Mornings in the studio this week are abuzz with activity as five high school students and I gather for a week of Piano Camp! Each year I try to do something different that specifically addresses the interests and/or needs of my students. Right now, I have quite a few high school students who are considering music as a long-term vocation or avocation. In light of that, I decided to offer Pursuit of Music, a week-long daily camp focusing on five specific areas:
- Essential skills for every pianist
- Developing and Implementing Entrepreneurial Ideas
- How to Succeed and Make an Impact in the Professional World
- How to Plan and Teach Musical Concepts to Others
- Developing a Gospel-Centered Vision for Music
Preparation for Piano Camp is always a very time-consuming process, but it is so enriching to think more deeply about a variety of topics, explore new resources, learn new things, and plan out each day’s lesson. In the process of reading to prepare for tomorrow’s class, I came across this statement that I absolutely love:
“…what you do with your talent and how it affects the lives of others is more important than the aptitude itself.”
~David Cutler, The Savvy Musician, pp. 300
Hi Natalie,
What you’ve done with your talent is amazing & I’m so honoured to be within the circle of influence of your ideas & principles. You are the perfect person to write about that topic. Thank you very much, Natalie!
Beth
Hello Ms. Natalie,
As a high school pianist (and student teacher) I would LOVE to attend a camp like this. Please pass on any recommended reading material you may have stumbled across.
Thank you,
Victoria
Hi Natalie,
I stumbled across your website in June and have benefitted so much from reading your blogs. Not only so, your blog has led me to several other piano teachers’ blogs that are of so much help for me right now. I am new to teaching piano and is currently transitioning from my part-time job/part-time teaching piano to full-time teaching. Your Music Piano Camp sounds exciting and fascinating. As I was thinking about the vision for my piano studio and teaching, one of the area you focused on in your camp caught my attention “developing a gospel-centered vision for music”. I have never thought of music or teaching in that way. I’ve only thought of and aim to build a studio and teach to glorify God. I just wondered what your thoughts are on that area you mentioned, or if you have questions that I can consider as I develop the vision/direction of my music studio & teaching, or will you be making this piano camp’s materials available to purchase.
Much appreciated!
A piano camp really sounds like a great idea. I have never done one before but I think it will give students more time to focus on developing their piano playing skills. Natalie, please let me know how effective the camp was as soon as you are able to.
All the best!
Carlinton
Piano camps are a great idea for getting students to take lessons during the summer.