Berry Music STL

THE TEACHING PHILOSOPHY OF JULIE BERRY

EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC EDUCATION FOR OVER 30 YEARS!




TO FIND OUT  MORE ABOUT THE DETAILS OF BERRY MUSIC STL AND ALL THAT JULIE BERRY OFFERS, PLEASE VISIT THE "ABOUT BERRY MUSIC STL" PAGE LINK BELOW:

https://berrymusicstl.mymusicstaff.com/ABOUT-BERRY-MUSIC


 I consider it a tremendous blessing to be living out my dream every day, helping others enjoy their musical journey! It is such a great honor to know so many wonderful individuals and families as I help them discover the joy of music!

  I have been a musician my entire life and music educator for over 30 years. I can tell you whole-heartedly that the greatest privilege I have is bringing music to life for my students of all ages!

The foundation of my teaching philosophy is rooted and grounded in the following statement:

 My mission is to help individuals of all ages and abilities become life-long musicians and lovers of music! 

 

There is no "cookie-cutter", "one-size-fits-all" approach to learning a musical instrument(Including the human voice)!

 There are many individuals with their own experiences, learning styles, learning strengths, and learning needs.

I tailor my coaching sessions to meet each individual student right where they are and help them work on their specific musical goals.


Each individual student; from their first years of life to the advanced in age, is on their own unique, musical journey. 


 The most important key to success in learning and mastering any musical instrument is enjoyment! 

CULTIVATING A LOVE OF MUSIC IS AT THE VERY CORE OF WHY I DO WHAT I DO

  Each student of Berry Music STL is invited to take a journey of musical discovery!

Whether a student is having their individual coaching session by means of ZOOM, VIDEO SESSION, OR IN-PERSON; They each receive a session that is specifically tailored to their needs/goals during a time/ day that we schedule together after our new student intake interview.


I use a wide variety of repertoire and materials that I will recommend on an individual basis before our sessions begin. 


For the students who are accepted into my studio and onto my yearly student roster, there are several important elements  that all work together, ensuring a positive and productive learning experience.

These are: 

♪ Having the specific repertoire and materials that I recommend before we begin our first session


♫ Having the proper instrument to practice on (Please talk with me before you purchase, as I have specific recommendations and requirements), before our first session


♪ Keeping your materials organized and remembering to have them with you for each session


♫ Maintaining a respectful and positive attitude about your learning experience, both towards yourself and towards your instructor

 


I communicate with my students through the lesson plans that I create and provide to ensure that regular practice goals are met.



Here at Berry Music STL,  I am excited to share that there is so much more happening than music education! We are making the world a better place, one opportunity at a time.

Each year I provide several opportunities my students and family's to get involved in our community and make a difference in the lives of others. To learn more, Please view link: https://berrymusicstl.mymusicstaff.com/COMMUNITY-OUTREACH--CHARITIES



My amazing students not only acquire the finest in music education, but they also acquire LIFE-SKILLS! 

These life-skills are a fantastic byproduct of being a student of music! 

They are a great refresher for those of us who are older! These life-skills also prepare children and teens for experiences in school, extra-curricular activities, and one day, their careers!

These life-skills include:

CRITICAL THINKING

 PROBLEM-SOLVING

 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

EMOTIONAL REGULATION

SELF-CONTROL

MENTAL FOCUS

CONTRIBUTION OF IDEAS

COLLABORATION WITH OTHERS

COMMUNICATION, ACCOUNTABILITY

SOCIAL-SKILLS

This style of music education equips students with the tools they need to be a well- rounded musician and human! 

My students deserve the VERY BEST in their music education and this is why Berry Music STL is the premier music studio offering the most comprehensive, engaging, challenging, and exciting music program!


Students are equipped with the musical versatility to:

Study multiple instruments

Participate in ensembles such as band or orchestra

Sing in a choral group or ensemble

Audition for musicals or gigs

Record and layer songs 

Compose their own music using notation software 

Start a band!


Music is healing for the mind, body, and soul! It is such a great honor to be able to share this beautiful art with my precious students and their families!


There are also ENDLESS benefits to learning a musical instrument! Check out this link to discover more!

https://berrymusicstl.mymusicstaff.com/BENEFITS-OF-MUSIC 





I equip each student with a well-rounded and structured music education that includes many of the following elements based on individual musical goals:

  • Ear-training
  • Sight-reading, Sight-playing/ Sight-Singing
  • Music Theory
  • Rhythm/ movement/ internalizing the pulse of the music
  • Composition
  • Improvisation
  • Accompaniment styles
  • Technique/ Body-Awareness 
  • Duets/ Ensembles
  • Practice Habits
  • Performance Preparation
  • Audition Preparation
  • Recording/ Mixing/ making a music video
  • Social Skills/ Peer interaction
  • Communication Skills
  • Accountability
  • LIFE SKILLS!







 



MRS. JULIE'S EXPERT PRACTICE TIPS FOR CHILDREN/ TEENS/ ADULTS

HERE IS MY PHILOSOPHY ON PRACTICE:

" PRACTICE IS WHAT WE MUSICIANS DO OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO CREATE HABITS. 

THESE HABITS CREATE NEW NEURAL PATHWAYS AND BECOME PART OF OUR MUSCLE MEMORY BY THE ACT OF REPETITION.

PRACTICE REQUIRES TIME, ROUTINE, DILIGENCE, AND CONSISTENCY.

INNCORECT PRACTICE OR NOT FULLY ENGAGING MENTALLY WITH OUR PRACTICE CAN ALSO CAUSE UNHEALTHY HABITS IN TECHNIQUE, POSTURE, AND POOR MEMORY. 

NEURAL PATHWAYS ARE ALWAYS BEING CREATED BY CORRECT OR INCORRECT INFORMATION WE FEED OUR BRAIN. 

WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE ARE FULLY ENGAGING MENTALLY AND BEING ACURATE IN OUR PRACTICE. 

THIS MAY REQUIRE SHORTER "BURSTS" OF REPETITION TIED IN WITH "MENTAL BREAKS" BETWEEN OUR FOCUSED EFFORT. 

THIS WILL PRODUCE MAXIMUM RESULTS!"- JULIE BERRY 


KEEP READING!!!


 



♫ I share the following insight on practice as a professional musician who regularly practices on a daily basis, someone who has studied music and practiced since the age of 3, and as an educator who has taught hundreds upon hundreds of individuals over the last 30 + years  how to effectively practice and go on to be life-long musicians and lovers of music!


"PRACTICE" Is not a scary word. This word sometimes is used incorrectly or without much direction, thus causing a bad rep! Practice is fun and enjoyable if you have the correct tools and guidance!

Practice is necessary to master any skill. It is also a life skill used in ACADEMICS, SPORTS, ARTS, AND CAREERS.


♪ What is practice?

 Repeating what you learn in your sessions all throughout the week, as often and as frequently as possible so that you can keep that information in your brain, develop muscle memory, and implement habits.


♫ When students are having a great time in their coaching sessions and are motivated and inspired about their music, practice comes easily! 


♪ When very young students have caregivers who can support them during their home practice sessions, they will grow leaps and bounds. Caregivers need not have any musical knowledge to fulfill this supportive role. Just a willingness to encourage the young student with positivity, go through the lesson plan I provide and adjust as needed.


♫ Some of my most successful young students have their parent or caregiver in the background taking notes, recording the lessons, and asking me questions outside of lesson time to make sure they understand what their child should be practicing.


♪ Some of my most successful adult students have been those who take their own notes during class, record their lesson each week and ask many questions.  


 ♪If regular practice is not happening at home, students are ONLY learning at the lesson every 7 days and that will do very little for musical growth.


 ♫ Skill level has nothing to do with age. It has EVERYTHING to do with consistent and productive practice.


♪  Muscle memory is at the center of it all!


♫ Learning to play and master any instrument or singing, requires the student and/or parent to commit to the idea that studying and practicing consistently is an activity of diligence and consistency. It can be as much fun at home as it is in the session! Practice is a habit-forming activity that forms new neural pathways in the brain, who wouldn't want that!?


♪♫♪ EXTRA BONUS PRACTICE TIPS


 ♫ LISTENING TO MUSIC IS THE VERY BEST WAY TO LEARN AND APPRECIATE MUSIC. IT IS ALSO THE BEST WAY TO HELP ASSIST YOURSELF IN YOUR PRACTICE.

HOW CAN WE BECOME MUSICAL IF WE DO NOT LISTEN TO MUSIC?

JUST AS A BABY LEARNS TO SPEAK BY LISTENING TO IT'S PARENT SPEAK, A MUSICIAN LEARNS TO INTERPRET,  PLAY, AND EXPRESS MUSIC BY LISTENING TO OTHERS PLAY!


♫ The repetition of exercises and passages of music causes the student to strengthen their muscle memory and coordination.  Muscle memory and coordination development depends entirely upon on frequency practice. 


♪ We create new neural pathways when we implement repetition in our daily practice. That is what creates HABITS.


♫ One does not always "feel" like practicing, but that is when we need to do it the most, to create a habit. Pretty soon it gets easier!...and more FUN!


♪ Just like exercise and eating healthy! It takes a lot of diligence and consistent repetition, regardless of how we feel or what mood we are in.


 ♫ This mind-set leads to a healthy, happy life!  


 ♫ BE FOCUSED AND PRODUCTIVE IN YOUR PRACTICE WITH FULL ATTENTION AND AWARENESS TO WHAT YOU ARE DOING, NO MATTER HOW LONG YOU SPEND DOING IT. 

 REPEAT!! DO NOT JUST DO THIS ONE TIME! DO THIS DAILY! PRACTICE SMALL SECTIONS IN REPS.

 ♪ Keep a practice journal! Make notes of what you practiced and for how many reps. Documenting your work helps you hold yourself accountable and track your growth as a musician! 


♫ Make mistakes, learn from mistakes, problem-solve, and use critical thinking to understand what you are learning. ASK QUESTIONS!


♪  Do not just sit on "auto-pilot", staring blankly at the page while playing! If that happens please stop! Get a drink of water, stretch, and come back to the piano when you are ready to LISTEN to yourself play. HEAR what you are doing. ASK yourself questions about your work and be your own teacher to self-correct!


♫ PRACTICE AWAY FROM YOUR INSTRUMENT! Imagine the sound of the phrase, visualize your fingering, tap the rhythm, sit in a chair with your music in front of you and hear the sound of it internally with all of the dynamics and articulations!

 

 ♫ If you have questions about a lesson plan or what to practice, please text/email. I am always supportive of my students and  parents to help them on the home-front! 


 Music is a language of expression. Music cannot be boxed up in one idea or another.

 For each individual who learns the language of music, the process is unique. What works for one, may not work for another.

 I believe in teaching my students how to learn, how to process, how to practice effectively, how to discover the answers to their questions, how to see results, and most importantly how to enjoy their journey!

PARENTS HELPING THE YOUNG STUDENT

 For the young child starting out their musical journey, there needs to be the triangle- effect of learning support: Student, Teacher, Parent. When these 3 are working together to communicate effectively and support the learning process , there is much growth! 

Parents, Please do not point out mistakes to your child every time they make them!Listen to the passage and ASK them how they feel it went. Did they hear anything that needs to be corrected. Did it sound musical and enjoyable.

 Mistakes NEED to happen in order for them to recognize accuracy. 

Perfection is an illusion! 

Help your child NOT turn into a perfectionist by reassuring them that they are going to make many mistakes while learning. 

The best way to prevent mistakes is to SLOW DOWN.

Parents, while pointing to the score to assist their eye in tracking please don't be strict with meter/ timing for the very young. The 3 and 4 year old are developing hand-eye coordination and eye tracking skills. This can be very difficult for some and patience is a MUST! The timing will come.

For best at-home results: Sit in during the class and observe how I assist your child in their practice.  Duplicate that experience daily. Recording the lesson is highly recommended!

Ask me questions when you need to understand a musical concept.

***IMPORTANT TO NOTE- If a parent wishes to sit in, they may do so, out of the line of vision of the student.  I ask the parent not to speak, interact, or ask questions during the lesson as it can greatly impact the way the child learns from me. If this request is not met, the lesson will be very distracted and I will ask the parent not to sit in the lesson. 


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ADULT STUDENTS 


 

I teach adult students of all levels and stages of their musical journey!

 Whether you are a career professional who is balancing a busy work schedule and family life, a stay-at-home parent raising children, a senior enjoying the retirement years, or anyone who wants to learn a new skill! Music is proven time and again to be the best stress-relief!

Studying a musical instrument as an adult is massively beneficial for improved memory, hand-eye- coordination, stimulation of the mind, improves mental health, and helps to repair and create new neural pathways in the brain! How awesome is that!?  In addition to this, music is extremely therapeutic and enjoyable! Music heals the mind, body, and soul. I do not know where I would be without it!

It is ALWAYS the right time to start something new or brush-up old skills!

Adult students have much busier schedules, therefore lessons may happen when it works with your schedule and my current availability. 







CELEBRATING 30+ YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC EDUCATION!

ACTIVE MEMBER:


Ultimate Music Theory Elite Educators(UMT)
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA)
St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association (SLAMTA)
National Guild of Piano Teachers (NGPT)
National Federation Of Music Clubs (NFMC)
Virtuoso Club (MFMC Virtuoso Club)
Past Member:
Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA)
Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum (MMTF)
West Suburban Music Teachers Association (WSMTA)