PIANO LESSON NEWS AND UPDATES
JUNE 2021
May 2021
1485 S. COLORADO BLVD. SUITE 130
720-708-3251
admin@denverama.org
February 2024
NEWSLETTER
Happy Valentine's Day
“Before you marry a person you should first make them use a computer with slow internet to see who they really are.” -Will Ferrell
“Remember, your Valentine’s card shows you care enough to send the very best, even though you’re too lazy to put it in your own words.” – Melanie White
"Oh, here's an idea: Let's make pictures of our internal organs and give them to other people we love on Valentine's Day. That's not weird at all." -Jimmy Fallon
“Would I rather be feared or loved? Umm… easy, both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” — Michael Scott, The Office
WELCOME NEW STUDENTS!
AMELIA HOFFMAN
CALLUM GRANT
ELEA GRANT
ISLA BACHMAN
JASPER SASSI
KAYA NASH
LUKAS NASH
NICO FIRMINE
Student of the Month January 2024
If our newest Exceptional Student of the Month looks familiar, it's because you've seen her before. Helen Alexander has won Student of the Month in 2021 and 2022 as well. She started taking piano lessons when she was only 4 1/2 years old! She will turn 9 on Valentine's Day, which means that she has been playing the piano half of her life! Check out the video to see a clip of Helen performing in her very first recital. It is SO adorable!! CONGRATULATIONS HELEN!
CONGRATULATIONS
Helen!
How to Win Student of the Month
• Focus during lessons
• Follow directions
• Have a good attitude
• Practice and come to lessons prepared
• Show initiative to learn and improve
• Attend at least 4 lessons in one month
• Be ready to perform the song you are working on
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.
1ST PLACE: Leo Cole
2ND PLACE: Simon Woods
3RD PLACE: Helen Alexander
WAY TO GO!!
JANUARY PRACTICE DERBY WINNERS:
PRACTICE TICKET RAFFLE WINNERS
1st ticket = $25
LILA HELFFENSTEIN
2nd ticket= $15
GWENN HEGEL
3rd ticket = $5
ROBBIE PHINNEY
Thank you to Alicia for picking the raffle
tickets this month.
Win the Pin!
A New Weekly Incentive
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Students will be given a music worksheet to take home each week based on their level of understanding.
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The worksheets are designed so that students may need to research the answers or get help from parents.
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Topics include: Music Theory, Music History, Composers and Music Trivia.
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The worksheets are not mandatory but those who choose to complete them will be entered into a weekly drawing.
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Students who get more than 2 answers wrong on the worksheet will not be eligible for that week's drawing. Blank answers = an incorrect answer.)
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The winner will get to choose a pin of their choice to keep.
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Check out all the new pins!
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Fun to wear on your jacket or put them on your book bag or music bag.
February
Birthdays
Fiona Stewart 2/1
Charlie Meyer 2/6
Helen Alexander 2/14
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Pajama Pizza Party Concert
Sunday March 10th at 5pm
All performers must wear PJs.
Spring Break
Let your child's teacher know which week
your child will not be attending their lesson.
Spring Recital
Sunday, May 19th
Time TBD
From Miss Michele's Bench
You've probably noticed that this month's newsletter is a late by a couple of weeks. I'm really bummed about that because it's important to me to provide quality and consistency in my work. But, unfortunately, while I was working on this, I had a family emergency and had to leave town. I appreciate all of your support, kind words, thoughts and prayers and your understanding. It really lifts my spirits when I think about all of you wonderful people in my life!
I would like to welcome all of our new students this month! I'm so happy that you will be joining our little community and starting your musical journey with us! I would also like to thank all of you who gave us a referral. It truly is the most sincere compliment!
We are still planning on having our PJ/Pizza Party/Concert on March 10th. It will be similar to the Costume Concert that we had in October. We will have pizzas, desserts, adult and kid-friendly beverages, group games, raffles and students will be performing in the background. This gives students a chance to perform without the pressure of having a room full of people staring at them. It's the perfect opportunity for students with stage fright to help overcome their anxiety.
Students can perform whatever song(s) they are comfortable with and any musical parents/siblings/family/friends are also welcome to perform something. The only catch is: performers MUST wear Pajamas; however, all are encouraged to wear their PJs. I will be sending a link to the online RSVP later this week.
Please encourage your child to participate in our "Win the Pin/Earn the Pin" contest because the worksheets are a great way to learn music theory. Students can look up the answers on the internet or get help from others. Taking the time to answer the questions will help students internalize the concepts that we talk about during lessons and the worksheets will also help us teachers figure out the things that we need to focus on more.
BTW, I want to take a moment to thank you for helping support Cousin Dave! His followers and number of plays are climbing everyday! His latest single "Full-time Family Man" will be released on February 16th! Check it out at:
https://www.davehensonmusic.com/
I realize this post is all over the place. I usually try to write something that is helpful, or cohesive, at the very least, but I think we are going to have to wait for the March Newsletter.
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Best,
