My schedule for Fall 2014 is full, so I am currently not taking any new students.  It is on one hand really exciting to have put together a full studio of bright, creative students in the span of a year, but it is also a little disappointing to have to close my schedule to prospective students.  Please let me know if you’d like to be added to a waiting list or if you would like some advice on other musical experiences for young children in the Arlington and Lexington areas.

Performing is such a huge part of music – we want to share what we love about the songs we play, to show off our skills, and to have something to show for our hard work and dedication to our instrument.  So having to perform for others should be an exciting and fun experience.

But when someone throws out the word “recital”, people tend to shudder.  I found many parents sharing stories of having to walk onto large stages alone, feeling nervous prior to playing, and being upset afterwards because they had made mistakes.  It really made me think about the  stereotypical traditional recital experience.  How can we prepare students for performing in a holistic, child-centric way?

The first step in playing for others is to be comfortable playing in front of peers (preferably, friends.)  To that end, I invited my piano students over at the end of the spring for a Piano Party.  Many of the students had not played in front of anyone besides their parents.  Since this would be such a new experience, I tried to keep everything as familiar as possible, including squeezing 15 kids (and some parents) into my apartment where we have lessons.  The children were allowed to pick any song they wanted to play, and we pulled names out of a basket to see who would play next.  There were still some children who were very nervous, but we also got to talk as a group about the performance experience, and how to act as a performer and as an audience member.  This was so much easier to do in my living room than in a large unfamiliar space!

I was so proud of everyone, and it made me more determined than ever to make performing an integral part of our learning experience.  My grand plan for the coming year will be a few more piano parties throughout the year, culminating in an actual spring recital.  My hope is that my students will come to see performing as joyful and exhilarating, and will look forward to hearing what others are working on and sharing their own learning with their friends and family.

Just in time for Halloween, Moonstruck Theater Company presents “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham.  I am so incredibly happy to be working with the Moonstruck team again – I love how passionate these people are, and their talent and creativity never cease to amaze me.  I’ll be playing keyboard 2 (aka “that sweet organ solo” and the “wa-ka-wa-ka-wa”) during next weekend’s productions.  To whet your musical appetite, here is a video from their live show at the WERS studios in Boston:

For tickets, directions, or to learn more about this wonderful group, check out Moonstruck’s website.

“… I think it’s suppertime!”

Here at my little music studio, there’s been an exciting change – I finally have an acoustic piano!

This beautiful upright has been with me since I started playing piano.  It has player piano parts (which do not work, but are really interesting to look at), a clean action on the keyboard, and a colorful resonant sound.  Students have spent the past couple weeks exploring the components and learning about how a piano works.  I’m so glad to have it in my house – it’s like having an old best friend come to live with me!

Are you looking to make your or your child’s daily life a little more musical?  Autumn is a great time of year to start learning an instrument!  I have many openings available for private piano lessons: Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays in Arlington, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Framingham.

Unsure if private lessons are right for your child?  I offer a complimentary introductory lesson in my Arlington studio – it’s a wonderful way for you to see the materials I use, tour my fantastic living room, and give your child a taste of what a private lesson will be like.  Email me for more details: jess@jesswestmusic.com!