Classes
The majority of Michelle's students take individual lessons of either 45 or 60 minutes in duration in piano, guitar, voice or composition. Students range in age from 3 to 85 years old. Michelle offers small group lessons for children and small Ensemble classes for children or adults at her studio.
Lessons are student led in that Michelle will take what the student comes with and build from there. Obviously there is a broader 'syllabus' happening as Michelle ensures that each of her students grow into thinking musicians who can both read and interpret different styles of music and improvise or create by ear using a growing knowledge of theory, technique and harmony.
Michelle insists on the immediacy of improvising her lessons according to what the students bring to the lesson but was tied down once long enough to write down what exactly happens in a class...
Group Lesson Procedure:
- WARM UP
The children arrive, are responsible for removing their coats and shoes, taking out their music, washing their hands and settle on the carpet with their snack while I introduce a new musical concept for the week. - ACTION PHASE
We work on our new music concept on paper, sometimes using percussion to reinforce rhythmic concepts and finally at the piano. I introduce theory or colouring papers to reinforce the new musical concept. While the children work on these, each child in turn shows me their progress with their individual piece. Some weeks, we also work on our group song for recital which the children compose. - CLOSURE AND RECAP
I recap our new concept and what the children should be working on that week to develop the concept. The children play their pieces one more time and celebrate each other's progress. They are very supportive of each other. Performing for our peers is superb practice for recital and builds confidence and trust.
The objective of doing the class this way is to establish a well rounded musician by not only teaching the instrument, but also establishing group cohesion and respect for each other while covering basic music theory, ear training, composition and ensemble (group playing) in addition to working on solo pieces. We also work on focus and transitioning, both important skills young children have to develop.