When to start?
Now, as soon as they have an interest. As long as they have the motor skills to get started, I say let them. I love to start kids as young as four or five years old.
Parents, what is your role?
I think it is incredibly helpful when parents are involved. When young, students need help practicing. As they get older, parents don't have to practice with them as much, but need to help them be consistent in their practicing. It is up to you and your child if you would like to be in the lesson, but if they are very young, please plan to talk to me at the end of every lesson so I can explain to you what they are working on.
Voice:
In today's world of Musical Theatre's music, there are many thoughts on how to sing: belt, mix belt, and traditional/classical. Ms. Betsy's specialty is teaching Musical Theatre. For her students, she believes they should always start with good classical technique, then move into contemporary Musical Theatre music. As they move into learning how to belt and sing other pop styles, the students will have better tools to do it correctly and not hurt their voices.
Theory and Sight singing: I believe that it is very important for voice students to know basic theory, count, sight singing and even be able to play their melody lines on the piano. Each voice lesson has an element of theory woven into slowly help them feel more confident as a musician.
Piano:
I love the Piano Adventures Lesson and Theory book series. It does a beautiful job of explaining each new concept and adding in theory terms all through out. My goal for my pianists is to be able to learn to play musically, basic sight reading, good technique, and a good working knowledge of theory.
Violin:
My violin training is in Suzuki violin. As with the other instruments I teach, I love starting kids young, but also love working with teens or adults who would like to pick up a instrument.