PIANO LESSON NEWS AND UPDATES
JUNE 2021
May 2021
1485 S. COLORADO BLVD. SUITE 130
720-708-3251
admin@denverama.org
NEWS AND UPDATES
NOVEMBER 2022
HAPPY GRATITUDE MONTH
OUR WINTER RECITAL IS
DECEMBER 11, 2022
We will have 2 groups of students. The first group will start at 2:30pm and the second group will start at 4:00pm. Please let your teacher know if you have a preference as to which group you prefer. We will do our best to accommodate your request but we can't guarantee it. Also, please let us know how many people will be attending in your family. Each recital should last about an hour. Refreshments will be served. The recital will be held at our facility.
There will be a rehearsal on December 9th at 6pm and December 10th at 10am. It is not mandatory but we highly recommend students take advantage of the opportunity to play in front of each other before the recital and to get a feel for the big piano. All pianos feel differently so it's helpful to play on it before the actual recital. Performing is a skill that must also be practiced just like practicing your instrument. No need to register, just drop-off kids. We prefer that parents don't stay for the rehearsals but if your child feels they need your support, then it's okay to stay.
99% of students feel anxious about performing in recitals and this is NORMAL. In rehearsals we talk about things that we can do to help calm our jitters and one of things we talk about is to NOT shoot for perfection, but shoot for our personal best. We talk about changing our mindset from trying to impress others to trying to express ourselves and give others the gift of our song. If your child has severe anxiety about performing, to the point that they are refusing to participate, please talk to their teacher. No one will make them perform, but we encourage them to come to the recital and witness other performances so they can see that it can be a positive experience.
EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER 2022
Are you doing everything right but you didn't get chosen for Student of the Month?
Keep in mind there are over 50 students enrolled in DAMA and students who are chosen have worked exceptionally hard or have showed exceptional initiative. It's a difficult decision to make and sometimes it comes down to whether students who have been working on a piece are ready to perform it yet or if they had to cancel lessons during the month. It is not about who is the most talented or who has the most potential. It is about honoring the student who stood out because of their work ethic, attitude and initiative.
Be sure to talk with your teacher if you have questions or concerns.
CONGRATULATIONS
HELEN A.
You may recognize Helen because she won Student of the Month back in April 2021. She started taking lessons with Miss Michele when she was just 4 years old! Helen also won the Practice Derby this month! She received 33 tickets for October and she learned 2 challenging songs this month. Helen has such a great attitude and she's so fun to work with because she has a great sense of humor. She loves playing practical jokes on Miss Michele! Helen and her Mom, Tessa, came in to talk with us. Unfortunately, her Dad, James, couldn't make it to our interview. But we talk about schooling and her hobbies and she plays the songs that she learned this month. Congratulations Helen! Keep up the great work!
How to Win Student of the Month
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Focus during lessons
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Follow directions
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Have a good attitude
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Practice and come to lessons prepared
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Show initiative to learn and improve
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Attend at least 4 lessons in one month
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Be ready to perform the song you are working on
October Raffle Winners:
$25 1st Place = Eli L.
$15 2nd Place = Lila H.
$5 3rd Place = John D.
Thank you to Isabella for picking the tickets.
Raffle tickets are picked on the 1st of the Month. Students 7 and younger receive 1 ticket for every 15 minutes of practice. Students 8 and older receive 1 ticket for every 30 minutes of practice. 1 ticket is awarded for each lesson.
The student with the most tickets at the end of the month will receive a medal.
Practice Derby Winners:
1st Place = Helen A. (33)
2nd Place = Presley S. (32)
3rd Place Tie = (23)
Isabella D.
Simon W.
Jacob L. 11/1
Alex R. 11/1
Nicholas C. 11/6
Bella I. 11/16
Presley S. 11/17
Miss Michele 11/19
Jona S. 11/26
November Birthdays
Mark your Calendar:
DAMA Unplug Club
Tuesdays, 3:30-5pm
Every week -No need to register!
Friday 11/14 GROUP Make Up Lesson 6-6:45pm
Open to students who had to cancel a lesson (In Sept. Oct. or Nov.) and were unable to reschedule.
No need to register!
Thursday & Friday, November 24th & 25th
Thanksgiving Break - No lessons
Winter Recital
Sunday, December 11th
2:30 or 4:00 (2 groups)
December 26th- January 1st
Holiday Break - NO LESSONS
The UnPlug Club
1st game session FREE!!
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Participation is open to all kids age 8-14
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Game Sessions are Tuesdays 3:30-5pm
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Snacks are provided
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Board games, cards, puzzles are acceptable.
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Games on electronic devices are not acceptable.
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First Session is FREE!
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Sessions cost $7 one child or $10 per family (up to 3)
From Miss Michele's Bench
Today, I received a plaque in the mail from The Denver Award Program. Its purpose is to support and offer public recognition of the contributions of businesses and organizations in and around Denver. We were honored as being chosen as the music school for the Denver 2022 Award. I would just like to thank whomever nominated us! It feels so great to be recognized as making a difference in our community!
I would also like to thank Katie Rose Ford and Jeff Gleason for teaching with such compassion and sharing your knowledge and love of music with our students. We truly care and want to make sure our students, not only achieve their musical goals but that they also know that we are here for them as mentors in life as well.
As always, thank you so very much for the opportunity to work with your children. We are grateful for each and every one of you!
Hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!
Best,