Wizard of Oz Music Camp

The Wizard of Oz holds a special place in the hearts of many, with its timeless story and unforgettable music. For decades, it has captivated audiences of all ages, transporting them to the magical land of Oz. I’m thrilled to invite you and your young adventurers to join us on a whimsical journey down the yellow brick road with my FREE 3-day online camp inspired by the Wizard of Oz!

Continue reading “Wizard of Oz Music Camp”

Meet our January 2024 Members of the Month!

Allow me to introduce you to our January 2024 Members of the Month, Rowan (9) and Brietta (7).
They have been members of Busy Kids Do Piano for over 2 years and attend school at home. Fun facts about them include living in a 100-year-old house where they leave their Christmas tree up year-round to decorate for every holiday. How fun is that? The parents raise chickens while the kids raise worms and build all sorts of contraptions out of the items found in the recycling bin. And this is quite a musical family as well. Mom and dad play piano and trumpet, and the entire family sings in choir. Sounds like a lot of fun in this household!

Continue reading “Meet our January 2024 Members of the Month!”

Why and How to Introduce Kids to Opera

Music is a powerful force that can enrich a child’s life in countless ways. In the vast world of classical music, introducing kids to opera opens doors to a unique and enchanting experience. Let’s explore why opera is a fun and interesting way to connect kids with the rich history and relevance of classical music. Continue reading “Why and How to Introduce Kids to Opera”

A Round-Up Of Hanukkah Music Resources

 

As the Festival of Lights approaches, what better way to immerse your family in the spirit of Hanukkah than through the enchanting world of music? Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting your musical journey, I’ve curated a round-up of Hanukkah music resources that will add a delightful touch to your celebrations. From podcasts to piano tutorials and playlists, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Continue reading “A Round-Up Of Hanukkah Music Resources”

Musical Nutcracker Activities

 

‘Tis the season to bring joy and festive fun to your doorstep, and I’m here to make your holiday season as merry as can be. Think of me as your musical Santa, delivering a sack full of delightful Nutcracker activities that will turn your home into a winter wonderland. Without further ado, let me present to you the “Busy Kids Do Piano Best of Nutcracker” list—a compilation of my top 5 Nutcracker activities that are sure to bring smiles to your little ones’ faces.

Continue reading “Musical Nutcracker Activities”

Free Printable Piano Flash Cards

 

Learning to play the piano is an exciting and rewarding journey, but it comes with its own set of challenges, especially for young beginners. One of the fundamental skills that budding pianists need to develop is a solid understanding of keyboard geography. Knowing where each note is located on the piano is essential for playing melodies and reading sheet music. I’m thrilled to offer a free printable set of piano flash cards that are designed to help young piano students grasp the layout of the keyboard. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of keyboard geography, how these flash cards can be a valuable tool, and how to get your hands on this free resource. Continue reading “Free Printable Piano Flash Cards”

5 Ways to Get Out of a Piano Practice Slump

Today, I want to talk about something that many musicians OF ANY AGE experience at some point: the dreaded piano practice slump.
Maybe you’re having a difficult time getting back to regular piano practice because you’ve been traveling or busy and haven’t had a chance to sit down at the piano in a while. Maybe you’re struggling with motivation. Regardless of your reason, I believe that with a little determination and some helpful strategies, we can overcome this together!
Here are a few tips that might help you get out of your piano practice slump:

Continue reading “5 Ways to Get Out of a Piano Practice Slump”

August Members of the Month

Allow me to introduce you to our August Members of the Month, the Brander family. They have been a part of Busy Kids Do Piano for over 1 year, and have two boys in the program, Dominic (11) and Allen (8).
The boys attend school at home and access the BKDP online materials several times a week. We love the enthusiasm and commitment, boys!
Melissa, mom to the boys, took 8 years of piano lessons as a young person and has spent some time in music programs through church. She says the boys initially started taking piano lessons from their “Oma” (grandmother) but were unable to continue after she moved onto a boat!
Melissa shares, “Playing piano is important to me so that [the kids] have a solid understanding of music. Additionally, I think that learning to play an instrument brings a lot of brain benefits for people of all ages! We really like the practice challenges to help keep them motivated.”

Continue reading “August Members of the Month”

Be a Kid Composer

Simply stated, I’m obsessed with fall. Around this time every year, I pull out my favorite coat and boots, and start wanting pumpkin-flavored treats and warm cider. For our download this month, I wanted to give your student an opportunity to relish the delights of fall as well. As we near November, the days are shorter, the rain clouds linger, and the leaves turn golden. It’s a very special, beautiful time of year and it tends to bring a certain vibe, a feeling quite different from the excitement of summer.  Continue reading “Be a Kid Composer”

Composer Cash Incentive

There’s always something nostalgic and appealing about play-money, isn’t there? I grew up playing Monopoly and LIFE, and I remember loving a nice stack of pastel-colored cash. It felt so empowering to earn and spend my money, making grown-up types of deals with high dollar values. I bet you could tell me the color of the $500 bill in Monopoly, right? That’s how impactful these kinds of games are to us as kids! 

This month, I wanted to create that feeling for my students. The download contains printable Composer Cash, featuring a different composer on the various bills, as well as a reward chart. But the rest of the challenge is up to you, and provides a great opportunity for you to connect with your student in a meaningful way to discuss not only their piano goals, but also what kinds of incentives mean the most to them.  Continue reading “Composer Cash Incentive”