Berry Music STL

BERRY MUSIC TEACHING PHILOSOPHY & LEARNING FORMAT

EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC EDUCATION FOR OVER 30 YEARS!



 I consider it such a 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 beautiful families and to be able to work with them as they discover the joy of music!

 My greatest privilege as a music educator for over 30 years is bringing music education to life for my students!

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! 

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

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

There is no "cookie-cutter", "one-size-fits-all" approach to learning a musical instrument! There are many individuals with their own learning styles and needs. I tailor my teaching to each individual student and help them work on their specific musical goals.

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

Yes, I said it! I believe that the music each student practices and studies must be appealing to their

 ear or they will not want to practice!

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

 I invite each student to take a journey of musical discovery. 

I encourage my students to LISTEN TO MUSIC above all else because how will one learn to be musical if they do not listen to




I equip each student with a well-rounded and structured music education that includes:

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




PRIVATE MUSIC COACHING :

Students ages 4-adult may also study privately in a 30, 45 , or 60 minute music coaching session. Coaching is offered in the following areas:

VOICE

PIANO -CLASSICAL, JAZZ, BLUES IMPROV, KEYS/ MODERN KEYBOARD SKILLS (Chord approach- INSTANT PLAYING!)

UKULELE

GUITAR

MUSIC THEORY

COMPOSITION

SONG-WRITING

IMPROVISATION

RECORDING

ARRANGING

WORSHIP ARTS/LEADERSHIP TRAINING

**LESSONS ARE IN- PERSON

**I ALSO OFFER ONLINE LESSONS: FOR STUDENTS WHO LIVE OUT-OF STATE,  FOR STUDENTS ARE TRAVELING, WHEN ILLNESS OCURS, WHEN THE WEATHER IS SEVERE.



 

BERRY MUSIC STL ALSO OFFERS:

 PRESCHOOL PALS MUSIC CLASSES

BABY/TODDLER MUSIC ENRICHMENT CLASSES

SPECIAL NEEDS MUSIC ENRICHMENT CLASSES


PRACTICE

The number 1 problem most parents face is the struggle of getting their child to practice on their own during the week.

The small-group format conquers that problem once and for all! 

Here's how: Students know they will see their class friends each week and therefore have more of a sense of urgency to stay on top of their weekly lesson. They know they will be playing in class and there is peer accountability. 

The small group/ team building approach helps prepare young people for future careers working in a team environment!

They learn to utilize the following life skills in their group classes that also prepare them for experiences in school, extra-curricular activities, and one day in their careers: CRITICAL-THINKING, PROBLEM-SOLVING, LEADERSHIP, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, SELF-CONTROL, FOCUS, CONTRIBUTION OF IDEAS, COLLABORTATION WITH OTHERS, SOCAL SKILLS, ACCOUNTABILITY...The list goes on!


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

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 well-rounded, 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 local choral group, audition for musicals, record and layer songs on their tablet or home recording studio software, compose their own music using notation software, or 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!


Students from beginner to advanced will be sky-rocketing to the next level of their musical greatness in this teaching format that will eventually prepare  them to take the top music exams recognized internationally: The RCM certificate program from The Royal Conservatory Of Music. 

see the link below for more information

https://berrymusicstl.mymusicstaff.com/THE-ROYAL-CONSERVATORY-OF-MUSIC--RCM- 


 MORE THOUGHTS ON PRACTICE (based on my experience of practicing the piano since the age of 3!)

....Pour yourself a cup of coffee and read up! 

Some teachers are afraid to use the word "practice", for fear of scaring off a student from the study of music, but why?

Practice is fun and enjoyable if you have the correct tools!

Practice is necessary to master any skill. It is also a life skill. 

What is practice?

 Repeating what you learn in class all throughout the week, as often and as frequently as possible so that you can learn the next lesson!  

When students are having a great time in their group classes and are motivated and inspired about their music, practice comes easily!

 ***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.

 IMPORTANT NOTE: Piano skill level has nothing to do with age. It has EVERYTHING to do with consistent and productive practice. Muscle memory and ear-training are at the core of it all!

Learning to master the art of playing the piano or any instrument for that matter, requires the student and parent to commit to the idea that studying and practicing consistently is a discipline. It can be as much fun at home as it is in the lesson! It is a habit-forming exercise that requires consistency. 

BOTTOM LINE:

 LISTENING TO MUSIC IS THE VERY BEST WAY TO LEARN AND APPRECIATE MUSIC. IT IS ALSO THE BEST WAY TO HELP YOURSELF 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 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. 

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 discipline and consistent repetition, regardless of how we feel or what mood we are in.

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

If the beginner can stay the course through the first year or two of learning the basics, playing the piano starts to become extremely rewarding!


 How long should one practice?

 It depends entirely upon the stage of learning that the student is at and how many pieces and technical exercises they are working on.


 THE BASIC GUIDELINE OF PRACTICE IS THIS:

You must love the sound of the music that you music that you are practicing.

You will then be motivated to put in the work necessary to one day play it fluently and enjoy it!

** 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. 

* 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!

 You may  record the class if you would like to help the student recall the lesson throughout the week! Students will also receive a detailed lesson plan.

 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, and 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, 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.

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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, and helps to repair and create new neuropathways 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 skils!

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)