Calendar for 2014-2015

This year, classes began a month later than usual, October 3.   Consequently, there will be fewer classes, 31 for Tue through Fri students, and 29 for Mon students.  Tuition for your child will reflect this truncated calendar, and there will be 8 payments during the school year, rather than the usual 9.  Each payment is for the same amount, the total number of classes have been divided into equal payments for ease of bookkeeping.  You pay only for classes you are enrolled in.  If you do decide to discontinue lessons, please notify me in writing.  Any refunds will be determined on a pro rata basis.

The calendar includes one sick day for me, in other words, if I am ill I may cancel lessons with no refund or rescheduling.  If your child must miss another lesson because I am ill, I will refund or reschedule that lesson.

If you refer a student to the studio for any program, your child receives a month's free lessons.

Please note that the first payment is in October, the last in May, although there will be classes in June before we start the summer calendar.

Here are the vacation dates:

MON          TUE          WED          THU          FRI

Nov 24        Nov 25       Nov 26       Nov 27       Nov 28

Dec 22        Dec 23        Dec 24       Dec 25        Dec 26
Dec 29        Dec 30        Dec 31

                                                           Jan 1           Jan 2
Jan 19

Feb 16                                                                   Feb 13

                                                          Apr 2           Apr 3
Apr 6         Apr 7         Apr 8            Apr 9           Apr 10

May 25      May 26      May 27

Pies, Pianos and Pantries

The studio is collecting food for the Alameda Community Food Bank and for every donation you bring, you will be entered into a drawing for a pie, home-made by Ms. Queener (aka The Pie Queen). Let's see if we can make our goal of 88 donations in 2014, one for each key on the piano!

All Students Have September Off!

Yes, as you know, Ms. Q is taking the month of September off, so you get it off too!   It won't hurt to have some fun on your own this month, but for the last week of September, please return to your usual practice schedule, then your fingers will be "in shape" for a a lot of new and enjoyable music.   Ms. Q is hoping that her broken wrist will also be in shape so she can be playing right along with you.

Music Preparation Class

For those students wanting an introduction to music,without the structure of home practice, the Music Preparation class will be on Wednesdays, 4:30-5:00.  If your child is 6, this is definitely the class!   The first Music Prep class will meet Oct. 8.

We're in the Alameda Sun!

Did you see the photo of CK and ED celebrating the donations the studio made to the Alameda Food Bank through our project, Pianos in the Pantry?   Yes, in the last recital we collected more cans for the food bank and are now up to 40 donations for the year.

Thank you to all who contributed.

Let's shoot for 88 cans, one for each key on the piano.

Summertime,…..

and the playing is easy.

Summer lessons are designed to be more relaxed than during the school year, but still adventuresome.  Easy playing!

Then there are vacations which we all take.  While Ms. Q doesn't expect anyone to practice while away from home, if there is a piano at your destination, she is sure that Grandpa or Aunt Mary would enjoy playing duets with you.

Or here's another idea.  Bring some of your favorite pieces, make a program, and offer a recital to your hosts.  Guaranteed they will love it.  (Save a copy of the program you make and we'll post it in the studio.)

Summer Instruction

The last good-byes of classmates had hardly died away, when the summer schedule began.  Now is the time for all but the 6 & 7 year olds (in the Music Preparation Class) to take private or partner lessons exclusively.  There are still slots open for July and August, so come by the studio to sign-up.  Ms. Q has special projects and games planned.

Also, this summer there have been enough students to continue the Music Prep Class, which is designed so a student can come intermittently so as to accommodate vacations.  The class meets Fridays, 4:30-5:00, except July 4 and August 8.

June Recital Breaks All Records

Wow, what a dramatic end to the school year.  One of the best recitals ever, in which everyone rose to the occasion; the occasion being that Ms. Queener broke her arm and had to hire a former student, Sophia C.,  to play duets and run the show.

Although recuperating from surgery upstairs of the studio, she could hear all but the softest music and was cheered by the great playing of everyone.  Her husband and daughter, who acted as stage managers, reported that all the students were noteably quiet and helpful.

This showed how independent the students are becoming.  Hallelujah!

Perhaps Ms. Q could break another arm.  NOT!

She would like to thank everyone for their help and good wishes.

March Recital

The spring studio recital will be Sunday at 4 pm.   There will be 14 students performing, and as you know, not everyone in the studio is included so that our recitals aren't too long.  Those not in this recital will be first in line for the June recitals.

Performers need arrive only 5 minutes early.  Be sure to invite family and firends.

This recital we will be collecting canned goods for the Alameda Food Bank.  Any contributors will have their names put in a drawing for a famous Ms Queener pie!   And note, the crust is hand made.

Thank you holiday performers

2013 ended with such wonderful performances from the studio.  The Holiday Home Tour did not have any musicians this year, EXCEPT for pianists from our studio who played at the Elks Club.  Veteran student players, CC, LB, MB and TS each played their holiday repertoire while shoppers browsed in the main room of the club.  Congratulations, you are becoming very accomplished performers and I received so many compliments from the Home Tour staff.

In addition, CC and LB this year again gave a pre-program recital at Maya Lin School.  They were joined by two new young students, CC's brother J and his good friend DM, who played "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" several times to the delight of the  several hundred strong audience.   I was so proud of all the  performers!

Let us begin the New Year with enthusiasm for making music, and plans to bring our skill to the community.  I will be looking into playing at some retirement homes; anyone interested, please let me know.