Tag: themes

Performances

The Ultimate Guide to Piano Recital Themes: 50+ Creative Ideas for Teachers

Joy Morin

Have you ever held a themed recital with your piano students? Whether you’re planning your very first studio event or your fiftieth, adding a creative theme can transform a standard recital into something unique. Themes can add an extra spark of excitement, inspire your students, and help families create lasting memories.

This guide presents over 50 recital theme options — each with suggested titles, visual concepts, and keyword inspiration to help you search for related repertoire. Whether you’re exploring themes for the first time or expanding your existing approach, you’ll find ideas that range from seasonal celebrations to musical periods, from geographical journeys to creative activities.

Continue reading “The Ultimate Guide to Piano Recital Themes: 50+ Creative Ideas for Teachers” →
Performances

TEACHER FEATURE: Alexandra Schock’s Themed Piano Studio Recitals

Joy Morin

This Teacher Feature spotlights my local piano teacher colleague and friend, Alexandra Schock. In this interview, Alex shares about the themed recitals she hosts featuring her piano students each spring. Inspired by her approach after meeting her three years ago, I’ve experimented with themed recitals of my own (see here, here, and here). Perhaps you’ll be inspired to try them too! –Joy

Tell us about yourself and your piano teaching.

My name is Alexandra Schock, and I am a piano teacher in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I started playing piano at age five and have always been drawn to teaching piano. Growing up, I tried to teach both my dad and my sister—though neither was enthusiastic about learning. With a background in psychology, I love applying that knowledge to my teaching. I’m passionate about learning and regularly participate in professional development. Teaching continually pushes my own knowledge and limits, which is something I truly value.

What was the original impetus for using themes for your piano studio recitals, and why do you continue this tradition to this day?

I often think back to the excitement I felt as a child anticipating or experiencing fun events such as holiday festivals, birthday parties, prize boxes, or scavenger hunts. These events stand out in my mind as some of my favorite memories of childhood. I remember the butterflies of excitement and the pure joy of being wholly absorbed in the magic. I try to incorporate this kind of magic into my recitals, hoping they become such positive experiences for my students that they leave a lasting imprint.

Continue reading “TEACHER FEATURE: Alexandra Schock’s Themed Piano Studio Recitals” →
Announcements, improving as a teacher, Music Camps, Studio Business

My Summer Camp Plans for 2012!

Joy Morin

I recently started to do some in-depth planning for the summer camps I plan to offer this summer!  My studio policies provide students with two options for the summer months (June-August):

  1. Students ages 6-12 may participate in a camp each month plus take 5 lessons scheduled approximately every other week around family vacations, or…
  2. Students may continue weekly lessons (10 total) as normal.  Students who choose to continue lessons as normal are welcome to sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 summer camps on top of their lessons if desired, at a special rate.

Because I have such a range of ages/levels in my studio, I decided to make my camps very flexible so that students of a wide range of musical backgrounds (even those with no music background) can attend camp.  When my studio is larger, I will probably design camps for certain ages/levels.  For this year, I think it’s best to be flexible.  I’m encouraging my students to invite their friends to attend camp and I’ll put posters around town too.  I’m hoping for a turnout of about 4-8 students attending each camp.

Below are the descriptions I came up with for each camp.  What do you think — do they sound like fun?!  🙂   Continue reading “My Summer Camp Plans for 2012!” →