20 years of Kindermusik with the Lataif's

I started teaching Kindermusik in 1989.  I have had many families come through the program during the years, but one family has just finished 20 years with me! Louis and Susan Lataif moved to Rome in 1996 when their first child, Emily, was about 2 years old. Susan always started the kids in Our Time classes and could easily have taught the classes because she knew all the songs.  She loved her one on one time with her toddlers, but often had a baby or older sibling in tow.

Charlie's last Kindermusik day and all are accounted for except Emily

The children continued in Kindermusik through all the curricula, and she often had 3 or 4 kids in different classes.  The kids in Young Child classes were often lucky enough to have Dad join them for sharing time.  This family appreciates music, and immersed their children in music.  All the kids have played the piano, Emily and Frances even took piano in college.  Ted has recently started learning the trumpet.  Renee wants to learn the violin and guitar.

Frances, Ted, Renee, Ms. Kathryn, George, Charlie and Philip

The Lataif kids, 3 girls and 4 boys, are always polite, courteous and friendly.  The boys can be rambunctious and rowdy, but Susan knows how to reel them in.  One of the things I loved about having Susan and her kids in Kindermusik was that she was a great parenting model.  She enjoyed her children, but didn't worship them.  She was always interested in people and hearing their stories.  She made sure her kids listened and didn't interrupt adults that were talking.  She let them make mistakes and suffer consequences.   

Emily and Frances, the first in the long line of Lataif's

Ted playing the recorder at a sharing day

Kindermusik celebration for George, with older sister Frances

Philip in an Imagine That class

Susan, Charlie and Renee march in an Our Time class

Did I mention she homeschool's her kids?  They are scheduled and have routines.  They take tennis lessons, they are involved at church, the boys are in Scouts, the girls sew and knit. The Lataif's all help out at home.  Every spring they go to the local strawberry farm, each pick 2 buckets of berries (62 pounds this year!) and then home to help make jam.  I have been the recipient of delicious strawberry jam for many years.  The kids know how to take initiative, because they know their mom and dad aren't going to do it for them.  Emily will graduate from the University of Dallas this weekend.  Frances attends Catholic University of America in DC.  Ted will go to University of Illinois this fall to study Aeronautical Engineering.  George is often flying his drone and taking videos, many that have been used on local news sites.  Renee just completed a National program for piano guild auditions, memorizing 8 pieces, playing all minor scales and transposing! She received a superior rating.  Philip and Charlie are also taking piano and doing great.  They have a regular practice schedule at their house, and I think the piano must be busy all day long.  That is music to my ears!

Thanks Lataif's for letting me share in your life these past 20 years. It's been wonderful and you will be missed in Kindermusik.

2015 Christmas card

Thoughts on piano lessons

As a piano teacher for many years I am often asked my thoughts on learning the piano.  Let me share my story!

I grew up in a rural area of Florida, and I only knew a few people who played the piano.  I had a toy piano, and I must have banged on that a lot as a kid.  On my 7th birthday, a big truck pulled up to the house. I told my mom that this truck must be at the wrong house, because it was a piano company truck. It was in the right place, my grandparents purchased a brand new Baldwin piano for me!  I'm sure I was excited at first, but then came the lessons.  I could tell you many things I recall about those lessons, but the bottom line is I didn't like it.  I wanted to quit.  Long story, but I continued taking and now my career involves teaching music!

Parents tell me how much little Johnny loves music, how they always go to the piano at grandma's and play. So, they want to start Johnny in piano.  Did anyone ask Johnny if he wanted to take piano? Maybe he goes to the piano at Grandma's because there isn't much to do there! Just because a child likes to sit and play, doesn't mean they are interested in the specific techniques of learning the instrument.  There are lots of children who like to splash in the pool and swim, but that doesn't mean they are interested in joining a swim team and learning good technique.

Here are my top five things you should consider before beginning private lessons.

1. Sing, move and play with your child in a musical environment.  If you are interested in music and learning, he will be too. I teach Kindermusik, and I believe it is the BEST thing you can do to provide a positive foundation in music fundamentals.

2. Determine if your child is the right age and stage for lessons.  Most piano teachers like children to be 7 years old. Their hands have grown and their fine motor skills have improved. There are many details in studying the piano, and patience is required. Studying music is not easy, but it provides many lessons beyond the songs they learn.

3. Provide a well maintained instrument.  Have it in an accessible location in your home...not near the TV! I believe it is acceptable to begin with a good keyboard if that is the best economic fit for your family, but an acoustic piano is preferred.

4. Find a teacher that is right for your family. Some teachers are flexible, some are not. Many teachers push students to enter festivals, and competitions and to memorize many songs.  Other teachers just have a couple of recitals a year, and their students don't memorize.  What do you want out of the lessons?  Find a teacher that can provide that for your child.

5. Make sure your child practices. Kids don't usually want to practice, nor do they want to brush their teeth or clean their room or do their homework. If your child is taking lessons, you need to help them set a time to practice. You are paying for these lessons, and they can be quite expensive, don't waste your money or the teacher's time with a child who doesn't practice. Encourage your child to have family recitals, play for grandma over Skype, or maybe to play at school on a talent show.  All these things will boost their confidence.  When they feel good about what they can do, they generally want to practice! Success breeds success.

How much should expect to pay for private lessons?  That depends on your location and the experience and education of your teacher.  Private lessons always cost more than group lessons.  Some instructors will come to you, but that results in a higher fee.

How long before I am able to see progress in my child?  Every child is different! Some children learn quicker, have a natural tendency, and practice is always a great indicator.  If a child is willing to practice consistently then you should hear lovely music in a couple of years.  

One last thought -
Piano is different than any other activity your child can choose.  With ballet, soccer, swimming, gymnastics, football, etc... your child goes to a practice and comes home. Piano involves going to the lesson, getting instruction and then home to practice. I believe that is why so many students don't enjoy it and drop out, it's lonely.  That is another reason to wait until your child is older.  The younger they begin then the parent has to spend more time helping the child practice.  That is why I encourage parents to enroll in Kindermusik, Musikgarten or Music Together before making the leap to private lessons.


Check out these links for more information: 10 Things you should know before your child begins piano lessons

Ideas from PBS on music lessons

How old should my child be to begin lessons?

Piano intro camp

Journeys is for children ages 6 -8 to explore the piano and the recorder in a concentrated study. The children get an introduction to the piano using the Yamaha Clavinova Lab in the Berry College Music Department. The focus is on becoming familiar with the keyboard using proper technique.

Recorder playing is also included in this camp, as it encourages fine motor skills, and gives the children the opportunity to learn another instrument.

To add spice to our time together the children enjoy adding percussion instruments to books. This ensemble time encourages cooperation, listening, and lots of fun!

This class will help you decide if child is ready for piano study. Students that plan to enroll in Beyond Kindermusik in the fall are encouraged to take this class.

This camp will be offered June 21 - 25 and July 12 - 16 from 10 - noon. Cost is $70. Class is limited to 8 children. You do not have to have a piano at home to enroll in this fun summer camp! Register by May 1 and deduct $5