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Frequently Asked Questions Phoenix Feather Academy of Music Release The Musical Fire Within You |
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F.A.Q. - STUDENT STUFF - OUR PROGRAMS - WHY GROUP LESSONS? - ARE YOU READY? - OUR TEACHERS
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Where is Phoenix Feather Academy of Music? Our address is 25432 Trabuco Road, Suite 204, Lake Forest CA 92630. We are at the corner of Lake Forest and Trabuco...In the Ralphs Shopping Center...Park in front of Togos...Go up the stairs...Keep to the left...We are on the side of the building facing the UPS Store Link to Mapquest Why Do You Recommend Group Lessons Instead Of Private Lessons for Younger Beginners? A group setting provides excitement, friends, and inspiration during the first difficult 3 - 5 years of piano/keyboard lessons. After completing the class, we encourage students to continue with the private instructor of their choice. More Detailed Information Why Do You Teach SOLFEGE (do re mi) Singing? Solfege is the language of the well-educated musician. When we sing the solfege syllables while reading notes or playing the keyboard, we develop a strong sense of tonality and relative pitch. Each solfege note sung strengthens the connection between what is heard, what is seen and what is played. Singing solfege teaches us to internalize the music. With time, and practice, you and your child will begin to hear the notes that you read before those notes are even played on the keyboard. Why Do You Require Parent Participation? Since 1987, we at the Phoenix Feather, have been committed to providing a well-rounded music education to each and every one of our students. Parental involvement is a vital part of the learning process. Intensive research, begun in 1983, has proven that success in children’s music education is directly linked to high levels of parental involvement - both in the lessons and during practice-time at home. Researchers found that parent participation is the key to whether the child persists or gives up. They found that musically-successful children have parents who are involved in lessons, speak to the teacher, take notes, and supervise practice, often for up to 15 years. For more information about this important research about parent participation in general education as well as music education, please read the 2004 Cambridge University Press publication of “Learning the piano: a study of attitudes to parental involvement” by Jenny Macmillan More Information When children start music lessons, they are still very young and they do not understand that a few minutes of hard work each day can lead to tons success and happiness (even the "Older Beginners"). One Mommy helped her daughter understand this with the example of the clean room: "...if we straighten up our room every day, it only takes a minute or two, but if we leave it to the end of the week, it seems to take forever to get it clean!" We, as the adults, know this, but the children will not learn it unless we require them to be consistent in all of their daily chores and work. Practicing the piano is WORK - it is not, and never was, a fun activity. Playing the music that we have mastered through practice is the fun part - that's why it's called PLAYING). - Merriam-Webster's definition of PRACTICE - to perform or work at [a task] repeatedly so as to become proficient - to train by repeated exercises - Merriam-Webster's difinition of PLAY - recreational activity; especially : the spontaneous activity of children 100% of the time, children - whose parents establish and maintain consistent, daily, proper practicing - are happy in class ... of course! Performing successfully, and knowing all of the answers tends to lead to feelings of success and fulfillment. For more detailed information on practicing, please click here: Practicing How Much Practice Time Is Required At Home? Kids and Music (ages 4 - 6) Home practice is not required Kids and Keyboard (ages 6 - 8) 6 days a week - 15 - 20 minutes with a parent is required Bigger Kids and Keyboard (ages 9 - 11) 6 days a week - 15 - 20 minutes with a parent is required Do I Need A Keyboard At Home? Yes, yes, yes!! You will need a keyboard with full-sized keys with at least 5 octaves (5 sets of "two-black-keys" and 5 sets of "three-black-keys"). A well-tuned piano, an electronic keyboard, and an organ are all perfect. If you would like to buy a piano we highly recommend Fields Piano (888) 907-4266 How Many Children Are In Each Class? We have room for 14 children and their parents in our 900 square-foot classroom. Each child sits at an individual keyboard and the teacher "patrols" the room to be sure that students are playing correctly. How Long Is The Program? Kids and Music (ages 4 - 6) This is an ongoing class - you may stay as long as you like. Kids and Keyboard (ages 6 - 8) takes 5 1/2 years to complete. You may continue through the entire Kids and Keyboard program and on into private lessons (as long as you and your child are practicing), or you may stop the lessons at any time. There is no long-term financial commitment. Bigger Kids and Keyboard (ages 9 - 11) takes 5 years to complete. You may continue through the entire Kids and Keyboard program and on into private lessons (as long as you and your child are practicing), or you may stop the lessons at any time. There is no long-term financial commitment. How Much Performing Will My Child Be Required To Do? Each child must play every song he/she learns, by memory, for the class (Kids and Music students, age 4-6, do not perform). In the beginning, Ms. Kirsten takes it slowly and teaches your child about performing with love and humor. Children become accustomed to performing very quickly. Most parents tell us that after a few months - with proper practicing and preparation - their children are not even nervous. Can All Phoenix Feather Students Participate In Concerts? Yes - mark your calendar to sign up - we'll see you there! Student Concerts Do I Have To 'Sign-up' For Each Level Of The Program? No. Once you are enrolled, as long as you and your child practice, you will progress through the 5+ years with the same group of children - no additional 'sign-ups' required. ENROLL ONLINE Do you have family (sibling) discounts? No. We keep our prices low for everyone (up to $28.00 less per month than other local music schools). More Information About Class Schedules and Prices |
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Phoenix Feather Academy of Music - Established 1987 |