Piano Lessons for Grown-Ups

Are you a grown-up who has always wanted to learn how to play the piano?
Well then, I have some very good news for you!

Playing the Piano is Positively Possible!

But you're wondering how you would even take the first step?

Interest in learning to play the piano is the initial step to success!

You think you might be too busy for such a venture? Maybe not.

Allowing for practice time in your daily schedule will be your best ally.

Now you might be thinking that you're too old for such a new skill?

New piano skills develop new brain connections. (and that's a really good thing for when you're getting older.)

So you say you really are thinking about that maybe some day you could do this?

Only you can organize your time to give yourself this gift! And you besides, you deserve it!

Now you might be thinking this could be too difficult. I'm not gonna lie:

Learning a new skill and a new Language at the same time is laborious.

(Did I mention there might be a reward for your labor?)

Earning a reward works for adults as much as it does for children!

(So, do you still want to learn how to play the piano?)

Did you know that there are...

Some songs that you could learn to play right away?

and there are Other ways to own the experience that only you can do!

Sooooo, if you've been thinking about this throughout your lifetime....

a New Adventure is waiting for you and no time like the present!

The Gift That Keeps On Giving

You’ve probably all heard the phrase “give the gift that keeps on giving”.  Advertisers use this phrase for many products and tell us that everything we buy is worthwhile; that if we would only buy their wares, we would be “happier, smarter, more satisfied”. However, the reality is that those promises rarely come true. The product breaks down, gets used up, or eventually bores us.

These days, I’m thinking about a gift that I received as a child that truly has been “the gift that keeps on giving”. When I was 11 years old, my father bought a piano for our family. He then paid for piano lessons for all five of us children. I continued my study of the piano throughout college and became a music educator out of my passion for giving away the gift of learning to play an instrument. I’ve used my gift to provide piano music for schools and churches, soloists and choirs. To this present day, my desire to keep learning new music and my love for playing the piano goes on.

Giving students the gift of learning how to read music (so that eventually they won’t need a teacher to show them how to play that new piece of sheet music) brings me joy. Seeing the journey from beginner piano player to advanced level is genuinely fun! As well as, having the student who has begun the journey, decides at some point it’s not for him or her, but leaves with a new appreciation for everybody else who has stuck with it and learned to play an instrument.

As I reflect on the past 44 years of piano playing, I can remember that my father and each of my music teachers truly gave me “the gift that keeps on giving”. I can honestly say learning to play the piano has made me “happier, smarter, more satisfied”.

Happy New Year! May you discover all that you need for the journey ahead!

Oh, and one more thing, how about adding 10 more minutes to whatever skill you need to practice!

Kodaly and Me: my teaching philosophy

Kodaly and Me:

In 1991, I received my Kodaly music certification from Westminster Choir College. This highly specialized music educator training prepared me to put into practice the philosophy and practices of Zoltan Kodaly (1882-1967), a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, educator, linguist and philosopher. His work was extremely influential in the development of my own philosophy of music education.

Here is the Essence of KODALY’S PHILOSOPHY:

1. Music is for everyone.

2. The voice is the instrument. (Note from Esther: “I know, I know, I hear you Zoltan, but sometimes you just gotta play an instrument, like the piano for instance, to accompany the voice. And besides, the piano is a voice like no other!)

3. Start young - develop sense of aesthetics.

4. Use good music literature.

5. Music is food for the soul. (Without music you are not a complete person.)

6. All music learning should be appropriate to the age level & developmental level of the student.

Here is the Essence of my Personal Philosophy of Music Education:

I believe the study of music and the active participation in music-making significantly contributes to the development of the mind, body and spirit. It is my responsibility as a professional music educator to create an environment in my studio where each student is given the opportunity to develop his or her gifts and abilities. All students must be encouraged to achieve their full potential in the areas of listening, creating, exploring, problem-solving and performing through a consistent, developmentally appropriate, sequential and well-taught music curriculum. Music appreciation, musical literacy, rhythm, melody, harmony, form, part-work, inner hearing, improvisation, memory, singing and instrument playing are all skills that can be developed in each student to produce a truly joyful experience of personal success and mastery.

Mrs. Esther Schutz, M. Ed.

Piano Teacher

88-keys of possibilities

Esther Schutz Piano Studio

Grand Opening September 2013 

610-608-7194

eeschutz@gmail.com

Private piano lessons for students ages 5-95 taught by Mrs. Esther Schutz, M.Ed.
Beginner thru Advanced Levels
Weekly 30-minute lesson
$25.00 per lesson

88-Keys of Possibilities:
Creating a space where each student will enjoy learning to play the piano at their own pace.

Mrs. Schutz has been playing the piano since the age of 11. She thinks anyone can learn to play the piano if given the time and tools to match their individual learning style. She has been a music teacher since 1980 in both public and private schools. For the last 8 years, she has taught high school music at the Avon Grove Charter School, West Grove, PA.