enAbling others to experience the Joy of Playing Piano

The Process 

Relax... if you're lost with all these steps, focus your attention on #5, #7, & #8, the others can follow

Read through the list and take one step at a time

1. Call or e-mail Karen to find out about availability in studio

2. Lesson Observations (highly recommended)

3. Read articles on this website

4. Read Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education, by Shinichi Suzuki (Order online from your favorite bookstore)

5. Purchase a copy of Volume 1 & 2 Suzuki CD Valerie Lloyd Watts Performing and start listening in the car, during play- time, naptime, realizing that passive listening is like hearing speech over and over... , here is the link for Piano Lane where you can order it online: www.pianolane.com Use the search engine and type in Suzuki piano 1, then scan down to find Valerie Lloyd Watts in CD version

6. Other Piano books to purchase: Music for Little Mozarts Lesson Book 1, & Workbook 1 (the workbook is good for children who enjoy coloring and using a writing utensil) Suzuki Piano School Book #1 (This is used by the parent mostly, when you get it, please don't be alarmed by its complexity

7. Schedule a Parent/Teacher Conference with Karen.  It's best to have both mom & dad without the child.  It lasts between an hour to an hour and a half.  This sets up the foundation for good team-work and gives you as parents the History & Philosophy of the Suzuki Method that Karen blends into her teaching, why she uses it with most students and, the structure of the lessons, explaining the parent's Coach-Approach, and WHAT YOUR CHILD GETS out of the experience...MORE THAN MUSIC :)

8. Schedule a lesson time that works for your family.  Think ahead for the Fall & Summer (summer is flexible with Karen.  Summer hours can be scheduled all in one week or spread over the summer around any summer plans that you might have)

9. Familiarize yourself with the yearly piano Calendar  including individual lessons, group lessons almost monthly (usually the last week of the month in place of individual lesson, and at least 2 recitals throughout the year.