Meet our November Members of the Month Sansha and her two lovely children Hazel and Linus from Melbourne, Australia. Hazel is 8 years old and is currently enrolled in Busy Kids Do Piano. Eight year old Linus is not enrolled in piano but is currently studying the trombone.
What’s your musical background?
I learned piano for a number of years as a child, but wasn’t terribly committed and rarely practiced but despite this, I think it was a very valuable experience. I did always enjoy music and belonged to the school choir and orchestra.
Anything fun or unique you’d like to share about your family?
I am a working single Mum so we are always busy. We love to different activities as a family and love to travel and experience the world.
How do you structure piano lessons/practice for your family? Any tips to share?
I was never a ‘good’ piano student, and I’m probably not a ‘good’ piano Mum. That is why I love Carly’s program. When paying for private lessons, we would miss one or two, or forget to practice and it was easy to justify giving up because I was ‘wasting’ my money. With Carly’s program, we can be amazing and dedicated for a couple of weeks and then completely forget, or just be busy with other aspects of our lives and that is OK! We just get back to it when time permits. With a separated family and as a full time working single Mum, time and energy is precious and this program lets us work in our own crazy and ‘up and down’ way.
How did you learn about Busy Moms/Kids Do Piano?
I honestly can’t remember exactly but I’d guess I was googling for Piano lessons.
Do you have any stories you’d like to share about your musical journey with piano lessons?
Last month Hazel performed in her school recital. We are very lucky that her school offers this sort of opportunity, where the Kindergarten to Grade 2 students can perform pieces they are learning in their private music lessons. It was such a wonderful experience for my daughter, and she developed such a sense of accomplishment and pride from her efforts. It is amazing what she learned from that seemingly simple experience.
What is your goal with having your child learn to play the piano?
I love the way music brings people together. I remember many happy times singing along with a friend with a guitar, or around a and I want my children to have that joy. I’m also a school teacher and I think that, in an ideal world, music should be part of every child’s education. I think it teaches so many important skills: patience, fine motor skill, perseverance, language, mathematical relationships, managing frustration, collaboration, imagination, creativity, among so many others. It is also something I wanted to share with my daughter. I love how using Carly’s classes, she and I can learn together.