charlotte piano teachers – Page 2

New Christmas Books

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Heather Brunner

As a piano teacher, I spend a lot of time playing music that isn’t mine. It’s rare that I get to play the piano for pure enjoyment of the music and it not be a project of some variety. Well, it’s that time of year again. It’s time for Christmas music! I love piano Christmas music. If you saw my music library you would probably think I’m a little crazy. So when I was at Music and Arts 2 weeks ago and saw new Christmas piano books, that was it. I had to have some new books.

First up is Simply Christmas by Jerry Ray. Now you have to understand. Christmas with Style by Jerry Ray is just about my favorite Christmas book to play from. The arrangements are great and not overly difficult. So when I was Simply Christmas it was meant to be. I was not disappointed. This is a great book.

The second book I picked up was O Come, Let Us Adore Him by the publisher Lillenas. Lillenas published my favorite hymn arrange book so I thought this was a pretty sure bet. This book was obviously made for church pianists. It includes transitions between every song. The arrangements are pretty and very playable.

So there you go, I am already playing and teaching Christmas piano music. The recital is only a month away. I should go practice.

Summer Lessons Are Now Being Scheduled

Posted on May 2, 2012 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.

A Funny Student Story

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Heather Brunner

A few years ago, I had this cute little boy as a student. He was about 4 years old and totally not interested in playing the piano. Every week he would come into his lesson and sigh. Then he would look at me and say “I miss my Daddy.” Of course I would ask where his dad was and the little boy would say “Working.” So for months, I just assumed that the dad worked up town and that he and the little boy were just really close.

In the spring, the little boy bounced into the studio one day. “My daddy is coming home, My daddy is coming home.” A few weeks later he came back in to his lesson and said “My daddy had to go back to work.” I finally decided to ask where his dad worked. The student replied “Utah.” Really? OK that’s a little odd, but sure. I figured the kid was pulling my leg.

A few more weeks go by and the little boy comes to another lesson and says “My mommy and daddy are both in Utah. It’s important at work.” My curiosity got the better of me and I asked the student “Well, what does your daddy do for work?” His answer-

“My daddy plays basketball.”

Yep, the student’s dad played for the Utah Jazz. He was so excited when the season was over and his dad could bring him to lessons. He didn’t like piano any better, but it was just better all around because “My daddy’s bringing me to my lessons now. He doesn’t have to work until later.”

Practice Pays

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Heather Brunner

In October, Brunner Studios ran a practice contest. Students with perfect practice would get a gift bag. As it turns out I had 2 students with all gold practice star for the month and 5 that tied for a 3rd place prize. Since I only had 3 gift bags, I added up the total minutes of the students that were tied for 3rd place and awarded the gift bag to the student who had the most minutes.

In addition to Frank here, there was a ghost and a pumpkin. The gift bags included pencils, note pads, stickers, notebooks and Halloween socks.

Congrats students on the consistent practice!

What is the Best Time of Year to Begin Piano Lessons?

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Heather Brunner

What is the best time of year to begin piano lessons? Often we think about the age the student is but not about what else might be going on in their lives. As a teacher who likes to pay her bills, I say that any time is a good time to begin piano lessons. Smile However, there are some times during the year that the transition can be a little smoother.

1. The weeks leading up to school starting. This is my personal favorite. The students begin to build good practice habits and are not overwhelmed with so much new material from school and piano lessons.

2. The weeks after school starts. You are building your schedule for the year and can get the time that works best for you.

3. Right after the new year. The student got a keyboard or piano for Christmas. The school year is getting back into the swing of things and the newness of the gift is still there.

4. Summer break. Everyone’s schedules are more flexible and there is less homework. You can even schedule multiple lessons per week to really get a great start.

5. Late Spring. This is my least favorite. Everyone is so busy with end of the year tasks that sometimes it is hard to establish those good practice habits.

As we are approaching mid-summer and fall isn’t so far away, go ahead and give some piano teachers a call and see what their schedule openings are like. Piano lesson are for all ages!

Piano Assignment Sheets Update

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Heather Brunner

Today I added a Beginner Piano Assignment Sheet to the Resources Page.

Also on the Resources page you will find the Piano Assignment Sheet and the Technique Assignment Sheet.

Please feel free to use these in your own studio.

What Qualifications Should a Piano Teacher Have?

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Heather Brunner

Last week we talked about how to find a piano teacher. Another part of finding the right teacher is making sure they have good qualifications. So what qualifications should you look for in a piano teacher.

1. Does the teacher have a degree in piano or music? This could be a Bachelors, Masters or DMA of Music in Performance, Pedagogy or Education. While a degree in music doesn’t always make a good teacher, it does ensure that the teacher has gone through a rigorous course of study in their field.

2. Does the teacher belong to professional organizations? This could be NCMTA/NMTA , NFMC, or the National Piano Guild. For more local examples, the teacher might belong to their area piano teachers forum or guild. Most of these organizations have membership requirements and teachers must meet them to have different levels of membership.

3. Can the teacher supply you with examples of musical achievement for themselves or their students? Have the students placed well at local festivals and competitions? If it is a younger teacher, did the teacher place well in the same competitions?

4. Can the teacher supply references?

5. Is the teacher active in the local music community? Teachers need good contacts. If they are participating in the musical community, then they are more likely to hear of opportunities for their students.

So for an example, let’s look at my qualifications:

Heather N Brunner

Charlotte, NC- Piano Teacher

Educational Background: BM and MM in Piano Pedagogy from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Number of Years Teaching: 10

Professional Memberships:

1. NMTA, NCMTA and Charlotte, NC chapter of NCMTA.

2. NFMC

Student Participation:

NCMTA Charlotte Area Festival-

NCMTA Western State Festival

NFMC Festival

NFMC Scholarship Festival

Current Community Participation:

NCMTA Festival Charlotte Area Chair 2012

NFMC Scholarship Festival Charlotte Chair 2012

Accompanist for local high school choirs

Piano, Voice and Oboe Lessons in Charlotte, NC

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Heather Brunner

Summer is an exciting time to begin piano, voice or oboe lessons in Charlotte, NC. Brunner Studios offers extreme flexibility in summer scheduling and standard lesson times during the school year.

Why should you start piano , voice or oboe lessons in the summer? Many people’s busy schedules slow down in the summer when the kids are out of school. This gives the student, whether young or mature, the chance to be more focused and to get grounded in the basics before the more regimented school year starts back. Back to school is difficult enough without starting a entirely new activity to boot.

Students who take summer piano, voice or oboe lessons at Brunner Studios get priority registration for fall lesson times. Schedules are tight during the school year, so start lessons now to get a jump on those prime-time slots.

New piano, voice and lesson times available starting June 14 are as follows:

Mondays- all day availability

Tuesday- 10:00- 1:00- come to a lesson before hitting the pool in the afternoon

Wednesday- 5:15-8:30- have a lesson after a day of fun filled activities

Thursday- 10:00-2:00- take a break from the heat of the day

Friday- all day availability

Monday and Fridays are now available due to higher than anticipated demand for lessons.

Please contact Brunner Studios about setting up your lessons today!

heather@brunnerstudios.com

iPad hits the studio

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Heather Brunner

Shhh. I have a secret. Although I knit, sew, scrapbook and plant a garden, I am a techno-junky. My newest acquisition is a 1st Generation iPad. I got a great deal at Best Buy since the Gen 2 is out and it was an open box.

So lets review an app that I’ve found that is very useful…and free. This the Ludwig Metronome app. Let’s examine the features.

Do you see the slightly shaded circle within the wheel? This is where you select the tempo you want. Just keep your finger on the circle and scroll around the dial. The tempo and its term appear in the center of the circle. The box with the lines at the top is a flashing indicator of the beat. You can use the flashing light in conjunction with the ticking sound or alone. Just select the speaker button with the x to turn the sound off and on. To start the metronome use the Play button on the left.

At the bottom you will will see 4 buttons. The one of the left shows 4/4. This is the time signature that the metronome will tick to and give an accented down beat. 2/2, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 3/8, 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8 are available. To the right, you will see the options of Manual or Tap. To use the scroll wheel ,select Manual. To tap in the correct tempo, select tap. This would be a great feature for kids who don’t yet understand how the numbers relate to the tempo. They can tap in the speed they want to go and the metronome selects the tempo. Finally, the gear button allows for customization of the features.

This is a great app and fun for the students to use. Anything to keep students counting gets an A in my book.