Author: Heather Brunner

Levels That Challenge the Teacher

Posted on by Heather Brunner

Last week I asked a student what goals they wanted to set for the coming school year.  Finding what excites and challenges a high school student can be something of a challenge.  The student answered that taking the Carnegie Hall Achievement Program exams was at the top of the list.  This was followed by playing a ‘real’ classical music piece. 

Now you have to understand, I don’t give my students ‘fake’ classical music pieces.  The student was meaning that they wanted an independent piece not from a book or set of pieces.  I think this is an admirable goal.  However, the student is smack dab in the middle of intermediate music.  Talking about challenging.

The pieces that I can think of easily that this student would student love are too difficult right now.  The student wants to branch out from the classical era which is something of a niche for them and produces the best results.  This particular student really dislikes modern music.  Talk about frustrating perimeters. 

Intermediate music is the most difficult for me as a teacher to select.  How to find the most exciting piece?  How to keep it challenging but not too difficult?    What new skills can be learned?  How long should the piece be? 

I think I will need to consider this a treasure hunt and dig deep into my music library.

Summer Lessons Stats

Posted on by Heather Brunner

Summer is always a tricky time for music teachers.  You want your students to continue taking on a normal schedule if possible but many families travel extensively in the summer.  So as a teacher you have to be prepared for the drop in pay during the summer months.

The past few years I taught piano, voice and oboe at a school of music here in Charlotte, NC.  It seemed like a pretty good deal as far a summer lessons went.  Students were required to take 6 lessons in order to obtain VIP registration for the fall.  People would twist and turn their schedules and gripe and complain, but mostly they seemed to fit those lessons in.  Only 1 or 2 of my 35 odd students would take more than 6 lesson.  Everyone was just so busy in the summer.  On the surface, it seemed beneficial to have a required amount of lessons.

Fast forward to this summer.  I am teaching exclusively from my home studio and I was really worried about how summer was going to pan out.  While not wanting to pressure students into lessons, paying my bills is important as well.   So, I highly encouraged my students to take lessons if they were in town.  If they are traveling, don’t worry about it and you don’t pay for that lesson.  However, if you are here I expect to see you in the studio those weeks if at all possible. 

Talk about surprising.  Almost all of my students are taking a full schedule for the summer.  We are moving lesson days to accommodate summer plans, but the students are really stepping up to the plate.   The flexibility of being able to change lessons with little notice is really keeping the lesson going. 

So fellow teachers I would encourage you to give your students a little wiggle room in the summer.  They might surprise you with their dedication. 

Summer Lessons

Posted on by Heather Brunner

Just a quick update on scheduling summer lessons.  Most of the late evening lesson times for days other than Tuesday are almost full.  If you think you want an evening lesson time, contact Brunner Studios as soon as possible.

 

Brunner Studios is dedicated to providing quality piano, voice and oboe lessons for the greater Charlotte, NC area.  Musicianship and technique go hand in hand.  Using the Carnegie Hall Achievement Program which is the equivalent the Royal Conservatory Program, student have a road map to follow for the skills they need to develop to become accomplished musicians.

 

Whether a beginner, intermediate, or advanced student, Brunner Studios can help you hone your talent.  Children and adults alike are welcome for lessons. 

Clearing Out the Shelves

Posted on by Heather Brunner

Last week I had a little bit of a snap.  My studio book cases are so full and there is literature on there that I just don’t use.  A few hours of work later, there was a huge stack of music that someone might like.  So this week I am having a music sale.  The students can pick whatever they want and the prices are 50 cents to $1. 

My book cases look a lot better now and it is much easier to find what I need.  Getting new music is always fun and getting new music cheap is even better.  How have you gotten rid of excess music or grown your collection in an inexpensive manner?

Summer Lessons Are Now Being Scheduled

Posted on by Heather Brunner

How did May get here so quickly?  School will be out soon and vacation is just around the corner.  That means it is time to start thinking about your summer lesson plans. 

 

Piano, Voice and Oboe lessons at Brunner Studios run year round.  Summer lessons have a slightly different policy.  As always lessons are paid for at the start of the month.  However, you will only need to pay for the lessons that you take.  I encourage my students to stay on an as normal schedule as possible, but I know there are lots of extracurricular activities in the summer.  Lesson times are available in the morning as well as the evening.

 

Brunner Studios has lesson availability but the time slots are going quickly.  Call or email now to set up your summer lesson schedule. 

Spring Recital

Posted on by Heather Brunner

The spring recital is finally scheduled!  It will be May 19 at 3:30.  Miller Piano on Independence Blvd is the location. 

 

More details to follow.

Spring Break

Posted on by Heather Brunner

It is spring break here in Charlotte, NC for the CMS school district.  Yes, we are having lessons this week.

In fact, this week would be a great time to schedule a trial lesson for piano, voice, or oboe.  As a teacher, I find it very important to meet and evaluate potential students.  It isn’t an audition but a chance for me to see what methods might work best for the student and what a student might already know.

As always, trial lessons are free at Brunner Studios.

Give Brunner Studios a call to see about scheduling your trial lesson.  Even if you don’t want to begin lessons until school lets out for the summer, now is a great time to meet.  Students of all ages are welcome. 

Contact information is: 704-787-4644 or heather@brunnerstudios.com

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The Little Engine That Could

Posted on by Heather Brunner

You know what is great?  When you get a student who just works at a steady pace.  The child isn’t doing anything spectacular or anything out of the ordinary, but is just doing the work.  The next thing you know, the student has zipped through 3 levels of books in less than a year. 

Keeping working!