By: Renee Bordner
​NWE Music Studio Director

By: Renee Bordner
NWE Music Studio Director

By: Renee Bordner
​NWE Music Studio Director

I hope this finds you succeeding in your 2021 New Year Resolutions. If you did not make any resolutions or if you need to start over, NOW is the time!  You still have the rest of the year to make it your own.  

It was this time last year that we started to hear mutterings about a new rapidly spreading and deadly virus.  At that time, we did not know that this virus was going to change our world and day to day living.  As we approach the one year anniversary of the pandemic restrictions placed upon us, I want to take a moment to thank all of you.  I always knew that our Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio was special and different.  Supportive and encouraging have been how I have described our students and parents for fourteen years.  Team players have been how I always described our instructors.  Throughout this year, our students, parents and instructors have locked arms and reunited to support each other and bring more music into the world.  The support of our students who have been isolated due to remote academic learning, hybrid learning, limited extracurricular activities, and remote careers has been incredible.  The support of our instructors who have not been able to perform has been amazing.  Together we are all stronger blasting through the beginning of 2021.

In 2021, we have many exciting new year resolutions too!  Our resolutions include continuing many of our events with online twists and some new ones also!  Please check the newsletters often as we have a major outdoor event planned that is not like anything we have ever done before. We expect all of our students to participate in a day of music and celebrations in a covid safe environment.

As always, please feel free to reach out to me at any time with your questions and concerns about our lessons and events.

Musically yours,

Renee

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By: Renee Bordner
NWE Music Studio Director

One of the frequently asked questions from parents and instructors, is about how much a child should practice their music assignments.

I prefer to have students start with a simple formula. Each student is asked to play each assigned piece four times throughout the week. I encourage students to make their goal of playing each piece a total of twenty times in between the weekly lessons.  Students are usually successful if they make tally marks on the music or in their assignment notebooks.  This visible tracking system creates an easy opportunity for us to discuss how the practice went throughout the week with the student, parents, caregiver and myself.

In order to keep the practice interesting for our beginner students, I ask them to focus on one element each of the four times they play each piece.  The first time, students are encouraged to play the piece through focusing on the correct notes. The second time they are asked to focus on the rhythm and counting out loud or with a metronome (an app can be used). I ask students to focus on dynamics and any articulations the third time through.  The fourth time can be a lot of fun for some students and that is when I ask students to sing along while playing.  If the piece does not have lyrics, I encourage students to create them!

This system works well with beginner students who need structure in getting started with a solid practice routine.  Once a student can consistently achieve the above recommendations, then it is simple to increase the frequency and length of each practice session.  The process helps students break down the various elements of music into smaller steps.  When a student is in the habit of breaking the music into sections, it is very easy for a student to independently analyze what he or she should practice in a piece.

If your student or you have any questions about setting up a solid practice routine, please feel free to contact me for additional ideas.

Best wishes and have fun practicing!

By: Renee Bordner
​NWE Music Studio Director

​2021 is finally here!  I think the entire world is thrilled that 2020 is behind us!  

Originally, I had envisioned my word of the year for 2020 to be "grace" or "present" which I truly tried to adopt as my focus.  However in mid March "grace" and "being present" were replaced with "survival", "pivot" "perseverance" and "enough already"!

For 2021, what will our word of the year be?  Will it be "empower", "evolve", "resilience" or something else?  I am not sure yet.  I do know that whatever 2021 ends up being known for globally, there will be music.  There is music all around us all of the time.  Knowing that we will always have music is comforting and encouraging.  

As you start your 2021 New Year Resolutions be sure to include music in some way.  Best wishes to you and yours in the new year!

By: Renee Bordner
NWE Music Studio Director

No really, what is on your music stand?  If you are a musician or the parent of a musician, this is an important question.  A musician should be working on at least one piece of music that the musician selected to work on.  Yes it is very important for student musicians to work on warm ups, scales, method books, technique drills, etc..  If a musician has a recital, audition or competition then of course the musician should be working on preparing for the pieces specific to the event.  However, if a musician is not preparing for a major event it is also important for a student musician to explore a wide variety of music that is interesting to him or her!  There should be a balance for every music student of what is interesting, motivating and appealing to the student AND what the instructor believes will help the student continue to progress as a well rounded musician.  IF you believe that there is not a balance in your student musician's assignments, talk to your instructor and or myself.  I am always willing to help find new and creative ways to inspire a student musician.  In fact, here are a few of the piano pieces I have learned recently in order to prepare for my students' lessons... A Medley from the Halo 3 Video Games, The theme from the television show The Office, multiple pieces from Frozen 2 and "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns & Roses.  These pieces were very fun to learn since my students were excited by them.

So, ask yourself and your musician "What's on your music stand?" and consider adding more music that is appealing to your student musician.

By: Renee Bordner
​NWE Music Studio Director

​As the studio owner, as a piano teacher and as a mom I am often asked when is a good time for someone to start music lessons.  I am often asked if a child is too young or a senior citizen is too old.  I am happy to address this question here but if you have additional questions, please contact me directly.  I am happy to discuss your specific situation and help guide you in deciding what is best.

For me, the answer is very simple. If someone is excited and interested in learning then that is the perfect time or age to learn.  Students are never too old!  Sometimes students are too young for private one on one lessons and may be more appropriate for a group music and movement setting.  I do suggest starting very young students off with shorter lessons and an instructor who specializes in working with beginner students.

We do not have set semesters and required numbers of lessons for students for these very reasons.  Not all students' needs and interests fit neatly into semesters and lesson packages. I feel it is best for a student to start lessons when they are ready and interested even if it is in the middle of an academic grading period.

Another question I am often asked is how long of a lesson should my student have.  I typically recommend a half hour lesson for a beginner student and then increase the lesson time after a student shows signs of readiness.  To me signs of readiness include when a student says things like, "But wait I want to show you this!", when a student is still asking more questions that are relevant to the lesson even after the lesson is over or when a student simply does not have enough material to practice throughout the week.  In our Frequently Asked Questions section of our website, you can also see our team's recommendations on lengths of lessons.  http://www.note-worthyexperiences.com/faqs.html  these recommendations are truly recommendations and not set rules for our students. I always suggest discussing increasing lesson lengths with your instructor to weigh the benefits and discuss expectations.  

I am also always happy to discuss lesson plans, lesson readiness and goals for students at any time.  Feel free to reach out to me to chat further. 

By: Renee Bordner
​NWE Music Studio Director

I like many have been ready to wrap up 2020 for quite some time. 2020 has been a year for the record books for everyone!  I am looking forward to a fresh start and new year resolutions for 2021.  But first, we have a full weekend of seven holiday recitals and seven awards ceremonies planned!  We will watch, listen and celebrate 155 of our students' successes of the year!  This will be our first time hosting online recitals, this will be the first time we have had seven recitals in one weekend, and this will be our first time with 155 performers!  While I prefer in person events, I am really excited about keeping a tradition alive in a new way!  We will have photos up on our social media after, so please take the time to check them all out.

In 2020 our students, instructors and our studio did have many successes!  Some successes included students learning to play their first note while some students won music competitions and auditions!  My phone and computer were busy with excited parents and teachers sharing the latest news with me. Our instructors also kept my phone and computer busy with news about babies, engagements, graduations and exciting life milestones.  We captured photos and videos of many of these and posted them on our social media pages.  I have found myself going through these voice messages, texts, emails and social media posts on some of our longer tough pandemic days. We truly did have a successful year in the midst of all that surrounded us.  I know that at the end of this year we are all stronger.  

I do hope that you and your family take a break from the daily busy routine and enjoy time with those who are important to you this holiday season even if it is over a video chat.  Thank you for your support of NWE during 2020.  We look forward to continuing to work with you and your family in 2021.

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By: Renee Bordner
​NWE Music Studio Director

​My friend, Christina Granahan, wrote this piece about how creativity accesses all three centers of intelligence. Please take the time to read her article ​https://christinagranahan.com/category/blog/. By now, all of us have heard that listening to music is "good for you" and "therapeutic". Reading Christina's article may help you understand how and why music benefits us humans. Feel free to send us your thoughts on the article and tell us how music affects you.