Music & Arts | Sound Teaching | March 2018

March 2018

SOUNDTEACHING NEWSLETTER FOR LESSON TEACHERS @ MUSIC & ARTS

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Tips for More Fulfilling, Productive, and Enjoyable Lessons

Bringing Out the Best in Each Student

Be Vocal!

Communication is Key!

Students Are People First

Tips for More Fulfilling, Productive, and Enjoyable Lessons

BY BRIAN ASHMORE, TRUMPET INSTRUCTOR IN CONYERS, GA

Many of our students have dreams of

feelings can hinder a student’s progress

being on a big stage playing for huge

and motivation. Our goal should be

crowds and being perfect, but they don’t

to create an environment of honesty

know how to get there. They don’t have

with our students, one where we can be

a plan on how to achieve that huge

truthful about mistakes and things that

goal. That’s where establishing 3 types

need improvement, as well as giving

of goals becomes important. Students

positive feedback. Letting your students

need to have Short Term (weekly), Mid

know when they aren’t meeting the

Term (monthly/yearly), and Long Term

standards that have been set for them

(life-long) goals. My lesson assignments

will drive them to do better. Constructive

always involve short achievable goals

criticism will always encourage students

As music instructors, we all find

for the week. These vary from student

to work harder and get past the issues

teaching enjoyable, especially when our

to student. Some goals may be to play

that have been holding them back.

students have practiced and we can see

two full etudes and some fundamental

clear and quick progress. Unfortunately,

exercises, while others may be eight

These are just a few of the techniques

we’ve all had students where we have

measures of a piece, or even just one

that I use to help give structure to

the same lesson every week and it can

scale. Despite being achievable, these

lessons and motivation to students, but

get frustrating quickly. There are a few

goals should still push students to be

it is important to remember that these

things that we can do to make even

better. Midterm goals tend to center

should be tailored for each student’s

those lessons more fulfilling.

around all-state auditions, college

need, ability, and personality.

auditions, or upcoming performances.

The first thing we can do is have a

We always have something to work

schedule for every lesson. I use five

towards, whether it is within a couple of

“subjects” taught to me by Jay Maurice

weeks or even at the end of the year. For

of Lessons In Your Home: greeting,

long term goals, I refer to the student’s

theory, sight reading, fundamentals,

dreams. They may be years, even

and etudes/solo pieces. During a 30

decades away from fruition, but we can’t

minute lesson, I spend between five

forget that those dreams are the reasons

to seven minutes on each subject and

that got our students into music in the

for 60 minutes, the time doubles. This

first place. When lessons are feeling

may seem like a very short period to

slow or scales are not being practiced,

cover every subject and you may not

giving the student a reminder that these

get to every piece. However, this moves

etudes and exercises are all moving

lessons along, keeps you from lingering

them to their long-term goals.

on an exercise or song, keeps your student from getting bored, and keeps

As teachers in an objective field, we

you both from getting frustrated.

cannot be afraid to be honest with our students. Fear of conflict and hurt

2 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | March 2018

B R I A N A S H M O R E is a trumpet player based in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2016 with his Bachelor of Music degree where he received training in both classical and jazz realms and gained performance experience in both styles. Bryan has performed with the top Ensembles at USC, toured Mexico with the USC Trumpet Ensemble, and performed with two Atlanta Big Bands: The Big Band Contractors and The Sentimental Journey Orchestra.

Bryan is currently the trumpeter for the Atlanta corporate band Surround Sound Band as well as other groups such as the Drive Time Band in Atlanta and Homebrewed.

Bringing Out the Best in Each Student B Y C H A R I T Y F O N D E V I L L A , V O I C E / P I A N O I N S T R U C T O R I N WAY N E , N J

of learning and retaining information.

the live performance. When preparing

Some students prefer to hear what

for a vocal performance, review

they are learning. Some prefer seeing

microphone placement, vocal projection,

or reading information. While some

arm movement, eye contact with the

prefer using their sense of touch or a

audience, smiling, memorization of

combination of learning styles. Find

lyrics, vocal exercises to use before

out the best way to connect with the

the performance and nutrition. The

student. Besides the method books,

best feedback comes from a live

use an iPad and apps/Youtube to make

performance. It reveals to us and the

it fun. It’s up to us to keep students

student what they are good at, what

Nothing is more rewarding than

excited and inspired long after their

they need to improve on and what they

seeing your students experience that

first lesson. Teach technique but relate

need to perform well under pressure. It

Aha! moment. Our job is to nurture

it to something else in life. If you have

is where parents can see and feel at ease

and provide an avenue for students to

a dance background and your student

that their money was well spent. And

express themselves through music.

needs to work on a musical theatre song

nothing is more convincing than seeing

Every time I teach, I have the chance to

that requires dance choreography, learn

your child having fun and performing

make an impact and inspire a student to

it, teach the choreography and show

well. Being present at the recital shows

continue their musical journey. Here are

where it connects with the lyrics and the

your support and concern for the

some tips I use to bring out the best in

music. Last but not least, be yourself and

success of your students. Parents will

each student.

have fun. Have a good laugh with your

notice that and feel confident that you

students. Your students will love that,

are the right teacher for their child.

Arrive early, be reliable, consistant, and

and they will want to come back.

organized. Being reliable and present for each lesson will earn the trust of the

Involve the parents in the practice at

parents and the store manager. Parents

home. Teachers and parents are both

don’t want to worry that you will be

accountable for the success of the

taking off every other week and the store

student. I find that the students who do

manager wants dedicated educators.

well with retaining information have

Arriving 15 minutes before your

parents that encourage them to do their

first lesson helps build reliability.

homework. When the parents arrive, ask

Be prepared and organized. Set up

them how practice is going and what

the studio for your first lesson. Have

are the challenges at home. At the end

everything ready and turned on before

of the lesson, speak with the parent

your student arrives. This way, you are

and reiterate new material that requires

mentally ready, and your primary focus

practice at home.

will be on the student and parent when they arrive.

Showcase your student’s progress in a recital. Invite your students to perform

Personalize the lesson and make it

for an upcoming recital. Customize

fun! Each student has a unique way

the lessons to prepare the student for

CHARITY FONDEVILLA teaches voice and piano at Music & Arts in Wayne, New Jersey.

She studied at New Jersey City University and has been teaching since 2012. She has performed with Philippine Superstars Pilita Corales, Carmen Patena and Jennifer Cuneta as well as with Judy Torres of WKTU and Jocelyn Enriquez “Set U Free/ Planet Soul Album”. Singing in many styles of music ranging from R & B, Funk, Disco, Motown, Hiphop, Swing to Latin, Charity also sings in 4 other languages: Tagalog, Spanish, Yiddish and Italian.

Featured on NBC News 4, WRMN Radio, Atlantic City Weekly, South Jersey Magazine and at The Apollo Theatre “Showtime at The Apollo” as well as on numerous cable television appearances.

March 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 3

Be Vocal! Communication is Key!

BY DA N I E L L E N AC I N OV I C H , M & A S TO R E M A N AG E R I N S O U T H PA R A M U S , N J

students all at the same time. If you feel

sure the lessons run smoothly. They are

like you struggle with your schedule,

your advocates, so help them to help

think about how we feel managing

you. Did you reschedule a lesson with

eight different ones everyday! How

a student? Get the associate involved

do we not go (completely) insane? We

with the planning by going over to the

communicate, obnoxiously so.

lesson board together. There are a lot of working parts, so they will be your best

Why is communication so important?

avenue to make sure the schedule does

Let’s break it down with your key players

not fall apart.

in the store.

Store Manager When I started with Music & Arts in

Sales Associates

In my store, all of my teachers know I

2013, our store did not have a lesson

These are the people on the front line

check my email at least four times a day,

program because we were inside of a

working to find you the perfect fitting

even when I’m not working. I have the

Guitar Center. As a result, for four years,

students. So why not help them out?

crazy habit of feeling like I’m missing

lessons were not at the forefront of my

The easiest way to do so is by having

something and want to stay on top of

mind. My biggest concern was putting

a conversation. Did you know a lot of

everything I can in every aspect. They

the right instrument in the player’s hand

Music & Arts employees are also college

know if I am not in the store, they can

to help them succeed. Sometimes they

students? Ask about their studies

contact me at anytime and I will usually

would come back to the store and tell

and what classes they are enjoying.

get back to them within 24 hours. On

me all about the concert and how their

For example, one of my part timers

the flip side, anytime we add a student

solo went with the new horn. While this

is taking music theory in school. So

in the store, in addition to calling the

was wonderful to hear, it never really

instructors who teach theory check in to

teacher I make sure to follow up with an

resonated with me on a deeper level. It

see how she is doing and if she has any

email, detailing anything I can about

was more about sales than watching the

questions. This not only gives her peace

the new student so my teachers are

player grow.

of mind, it also helps her gauge the

prepared.

instructors’ personality and knowledge, All of that changed when I was

giving her a better idea of how they

This also works very well when trying

promoted to store manager of the new

would work with students and becoming

to come up with recruitment ideas.

South Paramus location. This was

that teacher’s advocate.

When dealing with open mic nights, I

going to be the largest store in the area

started reaching out to teachers early to

- including eight lesson studios and a

This is not a popularity contest, but if

generate excitement and preparation,

performance space. Whether I was ready

you come in and hide in your studio, the

which lead to our very first open mic

or not, I was going to dive head first into

store has a hard time finding students

night having 18 participants: at least

lessons.

for you because they do not know you!

six of our teachers performed as well

How can they promote you if they do not

as students. With family support, our

know who you are?

performance space was full and we were

Let me just throw out there what I learned real quick: Lessons are intense.

left with standing room only. We even

There is so much going on in each

While it is always fun to hang out, the

had customers approach our teachers

studio with different teachers and

sales associates are also there to make

to ask about the program and ended up

4 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | March 2018

registering students the same day.

Without your input and perspective, how

and what groups you play with outside

Well developed communication is the

could we ever hope to get better? The

of teaching. They want to know what has

key to success. Our open mic was proof

more my teachers reach out to me with

been successful in your studio in case

of that. I started with an email blast of

any questions, concerns, or thoughts

another teacher needs advice. They want

the event, then met with each teacher

on studio growth, the better I can be for

to troubleshoot before issues grow into

to discuss student participation as well

them and the lesson program.

massive problems. They especially want

as who wanted to show off a bit. Hey,

to know if there is anything they can

you are amazing musicians too. It’s

What is the common factor?

do to improve your students’ musical

nice to stretch those musical muscles

So, why is communication so important?

journeys.

and solo from time to time. The most

Without you giving your input, store

important part of these discussions is

managers have difficulty running a

If you take the time to speak with your

your feedback. What worked out well?

successful program. It is that simple.

store staff, and take the time to become

What was not that great? Honesty is

The store needs to know who you are as

familiar and part of the team, you will be

another key, so I very rarely get the

a basic foundation. They would love to

so much more successful in your studio.

response of “it’s fine” out of my teachers.

know who your musical inspirations are,

D A N I L E L L E N A C I N O V I C H started her musical career in third grade when she was “encouraged” to take French Horn in band - an endeavor that would have been better if she had practiced. She did what she could for six years, but found a much stronger home in the choir. A graduate from Coker College, she gained extensive knowledge working with words earning her a Bachelor’s degree in English, but still included coursework in Music Education. That, combined with her customer service background, has been invaluable in growing the Lesson Program - despite being right next door to Guitar Center. With intense drive and a whole lot of sass, Danielle strives to enhance every customer’s experience and have them leave with a greater appreciation for music.

Congratulations Mr. Linney!

We recently heard from a proud M&A teacher from the Huntersville, NC store location. Here are photos of Alasandro Linney with two of his students, who were recently offered the job of Concertmaster for three All County Orchestra events in the area.

Mr. Linney went to see his students perform and to support their musicianship. Do you have rock star students? Share their successes with us by emailing lessons@musicarts.com. We want to celebrate!

ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS: Start scheduling Easter make up lessons now! Make sure you communicate all make up lessons with your store manager so charges can be added before EZ – Pay runs for April.

March 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 5

In The Arts with Laura: What Do Music Directors Want in a Private Teacher?

BY LAURA ZOLFO, M& A REGIONAL LESSON MANAGER

programs to ask: With whom do you

the class will study or perform.

recommend your students take lessons?

Private lessons should be an

And Why? There were some amazing

opportunity for students to have

consistencies, and I was pleased to find

an individual connection with their

that The Lesson Studio is on the right

instructor and their instrument.

track. I felt it important to share some of these learnings with you as well!

•

Safe and Professional. This should come as a no-brainer, but it’s

•

Teach only your primary

worth mentioning. School teachers

instrument. The Jack-of-all-Trades

need confidence that parents and

is no longer desirable. Directors

administrators will approve of these

More and more, Music & Arts is utilizing

want teachers who are highly

endorsements. If an administrator

the diversity of our multi-channel

qualified on the instruments they

were to sit in on your lessons,

business to connect with, and appeal

teach. They know they’re not subject

would they be impressed? It seems

to more customers. What does that

experts on every instrument. They

political, and it is! It’s their career

even mean? Multi-channel refers to

rely on the private teacher, who is a

and their name too.

the various ways a retailer sells to the

specialist on the instrument, to fill

consumer. For M&A, it’s our retail stores,

in the gaps and help keep students

The goal of our School Services

online, email and social media, school

growing.

campaign is to better connect our vast network of school programs with our

services team, and catalogs.

•

Teach curriculum specific to the

vast lesson program. We’ve learned that

This quarter, we’ve launched a campaign

instrument. Much of the work that

when a customer rents an instrument

with our School Services team to seek

goes on in school ensembles is

and takes lessons, they stick with both

out the types of teachers they want

generalized and fitting for a group.

services nearly twice as long than if

paired with their music students, and in

The ensemble music and “the

they only utilized one. As we continue

turn, promote M&A teachers in the local

band book” is not enough. They

to use our multichannel resources to

schools.

want studies, etudes and literature.

grow lessons and rentals, it’s important

Private lessons are specific

to ensure we’re offering what customers

instruction for the specific student.

want: Great Teachers, who Inspire

To prepare for this project, we went

Learning.

straight to the source. I had the opportunity to chat with some school directors from various areas and

•

Motivate and Inspire. Students (usually) never have a say in what

ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS: The Teacher Best Practices Seminar is now available online! Use the following link to view the seminar: Teacher Best Practices Seminar 6 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | March 2018

Students Are People First B Y TA N YA T H I E L K E , V I O L I N I N S T R U C T O R I N G E R M A N T O W N , M D

Each Sunday morning while my family

teachers said negative things purely to

As teachers, we can follow our instincts

sleeps in, I get up to prepare for a day

denigrate. It happens. I am not talking

and make the most out of small

of teaching. I’m fortunate to have a

about tough love moments that cause a

moments of time, by choosing to see

quick commute and a group of students

Hollywood movie style turning point. I

the person and letting them know we

I genuinely enjoy spending time with.

am talking about a cut down that feels

see them. One student less than two

I leave that extra time in the morning

just as fresh in the mind decades after

months ago seemed painfully shy

to clear my mind and think about each

the fact. Thankfully, there are also the

and sometimes downright petrified

person that will come in, one after the

inspiring and positive teachers who

to even try something new. During a

other in increments of 30 minutes that

are points of light that still shine in

recent lesson he was achieving things

can feel impossibly short. A big part

an adult’s memories. As teachers, we

he would have deemed impossible in

of my job is to make that time work for

should take these stories very seriously

previous weeks. That realization struck

both of us. That involves the necessary

and deeply consider the legacy that we

me; I thought: “Wow. This is huge.” I

structure of the lesson, leading them

want to leave in the minds and hearts of

paused, looked him in the eye, and said

through the steps of warming up,

our students.

“Remember when you thought you couldn’t do this?” I waited for that light

playing, assessing, suggesting, repeating, explaining, demonstrating, and refining.

I think of it this way: Fate has brought

bulb moment, and then the big grin.

These things are all expected of me. But

me together with this unique person for

He remembered. I don’t know if he will

I have come to expect something more

this period of time. I know something

remember twenty years from now. But

from myself as a teacher.

about the inevitable curveballs of

I’m going to remind him every time it

adolescence and being an adult; I’m

happens.

As private teachers, we have a unique

going to take this opportunity to build

relationship with today’s young people

this person up, in whatever way I can.

that is not duplicated elsewhere in their

As adults, they may discover too late

lives. One on one focused time with

that there is joy in learning things

anyone is in short supply, if it is there at

without striving for perfection. So I will

all. I feel I owe it to my students to let

show them how to have fun engaging

them in on the biggest secret of music

this instrument even when it seems

lessons: They aren’t really just learning

not to cooperate. As adults, they might

an instrument or exploring their love

realize too late that their assessment of

of music. They are learning about

themselves is more important than that

themselves. That is, if we let them, by

of any authority. So I will show them

showing them how.

they already know what their abilities are. Tragically, as adults, they might

Childhood experiences, even brief ones,

realize too late how much fear of failure

both positive and negative, have long

has shaped their choices in life. So I will

lasting effects. Inevitably, the challenges

show them it’s ok to take chances, big

of adult life find us referencing those

chances, and to embrace and learn from

experiences. I have talked to many

any result. I will never let them leave my

professionals in a variety of fields who

lesson feeling like they failed.

can all too vividly remember the times

T A N Y A T H I E L K E is a composer and violin instructor with over 20 years of private teaching experience. Her approach is studentcentered, built from a diverse set of experiences as a performer, composer and teacher. She has earned a BA Cum Laude in Violin performance and a Master of Music in composition from the University of MD, and an interdisciplinary Masters of Fine Arts in Composition from Bard College. Her performance experience ranges from freelance ensemble and studio work to composing and performing solo music scores for theatrical productions. Tanya’s goal as a teacher is to empower students to take ownership of their learning process, so that they can continue to develop their own lifelong connection to music, in whatever form they ultimately choose.

March 2018 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | 7

Inside the Lesson Studio with Hannah

BY H A N N A H B E S T, M & A R E G I O N A L L E S S O N M A N A G E R

rounded as possible. Use this time to

right off the bat. Pick anything that you

button up any concepts that you started

feel is appropriate. Mixing it up from

so that you’re completing your time

learning the basics and hearing a song

together on a high note.”

come together will help the student feel

Q “I really want to learn more about

Q “I have a handful of students that

encouraged.

teaching adult students. Can you give

This approach works for all students

me some tips?”

but adults may not have anyone

A “Absolutely, yes! 15% of the students at M&A are adults and this category

are about to graduate high school and is growing. The first thing I can

else encouraging them the way that a younger student might have with parental interaction. You’ll be the student’s primary source

move away to pursue their degree in

recommend is to fully connect with your

of encouragement. Please don’t

college. I’m sad to see the students

adult students, similar to your other

underestimate the power of your

go, but I’m also wondering how to

students, but also different. Typically

role in the lesson. Adults have more

make the most of the next couple of

adult students are nervous when they

responsibilities and often deprioritize

months’ worth of lessons that they’re

start lessons but for different reasons

lessons for other things. If an adult

signed up to take with me before

than younger students. Adults often feel

student knows they’re making progress

they leave. Unfortunately, none of

like they’re starting their instrument

or not, they’ll be able to hit their goals

my students are studying music in

late in life and may have had a bad

more easily.”

college. What should we go over

experience with learning music or

together?”

with a teacher in the past. Find ways to

Q “I feel like the relationship I have

connect with your adult student(s) by

with my Store Manager is tense. I

asking questions about their favorite

want to make it better, but I’m not

approach this situation. The first thing

music and the specific instrument that

sure where to start.”

to consider is how to help that student

they’ve chosen and why they’ve selected

continue their progression with the

to learn that instrument. Next, ask what

A “The best piece of advice I can

instrument as a hobbyist, playing

the student’s expectations are for the

give, is to schedule time with your

for overall enjoyment. Learning new

lesson and set some goals. Have they

Store Manager (off of the sales floor) to

pieces vs. new concepts that you may

always wanted to learn a certain song?

discuss your concerns and start building

not be able to finish with could make

Do they aspire to be like an artist that

a stronger relationship. The goal

your remaining lessons together more

they enjoy? Start goal setting early, at

would be to become partners, working

enjoyable and productive.

the first lesson. Have a conversation

to increase the number of students

If the student wants to continue and

about their expectations for when they’ll

learning music in the store together.

potentially perform with a community

achieve their goals. It’s important to

Each of you have a vital role to the store

ensemble, church, etc., do they have

be realistic with progress during this

and your studio’s success. If you’re

the skills to play as a soloist and with

conversation. It’ll also help the student

uncomfortable with this conversation,

an ensemble? Think through any

stick with their instrument longer. Help

you can also connect with your District

knowledge that you want to impart

the student achieve results quickly by

Manager to relay your thoughts and to

on the student so that they’re as well

giving them a fairly simple song to learn

work as a group vs. one on one.”

A “There are a couple of ways to

8 | S O U N D T E A C H I N G | March 2018