PIANO LESSON NEWS AND UPDATES
JUNE 2021
May 2021
1485 S. COLORADO BLVD. SUITE 130
720-708-3251
admin@denverama.org
NEWS AND UPDATES
MAY 2023
WANT
$50?
Musical Summer Fun!
This will be our third year putting on our Musical Arts Summer Camp and we have students returning for the third time because it's so much fun!
We'll do acting, singing, dancing and kids will learn how to play the ukulele, group handbells, drum rhythms and musical games like "name that tune" or "what's the next word in this song" or "what instrument is this?" They will write their own plays and compose their own songs and there's a performance at the end of the week.
We only accept 10 kids in each camp so register today before the week you want fills up!
Anyone enrolled in our Musical Arts Summer Camp will earn $50 off their tuition for every referral who also enrolls in our Musical Arts Summer Camp!
EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL 2023
Are you doing everything right but you didn't get chosen for Student of the Month?
Keep in mind there are over 60 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
LUCAS H.
Lucas and his brother, Max, started taking piano lessons in June 2022. Max was named student of the month in January and now big brother, Lucas, has earned the award as well! Lucas is super smart and enjoys the challenge of learning new songs, scales and chords. He even conquered the snowman peg game that's on the table at the studio. He is also the go-to guy for technology related issues. Lucas is an impressive piano student too. He puts in the time and effort to keep improving and he learns very quickly. Watch the video to learn more about Lucas and to hear him play.
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
May Raffle Winners:
$25 1st Place = John D.
$15 2nd Place = Felix M.
$5 3rd Place = Lydia B.
Thank you to Felix 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= Presley Sullivan (35)
2nd Place Tie = Isabella Ditzenberger & Simon Woods (29)
3rd Place = Fiona Stewart (27)
May Birthdays
Emilio E. 5/5
Simon W. 5/12
Connor W. 5/17
Elsa P. 5/26
Mark your Calendar:
Miss Michele will be out for son's wedding
May 4th, 5th and 8th
Abby may be available to teach Michele's students during her absence. Check with Michele to reschedule.
DAMA Musical Arts Summer Camp
Registration is now Open!
Recital Rehearsal
Friday 5/19 6-7pm
Saturday 5/20 10:30-11:30am
Rehearsals are not required but highly suggested so students can practice performing.
Spring Recital
Sunday, May 21 Time 2pm or 4pm
Please mark your calendar and save the date! We will have either 2 groups starting at different times in the afternoon. Recitals are an important part of learning music. Please make every effort to attend.
Memorial Day
Monday 5/29
DAMA is closed. No lessons that day.
Summer Schedule Begins
June 1
Students may cancel 2 lessons during the summer at no charge. Please let your child's teacher know as soon as you know your cancel dates so we can reschedule other students too.
Check the policies/procedures page on the website if you will be out for a month or more and still want to reserve your child's day/time slot in the Fall.
There are no practice raffles or Student of the Month awards from June-Aug.
From Miss Michele's Bench
Last month I told you about 2 DAMA students who participated in Colorado's Rising Stars Competition. First, I want to say how proud I am of Presley and Simon. They showed so much courage and fought through the anxiety that is inevitably part of their first competition. From the start, I wanted them to know it's not about winning. It's about gaining experience as a performer. It did not matter to me if they played their very best or their very worst. It was about being prepared and being there. And, since the judges are teachers, their comments were helpful feedback.
I learned a LOT from this competition. I learned that the students performing weren't just serious about piano. They seemed to be playing at levels that could only be achieved by complete dedication, or, I can probably safely say, obsession. I witnessed some high school pianists who were playing so masterfully that I wondered if they devoted their entire childhoods to practicing. I wondered how many competitions that had been in to get to that performance level. I guarantee you that this wasn't their first competition -maybe not even their tenth. I don't know how the judges were able to choose a winner. They were all amazing!
Now that I know what is involved in participating in the Rising Stars competition, I will gladly work with our most dedicated students to get there. It will take many hours of deliberate practice and possibly longer lesson times or multiple lessons in a week. I will also look for festivals and other opportunities so more students can perform in a non-competitive environment too.
Speaking of performing, our spring recital will be here before you know it. There will be two groups. One group will start at 2pm and the other at 4pm. Please let your child's teacher know which group you prefer and if it's a "must" or a "prefer" request. I will do my best to assign students to the group they want but I have to assign the students who MUST do a certain time first due to other important commitments. Also please let us know how many people in your party will be attending.
Please make an effort to have your child perform for you as often as possible this month. Record them on your phone and play it back for them. The act of recording makes it feel like they only have 1 shot to play it and so it simulates a real performance. It is also helpful for them to do some exercise before playing. The purpose is to get the heart rate up so they can learn to work through the mental and physical challenges of playing if the heart is beating faster than normal.
The best advice I can give for beating the jitters: feel prepared. This means extra practicing this month. If your child isn't one to hop on the bench of his/her's own accord, please step in to remind them that they will want to feel prepared and so they must practice more than their usual amount.
I want this recital to be a celebration of the time and effort students have put into their music this school year. Just like at the competition, I don't care if they play their best or their worst. It's about gaining experience by playing for others. Plus, unlike competitions, there will be refreshments. :)
BTW: A very happy Mothers' Day to all our DAMA moms. Make them spoil you!
Best,