Songbird Piano Lessons

(For those of you wondering what on earth this is, it's a competition that happens every week in my studio. Students memorize the word and its definition. Each word gets their name on my brag wall and earns them a point towards a small prize. I think they've all been enjoying this -- no one's been slacking off on it.) This week's word is: Accelerano Becoming faster

(To learn more about my piano studio,  click here .) "What happened ?" my sister exclaimed. She had just walked into the studio as I was putting the finishing touches . . . on this. My very own masking-tape grand staff, complete with all the earmarks of "homemade." Real professional, right?     I grinned. My next student, a cute, high-energy, young beginner was about to practice note-reading in a way that would be different than normal.     When he came in, I explained to him what was up with the masking tape. I'd call out note names. His job was to "hop" on the corresponding space or line -- left foot for the bass cleff, right foot for the treble clef.   Here he practices "A."     Why the trouble? Because drilling gets old fast, and little boys have too much energy to sit on a bench for half an hour. Why not harness that energy towards learning, rather than trying to curb it?    Truth . . . I...

   Snow swirls around the streets of Leningrad, Russia. Pedestrians pull winter coats tighter around themselves. Car lights shine through the flurries. In one large, multi-story building, a window on the corner of the building is lit. Inside the room, frost decorates the window panes. The only occupant – a young man, with a spark of life in his blue eyes – turns out music, gorgeous music, on the upright piano against the wall. He wears a heavy overcoat and plays with a pair of medium-weight, knit gloves – for his dormitory room has no heat.    At this point in the narrative, the music teacher jerks his enraptured student back into the present – modern Edmonton, a warm and very comfortable music studio, and the two Yamaha baby grands sitting side by side – with this question:    “ Have you ever practiced with gloves on?”    Ahh . . . no, I hadn’t. My house always had heat?!     My music teacher, undeterred by my blank look (w...

Who says music education can’t be fun? Starting this fall, you will have the opportunity to give your child the chance to enjoy learning music close to home. Using fun and games to teach, I give piano lessons to children ages 6-10. My goal is to create in my students a love for making music, and through three years of teaching I have learned a lot on how to do this. The students I teach are always smiling when they walk into my studio! To find out more, click on the What’s New tab to find my contact information. 

Spring registration now open! Call me at 780-967-3391 or e-mail me at wienspiano@gmail.com to pre-register your child for spring lessons!     Through fall students excelled under the Word of the Week challenge. This spring we will add quick composer facts to our basic study plan. I'm looking forward to hearing what our young musicians-in-training dig up! 

Contact me with questions you may have, and with your permission, I will post and answer these questions on this page. Please be sure to specify whether you want me to answer by posting, or to answer you privately via e-mail. 

My name is Sarah Wiens, and I live on Township 540, mere minutes away from Onoway, Alberta (Lac St. Anne County).     I have my Grade 10 Piano certificate (First Class Honors), as well as three years of experience teaching children. Though I specialize in ages 6 - 10, I will accept preschool beginners.     I will teach private, individual classes to ensure that my teaching is customized to your child. While my emphasis in style is classical, I also encourage improvising and composition.     I can help your child prepare for an RCM exam up to Grade 6, and theory exams up to Advanced Rudiments. Participation in the local Parkland Music Festival is encouraged.