“If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not you’ll find an excuse.” I’m still pondering the results of the Practice Survey I conducted in my studio last week. It’s interesting to see how many of my students selected the option, “I am too busy; my schedule doesn’t allow time for […]
Practice Incentives
Practice Survey – Free Downloadable Form!
Last week as I was doing my Bible study one morning, I was especially struck by some verses in Isaiah 26: 9b-10: “For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. If favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he […]
How to Motivate Your Kids to Practice Their Instrument
Jason Bernstein, of the Piano Lessons World website, has a helpful post on How to Motivate Your Kids to Practice Their Instrument. He shares 6 specific ideas that are great for parents looking for practical tips on how to help their child be successful. In particular, I really appreciate #2 – Participate in Performance Opportunities. […]
And this Year’s Practice Incentive Theme Is…
An Italian Intrigue: Musical Adventures in Heart, Mind, and Strength Last month I had the amazing experience of spending three weeks in Italy! I decided to do double duty and use the trip to do reconnaissance work for this year’s theme. It was a ton of fun and now I’m excited to take my students […]
September Surprise is Tonight!
All year long we anticipate and prepare for this occasion. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of overkill, but the September Surprise! is definitely a highlight in our studio. Since I take off the whole month of August for brainstorming and planning our theme, selecting new repertoire, and traveling (more of that than the others this […]
The Anatomy of a Practice Incentive Theme
Every year the process looks slightly different, but in a nutshell there are some tried-and-true steps that seem to work for developing a practice incentive theme that will captivate students! In the spring, use year-end questionnaires to collect input on what they liked best and least about the theme, what things they’d like to focus […]
