Berry Music STL
VIRTUAL LEARNING METHODS
-ONLINE COACHING SESSIONS
-TUTORIAL COACHING VIDEOS
-VIDEO LESSONS
-1.jpg)
THE #1 TRENDING MUSIC EDUCATION METHOD THAT IS SWEEPING THE INTERNET AND THE WORLD, IS VIRTUAL LEARNING!
ONLINE COACHING SESSIONS, COACHING/TUTORIAL VIDEOS, AND VIDEO LESSONS OFFER THE INSTANT BENEFIT OF REPLAYING YOUR LESSON ALL THROUGHOUT WEEK FOR EASY RECALL AND ADDED PRACTICE SUPPORT.
ADULTS AND KIDS ARE OVER-BOOKED WITH WEEKLY ACTIVITIES MORE THAN EVER!
THESE POPULAR AND EFFECTIVE LEARNING METHODS ARE PROVING TO BE THE MOST EFFICIENT AND PRODUCTIVE WAY TO LEARN A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!
My students have enjoyed these convenient methods of learning:
-While on vacation
-When illness occurs
-When the traffic is terrible
-During dangerous weather conditions
-If the student lives or moves out of state
*ALL NEW STUDENT INTAKE INTERVIEWS AND ONLINE COACHING SESSIONS ARE DONE VIA ZOOM
(No Facetime, Google Duo, or Skype)
6 PRACTICAL RULES FOR A SUCCESFUL ZOOM COACHING SESSIONS- (AGES 3-ADULT!)
RULE # 1: DO NOT USE A PHONE
RULE # 2: SET UP YOUR IPAD/LAPTOP SO I CAN SEE STUDENT FROM SIDE VIEW/ HANDS/ FACE(SEE PICS BELOW!)
RULE #3: STUDENT MUST HAVE PENCIL NEARBY, ALL METERIALS, AND MINIMAL DISTRACTIONS(BEFORE THE LESSON BEGINS!)
RULE# 4: ENABLE ORIGINAL SOUND(SEE BELOW!!)
RULE #5: HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE EXCELLENCE AND CONVENINECE OF ONLINE COACHING SESSIONS! ☺☺☺
RULE #6: ASK ME TO ENABLE RECORDING SO THAT YOU MAY RECORD THE ZOOM LESSON ON YOUR DEVICE AND PLAY-BACK THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AS A PRACTICE RESOURCE AND SUPPORT!
*SCROLL DOWN FOR DETAILS ON OPTOMIZING YOUR SETTINGS WITHIN ZOOM FOR THE BEST EXPERINCE!
Here is the Berry Music online story:
During the pandemic starting in January of 2020- Summer of 2021, Berry Music STL went completely online!
We did much research regarding the use of multiple cameras, optimizing sound, and keeping our online sessions cutting-edge, second to none!
Mission accomplished! Berry Music smashed it out of the ballpark!
I have received top compliments from some of the most respected professionals in the country regarding my set up and teaching style!
My YouTube Coaching Videos have received thousands of views and have helped people all over the world discover the joy of music!
During the pandemic, I launched my online sessions for 86 of my private students ranging in ages from 4-adult who all transitioned from in-person to virtual students during that period. They did an extraordinary job adapting to this new way of learning and were having a blast!! I met many students during that period solely online and we have never met in-person to this day! They are loving their online experience and growing tremendously in their skill level!
During this season of approximately 15 straight months of being virtual, Berry Music STL grew!
The online coaching sessions were such a smashing success that people were telling their friends and neighbors! When we finally went back to in-person the summer of 2021, many still loved the online experience and continue virtually!
*BERRY MUSIC STL IS CURRENTLY OFFERING THESE VIRTUAL LEARNING METHODS UNTIL WE GET INTO OUR NEW BUILDING(AND BEYOND!)
.jpg)
.jpg)
HOW SUCCESSFUL ARE ONLINE LESONS AT BERRY MUSIC STL???
HOW EFFECTIVE OR SUCCESFUL ARE THESE VIRTUAL LEARNING METHODS AT BERRY MUSIC STL?
IN SPRING OF 2021, 54 OF MY ONLINE STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS SPRING FESTIVAL AND 34 OF MY ONLINE STUDENTS PARTICIPTAED IN THE NATIONAL GUILD AUDITIONS . THEY BROKE A NEW RECORD FOR OUR STUDIO! MY STUDENTS RECIEVED THE HIGHEST RATINGS TO DATE THAT YEAR!
23 GOLD FEDERATION TROPHIES AND 101 SUPERIOR RATING RIBBONS, ALL WHILE LEARNING THE ENTIRE YEAR ONLINE AND AUDITIONING VIA VIDEO AUDITIONS! THEY REALLY DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB!
THEIR PARENTS ALSO DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN SETTING THEM UP FOR A HIGH-QUALITY ONLINE LESSON EXPERINCE AT HOME BY FOLLOWING MY SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS IN OPTIMIZING THE AUDIO SETTINGS IN ZOOM AND GETTING SET UP PROPERLY.
YOU ONLY NEED A LAPTOP OR TABLET TO GET SET UP!
TO HAVE AN AWESOME AUDIO EXPERIENCE, PLEASE FOLLOW MY STEP-BY-STEP FOR PROPER SET-UP BELOW...
SCROLL DOWN: to read my step-by step quick guide on how to get set up for high-quality online lessons, what equipment/gear you will need, as well as adjusting you audio settings properly within zoom!
GETTING STARTED:
1. DOWNLOAD ZOOM ONTO YOUR LAPTOP OR TABLET.
Smartphones are the last choice simply due to the poor sound quality, not to mention the very small screen.
2. ADJUST YOUR AUDIO SETTING WITHIN ZOOM
You need to take this step to ensure that the musical instruments can be heard through the zoom platform. It is quick and easy! Once you set it up, you do not have to do it again!
*There are links below for iPad users-
1. In the zoom app, go into AUDIO SETTINGS, make sure Mic is turned 3/4 of the way up, make sure your speakers are 3/4 of the way up.
2. UNCHECK the box next to "automatically adjust microphone volume"
3. CHECK the box next to "show in meeting to enable original sound"
4. CHECK the box next to " disable echo cancelation"
5. Choose AUTO under " suppress background noise" header
6. MAKE SURE TO RESTART THE DEVICE BEFORE THE ZOOM MEETING AND CLOSE OTHER PAGES/APPS.
7. BE SURE THAT MINIMAL INTERNET IS BEING USED BY OTHER PEOPLE IN THE HOME DURING THE LESSON TO HELP WITH BAD CONNECTION ISSUES YOU MAY BE EXPERIENCING.
8. USE A USB MIC / WEBCAM
9. Please put barking dogs in a different room, turn off loud TV's, and refrain from having conversations in the same room or neighboring room as lesson.
HELPFUL LINKS:
*Laptop/Desktop sound optimization: https://youtu.be/eb5dg98cSEM (you can go to .58 seconds on the video to just right in.
*Ipad/Tablet sound optimization: https://youtu.be/6H4jwKXUo8A
****HERE IS ANOTHER VERYHELPFUL VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS ZOOM SETTINGS, ENABLING ORIGINAL SOUND, AND MORE.
IF YOU ARE DOING MORE THAN ONE ONLINE LESSON YOU WILL NEED AN EXTERNAL USB MIC TO PLUG INTO YOUR DEVICE. They range from $10-$25 on the low end. You can also get a quality USB for $50-$100: https://www.amazon.com/Microphone-Condenser-Indicator-Gooseneck-Recording/dp/B07N2WRHMY
*The built-in default mic on an iPad/tablet or laptop is not suitable for quality music lessons or communication
IF YOU ARE DOING REGULAR ONLINE CLASSES YOU WILL NEED AN EXTERNAL WEBCAM FOR YOUR DEVICE.
This allows me to clearly see the students hands, the keys, and the music they are looking at.
$50 and up: (BETTER QUALITY!):https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088PYJB6H/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B088PYJB6H&SubscriptionId=&linkCode=as2&tag=bestprodtagl179497-20
3. POSITIONING OF DEVICE:
It is important to position your device OFF TO THE SIDE (SEE PICS ABOVE!)of the student/keyboard, and CLOSE to the student so that I am able to see their hands on the keyboard. (SEE PIC OF STUDENT BELOW). The student should be able to sit at their keyboard or piano and simply turn their head to the side to see me. If they have to turn their body to see the devise is too far behind the student. The device needs to be high enough for me to see the students hands on keys.
WHAT TO EXPECT: During online class, I switch between 3 cameras often in order to demonstrate proper technique and placement. I also use many visual aids during the lesson to help keep the younger student engaged. My online lessons are extremely productive and engaging for even the youngest students! Parents of 4-6 years old: I may need you nearby to assist for the first few lessons until they are used to the online experience.
CELEBRATING 30+ YEARS OF EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC EDUCATION!
ACTIVE MEMBER:
Music Teachers National Association
Missouri Music Teachers Association
St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association
National Guild of Piano Teachers
National Federation Of Music Clubs
Virtuoso Club
Past Member:
Minnesota Music Teachers Association
Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum
West Suburban Music Teachers Association
JUNE 2022 - MAY 2023