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Dana, who’s been studying electric guitar for about a year now, demo’d her rock and roll skills this week for some preschoolers! She treated them to Wipeout, Wild Thing, and other classics, while educating them on the instrument. Proud of her! Dana is our online student from the Florida gulf coast, who has studied piano … Continue reading “Dana’s rockin’ the Strat!”

Here’s Matthew G and all his ribbons and certificates earned 2020-2021: exams in Theory and Keyboard Skills sponsored by the MN Music Teachers Association. What a Go-Getter!

In June, Cheri presented at the Minnesota Music Teachers State Convention, “Teach Boogie Woogie Piano,” a curriculum developed at Sykes Piano Studio. The presentation concluded with this boogie woogie mashup from our 2020 Recital by young student Dana. At our studio, Boogie Woogie piano is a winner with students of all ages and levels!  

Drew just graduated from Piano Pronto Movement 1. He’s progressing nicely! He’s enjoying practicing on his new digital piano (cool!). Drew also began learning trumpet this year. Piano lessons make learning a second instrument so much easier! IMO, a background in piano is essential for ALL musicians, making everything much more understandable.  

Last weekend, Lindsey filmed and submitted her MMTA Contest piece, “Mashed Potato Clouds,” last weekend. This is her third year of participating! Here’s a link to her performance video: https://youtu.be/UkGIaATECQ0 Good luck, Lindsey!  

Sykes Piano Studio became a recording studio this week, as friend and Klondike Kate Shar Salisbury, with Cheri on piano, recorded and videoed “Swinging’ Away the Blues.”   The video will part of an online fundraiser for the Angel Foundation #notesofhopevirtualangelfoundation, raising funds for adult cancer victims and their families, mnangel.org.

This year give the gift of music! Four 30-minute online piano lessons for $75 (usual rate is $115). All you need is a keyboard and your tablet, phone, or laptop. Learn your favorite song. Chording, note-reading, improvisation. This is a perfect time to learn! Go for it!  Go to Register Now! on this website.

Dear Piano Parent: Naturally, you want your student to enjoy piano.  You want piano lessons to be a success.   You understand the need for daily, consistent practice in order to develop skills, and your role in making that happen. However, you worry that, by enforcing the expectation of daily practice, your child will chafe, … Continue reading “Piano Parenting: Set Your Child Up For Success!”

Flashback from last June’s video recital: Henrik, dressed as a porg from Star Wars. broke everybody up as he provided interpretive dance to brother Erich’s recital piece.

Standard equipment when you are teaching online: an overhead webcam, screen-shared on Zoom. Students can see how it is played. I can also easily record a video and send to you! The beauty of technology….