Welcome to piano lessons with Vonda Padilla.
My philosophy of music education is that music is a unique and worldwide language all its own. Every person hears and speaks this language. Everyone has his own vocal instrument and can sing, speak, chant, etc. The piano is a great tool for learning to read and share the language of music. Each person will relate to the piano differently and it is my goal to give every child an opportunity to learn the music language through piano. “Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”
What I’d like to know from each parent is what goal do you have for your child regarding piano and his or her music education. Some goals are simply to have a love of piano, while others may want to have specific songs you want your child to learn. Since I work to serve you and your child, knowing where we’re headed will definitely help me lead us there.
Piano learning is a TEAM effort. PARENTS set the goal, which I can help establish. STUDENTS will be responsible for attending the weekly lesson prepared for learning. Students should bring any notebook, lesson books, theory books, and sheet music being practiced each time to the lesson. Parents need to help practice by following the written weekly assignments and encouraging each child to continue during the easy songs and the challenging ones. Some days will be full and hard to make practice time. I understand that this happens. But, just like brushing your teeth, students should do it every day (5-6 days each week) to keep the piano playing clean, polished and shining. When a student practices consistently he or she can begin to master songs and then it’s fun to play!
During the lessons I understand that mistakes will be made. That’s ok! That’s expected. That’s reality. I do NOT expect perfection. What I do expect is weekly progress and a willingness to PLAY on the instrument available. Students need to experience new things and then just keep doing it!
I’ll assign scales and warm-ups, theory, lesson songs and “fun songs”. Classical variety, learning composers, folk songs, popular songs, hymns or religious songs and finger-strengthening studies can all be included. Please tell me if you have favorite songs, artists, bands, and composers. We’ll learn this music together.
Please discuss your goals with your child and I will, too. I’m looking forward to helping your child obtain the goal you’re setting together. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to help your child learn the language of music!
I’ll provide a Piano Lesson Assignment Book where I’ll write a specific lesson to study each week. I’ll make suggestions for lesson books for beginning and continuing students as needed. Note reading, sight-reading, singing, basic music theory, and some composition will be included in the lessons. Since each child has a different learning style, it’ll take a little while to get to know each one, so any input you have, as parent will help me tremendously. My goal is to help each child strengthen weaknesses and continue to improve strengths. Please keep in touch with me by email, phone, or in person.
"Music does bring people together. It allows us to experience the same emotions. People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit. No matter what language we speak, what color we are, the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith, music proves: We are the same." ~ John Denver ~