Class Times and Materials

Class times for 2nd year are:

• Tuesday 3:20-4:15 on August 28th

• Tuesday 4:30-5:25 on August 28th

• Tuesday 5:40-6:35 on August 28th

The class materials that you purchased will be sent to me and will be available for pickup at Parent Orientation the week before class begins.

Calendar

Here is a link to the digital calendar. This calendar indicates parent days, kid-only days, and weeks when we don’t have class. It can also be found on the 2nd Year Resources page of my website.

Music Access

Since you have already purchased your class materials, you now have access to the album soundtracks for the Green Turtle Shells and Yellow Arrows semesters. You can start listening now!  Download the Let's Play Music app (iPhone link and Android link) or you may also download the music files onto your computer or another device via this link. (Whenever accessing Let's Play Music content, you will use the same credentials you used when selecting a class and purchasing materials on the Let's Play Music website).

Parent Orientation

In mid-August I will send you a link to a mandatory digital parent orientation. This orientation will be a Google form with a series of videos and questions. It should take no longer than 45 minutes to complete. You may watch this on your own time; however, it must be completed before you pick up your child's class materials the week before classes begin. 

We will have a brief in-person Parent Orientation meeting on Tuesday, August 20 from 6:00-6:30pm so I can give you your materials, go over some important housekeeping business with you, and make sure we get all your questions answered. This mandatory meeting is for parents only--ideally, the one that will be attending class with your child. Please put this on your calendar.

Studio Policies

When you filled out my studio's registration form, you agreed to my studio policies. If you need to refer to them, you can find them on the Student Resources page of my studio website or click here.

Parent Days

During 2nd year, parents attend class about once a month on lessons 1, 5, 9, 13, and 15. Siblings are still not allowed to attend. This policy is important because the distraction can make it difficult for other members of the class. Also, I have limited space in my home studio, and there just isn't room for extra bodies on parent days. If there is ever a day when childcare falls through, your child can still attend without a parent.

Tuition

Tuition will be due on August 27th. I will send you an emailed invoice before that date. You may pay the invoice via PayPal or card. Tuition is $280/semester and this tuition will stay the same throughout your child's three years of Let's Play Music. You may choose to pay the entire year ($560 on August 27th), by semester ($280 on August 27th and January 1st), or by month ($70 charged on the 1st of Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, and Apr).

Buying a Piano or Keyboard

Here’s some info for any of you that have not yet procured a keyboard. You'll be needing this for daily practice, right from the first class, so here's a link to the article I sent you a couple of times last year on how to choose a good keyboard or piano. I'm happy to answer questions and discuss this with you if you'd like some help with it, so please don't hesitate to reach out! 

The most important criteria is that the keyboard have 61 full-sized keys, so your child's hands will become comfortable with the correct keyboard geography from the start. The keys do not need to be weighted for Let's Play Music. However, if piano is something you're wanting to continue with after Let's Play Music, then it will probably be worth getting an acoustic piano (if you have the room, this is always my first choice), or a nice electronic piano with weighted keys and a sustain pedal, right from the get-go, or you'll be needing to upgrade in two years when you transition to piano lessons (which is also totally fine, if it works best for you to do it that way). There are many used options available on marketplace and ebay, if you'd prefer not to purchase something new. For new ones, Costco has some good options. If you are looking for an acoustic piano or a nice electronic piano, I'd recommend going down to Welch Music or Dunkley's to try a few out, talk to the experts, and get a feel for what you like, as every instrument has a unique touch to it.

Practice Reward System

I'm excited about the fun reward system I've chosen for practicing this year! YOU will be the one that rewards your child for practicing (yay for more parent/child bonding opportunities)!! 

Here's how it works: you (or you and your child together, either way) will decide on 5-10 things that your child would find rewarding. It could be anything--you know your own child better than anyone. Some things that others have used have included staying up late, a chore-free day, ice cream, a toy from the dollar store, a parent/child date or a fun activity together, a favorite food or dessert, a toy they've been wanting, money--get as creative as you like--the possibilities are endless. You'll write each of the decided-upon rewards on a 3x5 card or piece of paper and put it in an envelope with your child's name on it. Then when they have filled up one of my practice charts (they'll get a stamp for each day they practice, up to 5 per week), I will give the child one of the envelopes you've given me, that has the reward listed inside. 

I like this system because it doesn't take extra time in class, you know what is motivating for your child better than I do, and it's one more way of nurturing the parent/child relationship, which is one of our core values. 

Please bring your envelopes to me at the  Parent Orientation. Then I will pass them out as they are earned, throughout the year. When we run out, you can create some more.

Please reach out if you have any questions!