🍁 Happy Fall Y’all!

We are off to a great start with our Selah Music Studios! We have many exciting things planned for this term including Fall into Music Bingo and a Rhythm Group Theory Lesson coming in October. See the portal for dates and register there for the time that works best for you. We also will be starting POP UPS periodically. 

✴️ What is a POP UP?

I am glad you asked! Our amazing teachers always have a little more to give. So, we are implementing a new idea to share more musical knowledge in a fun and engaging way through POP UPS. We will create content like: Creative Composing, Basic Percussion, Vocal Exploration, Meet the Composers, and MORE. This class will be about an hour and will not be “on the calendar” but rather it will POP UP as we get our creative juices going. Any Selah student will be able to come but POP UPS will be based on content, age, skill, and desire. Our first one will be in October. Information on POP UPS will be shared in the studio and in a separate email. They will be based on a first come first serve basis and there will not be any extra charge. We just ask that you only sign up if you will be there so we don’t keep someone else from coming. The first one will be on Creative Composing. So, if that topic sounds fun, watch your email box later on for a formal announcement. Sign ups will happen through the portal…eventually…when they POP UP. 

🗺️ We are GROWING again! The BEST compliment is a referral.

Will you please help us spread the word for Liliana Caples, our new piano teacher in NW Ankeny? Here is a bit about Liliana: “I graduated from Hannibal-LaGrange University with my Bachelor’ in Secondary Education in Mathematics. I was always involved in music during college, however, participating in many ensembles, including traveling choirs and a band where I lead worship whilst playing keys at multiple camps. I also performed in the musicals where I met my husband. Music has given me so much!” to read more visit our website.  Please let your friends know we are registering now for Liliana to begin teaching in October. 

Practice Habits

⭐The beginning of a semester is the perfect time to establish good practice habits. Students that invest time during the week at a set aside time typically enjoy their instrument simply because they are growing and learning at a pace that is enjoyable. Please consider these tips to help your student earn a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ lesson every week! 

• Participate with your student. After each lesson, check the practice journal so you will know how to encourage your student. Keep practice time light-hearted and your child will want to practice. Remind them to work towards earning 5 STARS every week. Consider your own reward when your student comes home with a 5 STAR lesson. 5 skittles for 5 stars? 5 minutes on a game? 

Be sure to initial the journal page!

• Help establish a consistent daily practice routine. Find a regular daily practice time and stick to it! Before school? During the nightly routine? After dinner? No negotiations. Consider breaking up practice time into small increments. Save media for after practice. Good practice habits make learning an instrument much easier, less frustrating, and more fun. Also, consider where your instrument is located. Children rarely enjoy being alone. The placement of your instrument can help your student tremendously. 
• Make practice sessions fun and positive. Be generous and warm with your praise while being specific and sincere. “You are doing really well.” “What do you think you need to work on in that piece?” As much as children enjoy playing instruments, most of them don’t have the discipline to practice on their own. Your job is to make sure that quality practice happens on a daily basis. “I can’t wait to hear you play!” Be sure to enjoy listening. 

Thank you for allowing us to make music with your family. We consider it a JOY and a privilege. Please reach out if you have any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Shelia Miguez

Selah Music Director

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🍂 FALL TERM 

Fall term begins Monday, August 26th. The Portal has been updated and all students are added at the time agreed upon. Group Theory Lessons, Recitals, and Holidays have all been updated. Here is our Calendar at a Glance. But, please be sure to log in to the portal to see specifics for each teacher. The portal is a very important tool for our studio. Please use the portal to cancel lessons and to send emails to your teacher. Your teacher may use the portal to communicate with you, and to post links for games, music, and more. You can always access your invoice and pay tuition through the portal as well. 

📜POLICIES

A few things to note🎵 Our annual student fee of $25 will be added to your September invoice. Please see our policies if you need clarification. You can always access our FAQs and Policies on our website. Only a couple of things have been updated in our policies including a tuition increase of $5 per month for piano students in January 2025.  We have not raised tuition in several years, so I look forward to giving our teachers a small raise in 2025. The beginning of the semester is a great time to read over the policies. If you have questions or concerns about anything, please reach out to our Studio Director –  Shelia.