Peery Piano Academy Blog

AUGUST 08
Peery Piano Academy CALENDAR
Habits Classes will be held during August on the following weeks:
August 11-15
August 18-22
August 25-29 (Makeup week)
The entire PPA calendar for 2007-2008 is posted on our website, www.peerymusic.com, ‘Mountain View’, ‘Calendar’

FALL ENROLLMENT
Fall enrollment is in full swing.  If you have not done so already, please fill out the enrollment form.  ALL students must fill out the form for lessons beginning in September.
Link to form:
http://fs10.formsite.com/skousenschool/form677741854/index.html

UPDATE TO CANCELATION POLICY
We received some feedback that the new cancellation policy was a bit daunting to some.  One of my favorite comments was, “The only thing I can commit to for a year is my husband!”

The new cancellation policy which applies to all students enrolled in the 2008-2009 year is:
Intention to withdraw from PPA must be submitted via email to the director at tskousen@peerymusic.com.  If notice is received before the first 3 scheduled classes you will be held responsible for the first full month’s tuition but not be responsible for the remaining semester tuition.  Withdrawals after the first 3 classes are responsible for the entire semester tuition amount - Fall semester = September thru December, Winter Semester - January thru May, Summer semester - June thru August.

HABITS CLASS MAKEUPS AND ABSENCES
Absences and Makeup possibilities are posted on our calendar online.  Spots available are marked ‘(Student Name) Out’.  Any ‘Out’ spots that do not have a corresponding ‘(Student Name) In’ are available for makeups.  Please email Missi at info@peerymusic.com to let her know if and when you will be absent and what available spot you would like to take for a makeup.

STUDENTS RECEIVING THEIR PEERY CERTIFICATION…
Hannah Robinson Level 3 Muscular, Practical and Musical. Having earned all three level 3 bands Hannah also received the distinction of graduating from the Peery Habits program with Honors and has earned her Peery leather band.

Bryan Tang Level 2 Muscular
Nicole Leyfman Level 1 Muscular, Practical and Musical
Colin Reay Level 1 Practical
Soren Robinson Level 2 Practical
Tessa Cowley Level 2 Musical
Brandon Kinaan Level 1 Muscular
Jacqueline Woo Level 1 Muscular, Practical and Musical

CONGRATULATIONS TO…
Peery Piano Academy featured in the news!
Did you see the recent articles in the voice featuring one of our students and the Academy itself?
JOSHUA SMITH was featured on the front page of the Mountain View voice in an article about the number of books he has published.  Joshua has been a student at PPA for two years and has an amazing work ethic and will stick to a project until it is complete.  It is no surprise he is accomplishing amazing things inside and outside of his piano studies.  To read Joshua’s article go to:
http://www.mv-voice.com/news/show_story.php?id=760

The following week our Master Teacher Christie Skousen was featured along with the uniquely excellent Peery Habits Curriculum.  To read this article go to:
http://www.mv-voice.com/news/show_story.php?id=785
As of now this article is featured on the Mountain Voice’s homepage.

Students passing the National Music Certificate Examination
FIRST CLASS HONORS
Monesha Chari Grade 1
Malavika Shankar Grade 1

HONORS
Jamie Kotcher Grade 4

PRACTICE PARTNER TIP
Don’t set a specific time limit for practicing, but do set a specific time limit for practice periods.  For example, give a student in school grades K-1 20 minutes to sit down and accomplish everything they can.  At the end of 20 minutes give them the same amount of time to break.  Then back at it for another 20 minutes.  When kids know they have a time limit, but also know they can’t quit until they have finished all of their practice items they will spend their practice periods more effectively.  We recommend a 20 minute practice period for grades K-1, 30 minutes for grades 2-4, 45 minutes grades 5-6 and 60 minutes grades 7 and up.

Do you have a tip that would help another practice partner?  If so please email Missi and we’ll post it in the next announcements.

FROM THE DIRECTOR
PPA SHADOW PROGRAM
As many of you know, we believe kids can learn to work well through piano and that with good training, these skills will become the foundation for the little learning dynamos that are the next generation.  We believe this kind of piano study can be the source of a type of learning that will be required of the knowledge-workers and innovators of the 21st century market place.  We are clearly not a second too soon!   We are so pleased with the overall quality of the work being done and with the commitment the parental units have demonstrated as practice partners.  It is neat to see, and the kids feel it.

We have seen first-hand the power of students who have been empowered with the preparation and opportunity to lead.  The Student Guides have been tremendous and many others have been motivated by the leadership of our guides in this capacity.  We would like to extend this opportunity for leadership to other students appropriately.  As it was for Christie – who began teaching at age 9- these opportunities to lead will have a stronger motivational impact than almost anything we can do or say to them.

The PPA shadow program allows graduates of Habits Level 1 to be a ‘shadow’ to a new PPA student.  This works best when the shadow and new student are friends and live within a close proximity.  Shadowing entails: helping the new student put together their practice chart, explaining assignments, helping them practice.

PPA will donate $99 to the new student in the name of the piano shadow.  Upon our Master Teacher’s recommendation, you may be receiving a call to become a shadow!

Eligible Students:  graduates of Habits Level 1