 | I offer lessons in:- Adult Piano Methods
- Children's Piano Methods
- Classical Piano
- Popular Piano
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Interested in taking lessons with Karen?
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Karen Hesterly | Offering private lessons in
Weslaco, Texas |
Ancient saying: “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.”
Offering children's and teen's piano group classes for Pre-K through 12th Grade and private lessons for adults.
You may call now for new group classes starting this summer or a group of four friends, children or adults, may start any time. New students are grouped by age and experience. No young children will be scheduled with older children even if in a family group. Students who wish start immediately may schedule 2 private lessons a week for a short time and join a group when they catch up. Now would be a good time to register for new summer classes.
Classes offered:
Animal Notes class starting on Monday at 5:30 in June for 5 & 6 year olds
1. Early elementary:
New Available class for young children: The Animal Note Method of teaching music is based on associative learning. The oval of each note of the Grand Staff is modified to resemble a familiar and friendly animal that is easily recognized. A suggested short story about the location of each Animal Note's position on the Grand Staff is part of the educational experience. These stories give word clues that when associated with the standard music notes provide a successful transition, thus making learning to read notes much easier and actually fun to learn and to teach. Small keyboards are acceptable for this class.
2. Older elementary:
Students begin with a traditional note reading method and favorite children's songs. Students may begin with small touch sensitive keyboard but will soon outgrow them.
3. Age 12-adult:
Beginner teens and adults will start with traditional note reading method plus contemporary pop and broadway tunes and easy classics.
Did You Know that Piano Lessons help Children in School...........
*Learn pattern recognition and problem solving
*Raise Self Esteem
*Improve Coordination
*Help Children to Concentrate
*Fosters Music Appreciation
*Provides Emotional Release
If you have ever considered lessons for yourself or your children, I would be happy to talk to you. I've successfully taught many students of all ages over the years and would enjoy talking to you about how learning music benefits your entire life! I will be glad to answer any and all of your questions and concerns. And remember, regardless of your age, it's never too late to learn! Adults that have always wanted to learn to read and play piano but never had the time, well, NOW is the time. Piano Classes for Seniors are also available. It's a relaxing and fun time. Some "Me Time!"
My Teaching Background
I love teaching group lessons and enjoy the classes! I have taught privately for over 30 years and group for several years, and now almost all my students are in a group. I have also served as Choir Director/Organist for various churches in Boerne, San Antonio, and in the Rio Grande Valley. I began piano at the age of 7, and continued through college, adding 7 years of organ study at UTSA in San Antonio as an adult. I grew up in Pharr but my husband and I left when he went to work for Delta Air Lines. I also worked for United Air Lines for 10 years in New York City and Atlanta until shortly after our son was born. When my husband retired we returned to the Valley and we now live in Weslaco.
Almost everything done in music is with a group, whether it is school choir, band, orchestra, or playing for a church choir or congregation. Various classes are grouped by levels and age and each class works on the same material together as one big piano student. Group lessons offer some benefits not readily available with one-on-one teaching. Rhythm and listening skills are quickly developed as students play music together, learning the importance of musical cooperation, staying with the beat, and listening while they play. In group lessons, students' motivation to practice increases, friendships are formed, and the pieces played sound fuller and more interesting earlier in the learning process. Students play on full size digital pianos with weighted keys in my class.
Lessons should not only be educational, but fun and relaxing. Students will use a basic method book including theory, Classical Music, Scale Skills, Rock 'n Roll and Jazz, and Popular music. Supplementary music will include Christmas music for the Christmas recital and more advanced students may study music to play in their church for offertories or preludes. The Spring recital usually includes any music the student has studied that they would like to play.
Making music and making friends combine in classes to create a rewarding musical experience. A class takes on a spirit and energy that is impossible to achieve in individual lessons.
You may email to set up a trial lesson or call me @956-968-5102. Transfer students may fit into a current group. New students may be able to take private lessons until they can work into a group. Several people starting together may form a new group. New groups usually form at the beginning of a semester: Fall, Winter, and Summer but may be formed any time there are 3 or 4 students who would like to begin class. You may register and ask to be notified when a new group is starting. I am located near John Knox and Memorial Elementary School.
Lessons are Monday-Friday after school.
Group lesson fees for children and teens
$15.00 per lesson, Group lessons are affordable, quality lessons, with each student on a good instrument and longer lesson time than private at a lower cost. Lessons are 45 min. for elementary and 60 min. for teens.
Private Lessons are offered on an as needed basis.
15 min. for Pre-K and Kinder $15.00
30 min. lesson fee: $25.00 per lesson
Studio policy: All lessons are charged by the month in advance. No charge will be made when the studio is closed for vacations at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break. For scheduled lessons, there is no refund for missed lessons. Lessons during the summer are scheduled around family vacations and students are expected to continue some of the summer with no charge for vacations. Any student missing a lesson is still expected to let me know in advance. For anything other than an emergency, it's best to let me know the week before. Students may be able to attend another group or if a private student, schedule another time.
To be accepted as a student the student must have an instrument at home on which to practice.
Practice at grandmother's or a friend's house or at school is just not going to last and will become a burden without an instrument at home. Students will need either an acoustic piano, a digital piano, or for the young child a touch sensitive keyboard at home to begin piano lessons and should expect to practice a few minutes at least 5 days a week. Please do not expect a keyboard to last longer than about 6 months of lessons if you are a teen or adult before you are asked to purchase a piano as a primary practice instrument to continue.
Small portable keyboards are not suitable for piano lessons past the primer level as they are not full sized and do not have the same "touch" as a real piano. It doesn't take but a few months for older elementary and teens to get past primer level. The difference between them is enormous; comparable to driving a lawn tractor versus driving a car. Both have steering wheels, tires and gasoline engines but function very differently.
If you can't afford a keyboard and a piano, save the money you would spend on lessons for a piano and start after you get a piano. Serious shoppers will find a way to locate bargains but remember that even a "free acoustic piano" will cost a mover and a tuning. All students who wish to study late elementary music though advanced music must have a full sized acoustic or digital piano. For piano purchase or rental I recommend Valley Keyboards in McAllen at 10th and Harvey.
If you are interested in learning to play, I would look forward to meeting and working with you.
Centrally located to Weslaco, Donna, Alamo, San Juan, Edinburg, Edcouch, Elsa, Mercedes, and Progreso.
Karen Hesterly @968-5102
2 blocks north of John Knox Village on west 8th St, one block west of Border Ave.
map it: copy and paste in browser
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http://www.learningmusician.com/Karen |
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