A Confession And An Invitation...

Dear Friends,

I don't remember exactly when I found this on the internet.

But there it was -- Simply Music.  (www.simplymusic.com)

As someone with a passion to help nonprofits through writing, videos and marketing, I also love music.  My degree is in Music Education from the U. of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, but after teaching music in a public school, it didn't feel like the right fit for me.

I was led to teaching piano. But the traditional reading-based approach was challenging for students. They had to get their fingers moving properly, figure out the coding of notes on the page, and then work out the math of reading rhythms.  Not easy!

Inside, I wished there was a system to teach people how to learn piano in a different way.  On a short-term basis, over the years, I've performed on piano at senior centers, served as a musical director at camps and worked with local theatre groups.  That was fun, but not regular enough.

Eventually, I found my way into working at a commercial music company, where I developed my writing chops.  I learned to write lyrics for comercials, wrote trade shows, videos, ads and articles.  It was very fulfilling.  :-)  

After about seven years, at the urging of friends, I started my own writing and production company - Park Avenue Productions.  It's quite rewarding. Through my work, I've helped organizations raise awareness, increase revenue and build new relationships.  I'm still eager to serve more clients. 

I recently started an online radio show, "Make A Positive Difference" through BlogTalkRadio.com.  It's a wonderful platform to help nonprofit leaders, as well as inspirational speakers, authors and practitioners share their positive stories and attract more followers. 

So -- if you haven't guessed by now, I have plenty to do.

But I must confess.  I still miss being around music.  So -- when I discovered Simply Music, I couldn't get it out of my mind.  It's called a "breakthrough" piano method. For over a year, I just thought about it... wondering if I should get involved.

What is it?  An Australian-developed method of teaching piano -- where the reading process is intentionally delayed for about a year -- while students learn all styles of playing music -- pop, blues, jazz, classical, arranging, improvisation -- and play immediately!  A playing-based approach vs. a reading-based approach to learning piano.  The results have been proven to produce geometric leaps in learning.  It made so much sense.  And it seemed incredible.

The more I read, the more YouTube videos I watched, the more I realized -- this is amazing!  :-) 

Even those who don't believe they're musical (usually due to some teacher's negative comment), discover that we're all inherently musical. 

So -- I recently got licensed in Simply Music.  I'm the third licensed Simply Music teacher in Illinois.  It started in 1998, but most people still don't know about it... Yet Simply Music teachers are already providing the gift of piano to thousands of people of all ages in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the U.S. 

It's an exciting venture... giving someone the gift of playing piano right away.  The group piano method takes commitment; it takes practice, and in the case of children, it takes parental involvement.  But it does work! 

Music is a language.  It needs to be spoken before being read.  Makes sense, right?  If you're at all curious, check out Simply Music on the internet. 

I'd also like to invite you to attend my free Simply Music Intro Session on Wednesday, from 4:00-5:00 pm, at Northshore United Methodist Church, 213 Hazel Avenue in Glencoe.  Anyone is invited.  Children need a parent.

To reserve your space, please send me an email with your name and number at ATime4Piano@gmail.com.  If you can't make it, but would like to come at another time, let me know.  I'm going to teach Simply Music piano on a part-time basis, so I'll have a limited number of openings.

I'm already giving lessons at the Lake Forest Senior Center, and will be at the Northshore United Methodist Church in Glencoe and the Winnetka Community House (w/intro sessions in December). 

If you've ever dreamed of playing piano, and would like to just be able to sit down and play -- I invite you to a new experience... it's simply wonderful!