Can you use a break about now? How about your students? Well, it's that time of year! Time to plan and schedule your summer camp so everyone can get a much needed break (plus have a lot of fun too). Over the years, summer camp has become and win-win in my studio....
Are you finding that families are starting to burn out from online lessons right now? If it makes you feel any better, this is the time of year families start to burn out regardless. Online or in person, they are ready for a break. This is one reason why I like to do...
Over 20 years ago, I started what became one of my big win-wins in my studio. After years of frustration, I decided to replace regular lessons in December with a holiday camp. I call my camp, Christmas camp but it can really be called whatever you want. Winter,...
I kicked off my summer camp workshops last week! I wanted to share how easy it is to create a lesson plan for a summer camp using the resources you might already own. For this post, I will be giving an example of an easy composer camp that can be created by Composer...
Have any fun plans in store for the holiday season? I have been doing Christmas camp for almost 20 years now and will never go back to the traditional lesson format during this time because it has been such a win in my studio. Matter of fact, just the other day while...
After a disastrous concert tour in Germany, Saint-Saens withdrew to a small Austrian village and composed what would eventually become one of his best-known works, The Carnival of the Animals. I love teaching the music from Saint-Saens Carnival of the Animals to...
I just love this time of year. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas.... I LOVE Christmas music. It just has a way of lifting the spirits and I do not mind it one bit when I hear it in stores, restaurants or radio a little bit "early". Matter of fact, I was having...
Running Your First Summer Camp Podcast I had the fabulous opportunity to be interviewed by Tim Topham for one of his podcast episodes. If you are not familiar with Tim and all that he has to offer, you must check him out. On his website you will find great podcasts,...
Why establish ground rules? Here is the thing, I say it's better to be safe than sorry. It's always better for students to know what is expected of them before any problems should incur. Ground rules set a precedent and clear understanding of what you expect from...
I have learned a lot over the years when running a music camp. Some things are easy to figure out and some not so much. I thought I would share 2 Do's and a Don't when running a music camp with your students. Do Over Prepare! When I am creating my lesson plans for...
