Reintroducing… VivoKeys Group Classes!

“Community” is an important element of the culture of my studio. Private piano lessons are my favorite way to guide students in their journey as a musician for so many reasons…but the path of private lessons to play solo piano tends to be…well…lonely. Learning becomes more vibrant when we learn with and from our peers. Group learning provides a way for us to encourage, motivate, inspire, and challenge each other. One of the hardest parts of moving my piano studio across the country (from Austin to San Diego) has been rebuilding a vibrant community from ground zero again. It takes lots of time and interaction among the students. And now I’m exploring ways to do this in the midst of a global pandemic. Great timing, eh!? Well, that’s okay…because we need this right now, more than ever! We’re better together!

Photo by Bisakha Datta on Unsplash

What is a Challenge Group?

• I have combined my students into small groups of 3-4 students who are close in age. Each challenge group has a group chat in Tonara (the app we use to share assignments & record practice time.) so they can share what they learn. This is meant to be an opportunity to connect with other VivoKeys Students throughout the week who are close in age.. Together we will:

  • have fun

  • create

  • encourage, motivate & inspire one other

  • learn together.

• The weekly challenges will come in different forms. Some will be quick and easy, and some will take some time and effort. Some will even be group projects!

How will my students experience community in the VivoKeys Piano Studio?

• Monthly small group classes (which will be held on Zoom for now)

• VivoKeys Challenge groups - weekly activities that we do as a group, or share with our group via their group chat in Tonara, or my Noteflight Learn site.

• Performance opportunities (i.e. - recitals, performance groups on Tonara, etc.)

What types of activities will happen in Group Classes?

• Learning & reinforcing theory concepts - usually through games

• Listening activities

• Performance opportunities

• Music history

• Most of all… Fun!

Photo by Bisakha Datta on Unsplash

Noteflight Learn

• Another tool we will be using, in both private and group settings, is a web-based music notation software program called Noteflight. We will be able to create and share compositions & theory activities on my private VivoKeys Noteflight Learn Site. We will also be using their new software called SoundCheck which allows you to record your composition & exercises and receive immediate feedback on your accuracy.