofmusic@gmail.com or call us at 702-212-8745.

Here is a partial list of who's currently full:

Refer a Friend & Get A FREE Lesson!

SHARE THE NEWS: If you would like to share upcoming events, great information, or anything that would be of general interest to other students and parents, please feel free to submit it for possible newsletter publication to: 1stacademyofmusic@gmail.com.

My Own Time
Karen Suedmeier

So you just had your first piano lesson? Wonderful! Now what??

Your teacher wrote down your assignments and told you what to practice. Sometimes it’s still a little confusing, though. How do I go about practicing? What would be the most efficient use of my time? Here are some tips to make the most of your practice!

Practice every day if possible, or at least 4-5 times a week. Keep it short and sweet, if needed. If you only have ten minutes, that’s okay… use them!

Read through the song first before you start playing. Check out the hand position, speed and style, and other information that you’ll want to know. Tap out the rhythms on the piano lid and pretend you’re a drummer! This helps your brain process the patterns.

Take it slow!
Speed will come with time, but focus on accuracy in notes and rhythm.

Work on small sections.
Don’t try to conquer the world at once! Learn the first line or two, and then start adding more as you feel comfortable.

Which time(s) of the day do you feel most alert?
Plan to do your practicing during those times. Some people love playing to warm up their brains before school; others do best playing to wind down after work.

Take it apart.
If you are having trouble with a certain section, refrain from repeatedly starting over at the beginning until you get it right. Take a moment to really pinpoint the problem area. Work on it in small sections and then begin to put the piece back together.

Have fun while you play!
This is important! Relax and enjoy creating music. Try playing in a new place on the piano, or even crossing your hands. If you make a mistake and it sounds neat, try to figure out what you did and make up a cool new song! Finish up your practice time by playing something you love, and don’t worry if you make mistakes. You’ll be rewarded as you make consistent progress!