Cavalcade of Rhythm 2014: Pirate Partners

Ahoy there!  The Pirate Partners put on a fabulous show and everyone had a great time! There were 413 students registered and 51 teachers participating.  Here is a little video of one of the groups that performed at the 5:30 p.m. concert. (My apologies in advance, this is NOT a professional video!) 

Professionally videographed DVDs are available, if anyone is interested.

Three of our past DVMTA Presidents were instrumental in the success of this performance, Linda Carpenter, Lisa Hunt and Lorri McHardy stepped up and gave hours upon hours of service to ensure we had the best duet ensemble experience possible. Thank you! 

DVMTA past Presidents and Cavalcade Chairs Lorri McHardy (left) & Lisa Hunt (right)

Past DVMTA President and Cavalcade Committee Member, Linda Carpenter (right) with Tamra Pew (left)

DVMTA teachers were instrumental in the success of this event.  Volunteers included monitors, conductors, set-up and clean-up crew, ticket sales and so many others we can't begin to list them all. The teamwork exemplified by DVMTA teachers is the perfect example of a true ensemble!

Drummer Preston Cameron (left) with Captain Grey Beard (aka Gregor McHardy) 

Keisha Weight (left) and Carolyn Rooder(right) selling tickets at rehearsal

Toni Tetreau (left), Kathy Overall (center) and Judy Hauer (right) help with ticket and DVD sales  

Hillary Bitter helping with performer check-in

Gene Cline conducting the finale

We can't forget to thank all of the teachers who spent countless hours preparing their students for this fabulous performance. 

Alayne Favreau and students 

Charles Newton (conductor) and some of his students

 Congratulations to all who participated, we hope that you had a great experience!  See you next year! 

DVMTA Student to perform at ASU

Congratulations to Eric Lin, student of DVMTA teacher Hong Zhu! Eric is the First Place winner in the Senior Division of the 2013 Steinway/Avanti Future Stars Competition.  Steinway Piano Showroom and Caio Pagano proudly sponsor this competition, dedicated to perpetuate the artistry of piano playing, to nurture musical talents, to bring Arizona to the highest standards of International Competitions.

If you are looking for an opportunity to expose your students to beautiful music, this is a concert you will not want to miss. Eric will be performing this Saturday at the Katzin Concert Hall at Arizona State University at 5:00 p.m.  Best of all, admission is FREE!  

The 2014 Competition is just around the corner.  Students play for a jury consisting of wonderful musicians from around the world.  Contestants ages 10-14 compete in the Junior competition and ages 15-18 compete in the senior division.  Cash prizes are awarded to the top 3 winners in each division.   For information about this competition, contact The Steinway Piano Showroom.

Making Music A Family Affair

Making Music A Family Affair

Teaching siblings from the same family presents a variety of challenges and opportunities.  On one hand, if the siblings are close in age and at all competitive, music lessons can become another manifestation of sibling rivalry.  Or, in the case of the family pictured above, music can become an expression of the loving bond that knits the hearts of a family as one.  

These 3 sweet sisters are close in age and started group lessons via the Let's Play Music curriculum at the same time.  At the end of the first year, the older two sisters were ready to advance to the keyboards, and we decided the younger sister would do better repeating the first year of the curriculum. During that first year of instruction, she was a shy withdrawn, insecure student: always allowing her older siblings to take the stage.  The following year she began to open up; Her smile became brighter and she was able to find the music within herself. 

This first year on the keyboards she has been so excited to learn how to play Halloween is Coming using both a major and minor chord.  In the Let's Play Music curriculum, students learn to play chords and self accompany as they sing along.  As this sweet young lady came to take her place at the piano in her very first piano recital (Music Marathon) she seemed excited; anxious yet confident.  I asked if she wanted to sing by herself or have someone sing with her, and her initial choice was by herself.  As she played the first 2 chords, she suddenly stopped and whispered that she wanted her sisters to come sing with her.  The two older sisters and her mother quickly took their place behind her at the piano and they all sang together.  Confidence returned as she was strengthened by the support of those loving family members.

It was in this moment, that my mission as a music teacher was fulfilled.  I teach to bring the joy of music to others.  I believe whole heartedly that parental involvement is an important key to the success of a music student.  But most importantly, I believe in the POWER of music to strengthen relationships, facilitating the bond of a parent, child and siblings.  In this sweet moment, the simplest of songs unified a family in support of a developing musician.  

Music Marathon 2013

Music Marathon 2013

October 26, 2013

Our Annual Music Marathon was held Saturday, October 26th, and it was a great success!
This year, we had 44 teachers participate with 557 students. We have received very positive feedback from each of the venues. They had nothing but good comments about our students
and families. Many of the venues provided popcorn for the students. We were very happy with each of the venues this year. Each of the recital rooms was nice and spacious. The parking was also very convenient for our families. We appreciate Jason at AZ Piano for helping us get two beautiful grand pianos to two locations.

Our students shared their talents all day at the following locations: The Citadel Retirement Community, Legacy Retirement Residence, Tower Point Resort, Park Regency, and AZ Piano.  There were quite a few residents at the retirement communities that were able to come and listen to the children perform. They are always the best audience and truly appreciate the students. Some students performed in their Halloween costumes, and some recitals had a theme. Each and every student was able to share what they have been learning so far this year, and each musician earned a ribbon for their performance.

Thank you DVMTA teachers for doing such a great job preparing your students. They were all on their best behavior. Thank you for your support. We hope it was a great event for your studio!  And a great big THANK YOU to Tammy Shorts and Paula Mahoney, our Music Marathon Co-Chairs.

A Music Marathon Recital at Park Regency 

Some students who performed at Tower Point

These students performed at Legacy Retirement Residence

More students who performed at Legacy Retirement Residence