Fun Group Piano Lesson- For Adults Only!

For those of you who read my posts you are aware that, in addition to my weekly private piano lessons, I do one monthly group lesson. Being Suzuki based, the lessons are for kids and parents. In my earlier years of teaching, the lesson included theory or history followed by performance. Since I now have a smaller studio, the group nights are performance and chat about concerns or compliments on what the kids are doing outside of piano.

But last night I hosted my first ‘For Adults Only’ group night. I invited the parents for a wine and cheese party as a thank you for all the work they do at home with the kids. In a Suzuki based piano course the parent ’s involvement is paramount. I am so fortunate to have parents who truly buy into the program and work very hard with their children, making my work easy and fun. As far as I could see it, the parents deserved a reward.

Needless to say, the evening was very well received. We began by filling wine glasses, passing cheese and crackers and a plate piled high with sushi and some other little taste treats. I lead the discussion by asking what concerns they had or asked if there were things they wanted to share about lessons or practice. As I had guessed the conversation flowed easily.

It was good for the parents to share stories without their kids there and to have an audience who shared a common job. I had assumed that one topic the parents would hit would be how to get their kids to practice more. To my surprise, some parents had the opposite problem; they were limiting their kid’s practice so that other things could get done!

Another topic that was a hot conversation point was how long should the kids be taking lessons on two different instruments. I then realized that most of my students were taking piano lessons plus another instrument. The kid’s activities ranged from karate, basketball, figure skating plus many musical organizations. Many were in jazz band, orchestra and chorus.

I knew I had amazing students and that they are really nice kids, but as the parents started talking about what their schedules are like and the challenges of being in multiple music groups, I had even more appreciation for these kids and parents.

We may not have solved anything too dramatic, but it was a fun night for all. The parents in my studio are bonding. On their departure I heard them say, ” See you next week,” as they look forward to the kid’s group lesson night.