Piano Pals Lessons—ages 6 and up:
Piano instruction for first and second year beginners. Students must have some reading ability. May be class or individual. Classes meet for 45 minutes once a week, plus 30 minutes of music technology/theory lab for a total of 75 minutes instructional time. Lessons meet for 30 minutes plus 30 minutes lab. (The instructional computer time is generally scheduled directly before or after the regular class or lesson.) Classes are scheduled for afternoon and evening times. Groups will have a maximum of 4 students per class. Each student plays a digital or acoustic piano in class. Students may remain in groups through elementary and intermediate level piano if they wish. Each lesson or class includes some Music Mind Games. Tuition is $61 per month (September-May). 36 lessons are guaranteed.
The group lesson is preferred because
it assures a firm
foundation in rhythm and note-reading. Students are motivated by group
interaction and the longer instructional time allows students to progress more
quickly. However, scheduling concerns make it necessary to offer individual
lessons as well.
Encore Studio has been offering group lessons for more than ten years! Students have shown a consistent level of success and accomplishment through their experiences here. Students have received high ratings at local and state festivals as well as invitations to perform for civic groups, churches, and other public events.
The advantages of group lessons are documented. Group lessons provide a motivator other than the teacher or parent, namely peers. Group lessons allow students some friendly competition with their classmates and the chance to share ideas and experiences with each other. This generates enthusiasm for piano study! The group allows for reinforcing the learning process in fun ways: musical games, rhythm practice, listening games, and ensemble experience, but most importantly, performance opportunities. Private lessons cannot provide as much nor as effective instructional time. Also, group study enhances confidence and helps students become more comfortable playing for others.
Interaction during games, practices and performances for one another helps students develop musicality and creativity. Group lessons provide more opportunities to teach to all of the learning modes. (Some students need to "touch" the foam treble clef to understand its relationship to the letter G!) While playing the piano is often a lonely experience, group lessons add a social factor. Many students are highly motivated to attend lessons with their friends! Most of my intermediate/advanced players began in a group and "re-form" their groups on a regular basis to prepare ensembles for festivals and recitals as well as to work on music history and music theory. The research in the music education field clearly show that students who feel connected to a group are more likely to study music longer. It has also been my personal experience that group piano students progress more quickly.