Thursday, July 29, 2021 by Anita Byers | About

In the fall of 2012, I started teaching piano again after several years of not teaching. At the time, I was keeping extremely busy as the Nevada High School accompanist, but kept thinking about how much I had enjoyed teaching piano in the past.  I kept getting requests for lessons, but wondered how I could fit being a piano teacher into the crazy show choir schedule.  I put a lot of thought into what changes I would incorporate into a new studio.  I wanted piano lessons to be different - not just using the same old method book that every piano teacher used.  I wanted the music to be engaging and exciting.  I wanted to use technology – so many new apps to try!  I wanted lessons to be fun and DIFFERENT!  

As I begin year 10 of Anita’s Piano Studio here in Nevada, one of my summer projects was to write a mission statement for my studio.  I had just never put it into writing, but I think this summarizes what I want Anita’s Piano Studio to be about.

These are the things I want my students to achieve:  love making music, keep playing through adulthood, have fun during our piano class, get to do creative things like composing, improv, games, gain confidence as a musician and learn to be independent learners.  

Beginning a new piano year is always exciting for me! Summer is filled with planning for the new year.  This year we will be using a lot more of composer Andrea Dow’s WunderKeys books and music. I’d love to give other students the opportunity to perform for her like my oldest 10 students did this past April. The World Tour performances rank at the top of my best studio memories! Here’s a link to the World Tour video in case you haven’t seen it. https://youtu.be/VIk3043KlYU   

In addition to more great music, there will be more theory games, duets, trios, ensembles, improv, composing, lead sheet playing and MORE! 

The fall semester begins on August 30.  I’m so ready to hear the laughter and beautiful music from my students again.  Let the fun and learning begin!

Thursday, July 1, 2021 by Anita Byers | Group Piano

Two years ago I attended a 3-day group piano summer training in Texas.  That workshop solidified my decision to shake up my studio and move to group classes.  Looking back on that decision I made in the summer of 2019, I’m now seeing the dramatic results with those students who stuck it out and adapted to these changes.   

• My students play so much more rhythmically.  One of the benefits of meeting in groups is that we do a lot of playing together.   Duets, trios and ensembles are all a regular part of our classes.  This has developed a strong sense of rhythm and steady beat in my student’s playing.   

• It’s more fun!   Musical skills and fundamentals are taught using group games and activities that are fun to experience with others.  

End of year music escape room

• Group piano establishes a sense of group spirit that naturally increases motivation.  Everyone is practicing more!

"I like spending time with the other players" --Olivia

• Their performance skills are much improved. Rather than only performing once or twice a year at recitals, students are performing for each other in a relaxed environment every week.

• They are becoming independent learners. They are learning through observation, team work, and problem solving under my guidance instead of me holding their hand through each and every note.   

"I enjoy learning all the different songs and being able to have lessons with other people." --Paige

• I can offer longer lesson times which gives more time to learn new music with my guidance along with adding in composing, improvisation, lead sheets, music theory games and music apps.

• They are learning the skills of playing in an ensemble.  This is especially valuable for those who wish to go on to play in band, choir or even provide music for church services and/or praise band.

Interested in my piano room setup?  Watch the studio tour video here.  

Saturday, June 26, 2021 by Anita Byers | Music Apps

In March 2020, I began a trial use of the app Tonara in my studio.   This was one of the absolute best things that came out of the pandemic.  In a time when all lessons were moved to online, I was able to share recordings, instructional videos, assignments and communicate throughout the week with my students to keep them playing.  It was such a success, that I subscribed to the app for all my students and families! 

When a student joins my studio, they are sent login and password information.   If a student has their own apple or android device, I also encourage the parents to have the app on their device as well so they can monitor the week’s practice.  From time to time, I send out studio announcements to the entire studio, so that is another reason for parents to have the app on their device. There is no additional charge for the app – it is included in your tuition.  

Weekly assignments, along with recordings and videos as well as suggested practice time for each assignment are on the app.  No longer do we have lost and crumpled assignment sheets or the “I didn’t know what to practice” excuse!  😊 I believe this is a help to both students and their parents.

Most of the new pieces I assign have a tutorial video that I have recorded.  Here’s what student Paige said about her Tonara experience. “My favorite thing about the Tonara app is to get to do video lessons so that if I need to I can go back and watch it.  Another thing that I like about the Tonara app is being able to listen to the song to play with it and make sure I have the right notes.”  

There is a message feature and I encourage students who have questions during the week to send me a message or record their piece for me to listen to mid-week.  First year student Audri said “My favorite thing about Tonara is when you send text messages.”   

And finally, here’s what Cora has to say about using Tonara. “Tonara has helped me track my progress at home and my favorite thing about Tonara is that I can communicate with you so much easier.” 

It is unanimous – we love Tonara!