Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Congratulations Briana, Class of 2021!

 

Briana has been playing piano since 3rd grade and began studying with Christina in 6th grade.  Briana participated each spring in the Sioux Falls Area Music Teacher Association Piano Festival where she earned top ratings.  She was also active in high school marching band color guard and middle school and high school choir. Briana was recently inducted into the Spanish Honor Society program and has received numerous academic awards throughout her high school career.  Briana will be attending the University of South Dakota in Fall 2021, where she will pursue a major in Secondary Spanish Education and will participate in the Honors Program.


Saturday, June 6, 2020

Congratulations Aidan and Austyn Class of 2020!


Congratulations to Aidan Christensen, a member of the 2020 graduating class at Roosevelt High School! While there he participated in marching band for four years and winter guard for two years along with being part of the concert bands, Symphonic orchestra and percussion ensembles. In band he was awarded the Director’s Award which goes to an outstanding student that displays a high level of commitment to the band that is above and beyond their peers. Aidan began piano lessons since second grade with Nora Christensen and studied the last few years with Christina. Aidan participated in the Sioux Falls Area Piano Festival for 9 years, every year since 2012 where he consistently received the highest ratings. He also participated in Piano Guild for five years with superior and superior plus ratings. This past year Aidan auditioned and was selected to compete in University of South Dakota’s first Young Artist Recital Competition. Aidan placed first in the Winds Percussion class for his marimba solo “Surface.” He placed second in the piano class playing Arabesque by Debussy. He is planning to attend Augustana University in the Fall of 2020. His major is undecided but plans to minor in music. He will be working with Augustana’s band, playing percussion and maybe some piano.

Congratulations to Austyn Elizabeth Smithback, who graduated from Harrisburg High School as a member of the class of 2020. She has competed on the varsity track and cross country teams and has been active in Student Council, HOSA, and NHS. Austyn started piano lessons with Nora Christiansen in 1st grade and began later studies with Christina Humpal in middle school. Austyn participated in the Sioux Falls Area Piano Festival for several years receiving high ratings, and she recieved first place at the SDMTA state competitions in 2014 in the Junior Duet category. Austyn will attend Augustana University in the Fall and major in biochemistry.

Friday, January 11, 2019

Welcome back to piano lessons, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break. With the winter chill in the air, 'tis the season for piano lessons! I currently have a limited number of piano lesson times available for new students.

The Spring Semester runs 17 weeks and concludes May 18 with recitals at Dow Rummel set for May 11 and 12. This semester we will also be having piano parties March 13 and 14 at Schoppert's piano gallery. We will have a performance class where students perform a piece for their peers, followed by fun music activities and games. The Sioux Falls Area Music Teachers will hold a Mid-Winter Recital Sunday February 10 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and the cost is $10 to participate. This recital was formerly known as the All-Boy Recital but now all students can participate.

On Saturday March 16, SFAMTA will hold their annual Piano Festival at Augustana University. Students play two pieces from memory and receive a rating, comment sheet, and certificate. Students who participate in the festival 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 11 years will receive a trophy. It is recommended that students complete one full year of lessons before participating in the piano festival. The non-refundable registration fee is $20.

Please let me know if you would like your child to participate in any of these events. I am looking forward to teaching a piano semester of learning through discovery!

Monday, August 27, 2018

Fall Semester

I hope you all are having a relaxing and funfilled summer. I know the time has flown by way too fast and before we know it school will be starting again. I can hardly believe the Fall Piano Semester will begin in less than a month on Tuesday September 4 after Labor Day. I currently have a limited number of piano lesson times available for new students.

The Fall Semester runs 13 weeks and concludes December 15 and 16 with holiday recitals at Dow Rummel. This semester we will also be having piano parties October 29 and 30 at Schoppert's piano gallery. We will have a performance class where students perform a piece for their peers, followed by fun music activities and games. Because this event is close to Halloween, students are encouraged to wear a costume! Another fun and exciting event planned for December is the Sioux Falls Area Music Teacher Association (SFAMTA) duet recital Sunday December 2 at First Presbyterian Church.

Along with traditional 30 and 45 minute lessons, I will also begin offering partner lessons this semester. A partner lesson runs one hour and the cost is equivalent to a 45 minute lesson. Two students of similar age and skill levels meet for their weekly lesson together. They will work on repertoire, technique, keyboard theory, and games. This option should encourage students to practice more because they are meeting with a friend on a weekly basis.

Finally, I have updated my studio policy effective September 1, 2018. I plan to run my studio at full capacity this year and the biggest change to the policy is that I am unable to give make up lessons. Please read the new studio policy carefully. I am offering some reasonable alternatives to make up lessons such as a swap list, Facetime or Skype lessons, or piano parties. This is a transition many professional piano teachers have made the past few years and I feel that this change is for the best.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Welcome Back


Our first day back to lessons will be Saturday January 6.  Please contact me if you need to confirm your child's lesson day and time.  The attached calendar is a comprehensive listing of important dates for this semester including Music Olympics set for February 15 and our recitals will be held at Dow Rummel May 12 and 13.  I currently have openings for students Wednesdays after 7:30, Thursday at 5pm, and Saturday afternoons.

All Boy Recital: The Sioux Falls Area Music Teachers Association will be holding their annual All Boy Recital Sunday February 25 at St. Therese Catholic Church.  This would be a great opportunity for boys to perform their festival pieces for an audience and showcase their musicality.  The cost is $5, please let me know by January 26 if you would like your son to participate.

Piano Festival:  As a member of the Sioux Falls Area Music Teachers Association, my students have the opportunity to participate in the annual piano festival.  Students perform 2 pieces from memory and receive a certificate and comment sheet.  Students receive trophies for 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 years of participation in the piano festival.  This year's piano festival will be held at Augustana University March 17, 2018.  Please reply to this email and let me know if you would like for your child to participate in piano festival and I will have some repertoire choices ready the first week.  Also remember to include the $15 registration fee (non-refundable) along with the first tuition payment.

Sunday, May 7, 2017

Spring Recitals and Summer Lessons

Our Spring Recital will be held at Dow Rummel Village in the chapel at 3:30pm on Saturday May 13 and Sunday May 14  The chapel at Dow Rummel has a beautiful, well maintained, Steinway grand piano.  I feel that this is one of the best pianos in Sioux Falls!   Dow Rummel is located in the northern part of Sioux Falls near Russell and West.  
If you would like to bring recital treats to share, please drop me an email and let me know how many (dozen) you plan to bring.

Whether your child has played in several piano recitals or if this will be their first piano recital please take a moment to review the following:

1.  Please arrive 15-20 minutes early.  If you are not sure where Dow Rummel is located please ask, and also leave early so that you will not be rushed.

2.  Please bring your music!  While many students will have their music memorized, some students may feel more comfortable with the music on the stand.  I ask that everyone bring their music to the recital.

3.  As a matter of respect, please plan on attending the entire recital.  The recital should last about 30 to 45 minutes.  All students have worked diligently this semester and this is their time to shine. Students may sit with their families during the recital.  If you have a younger child who starts crying or likes to run around please take them to the hallway outside of the chapel.  Also, remember to silence your cell phones and other electronic devices.

4.  When it is your child's turn to play at the recital they will make their way towards the piano as the previous student has taken a bow and is leaving the piano.  Each student should adjust the piano bench so that they are not too close or too far away from the piano.  After they sit down they should take a moment to think about tempo and dynamics and the first few measures of their piece.  After their performance they will take a bow and return to their seat.  We will go through this sequence and bowing at an upcoming piano lesson.

5.  After the recital there will be an opportunity to take pictures by the piano and we will have cookies and punch in the foyer.

6.  Along with the families and friends of my piano students, the residents of Dow Rummel are also invited to attend our recital.
The last day of our Spring Semester is Saturday May 13. If your child’s lesson is normally after 2pm on Saturday afternoon please contact me for a make-up lesson time.  Due to my full schedule, we may need to meet the week following the recital.  The week following the recital is also reserved for make up lessons from the week when I was sick.  This would include Monday students whose lesson was after 7pm, Tuesday and Wednesday students, as well as Thursday students whose lesson was after 7pm.  
The Summer semester will begin Monday May 22 and go through August 12 . Please contact me to set up a summer lesson schedule. It is helpful to know if you would prefer weekly lessons or lessons every other week and what days/times work best.  I will begin the process of finalizing summer schedules this week.  Please understand that if your child does not participate in summer lessons they will not be guaranteed a time slot when the Fall Semester resumes in November. 

Saturday, December 3, 2016

Holiday Recitals

Our Holiday Recitals will be held at Dow Rummel Village in the chapel at 3:30pm on Saturday December 10 and Sunday  December 11.  The chapel at Dow Rummel has a beautiful, well maintained, Steinway grand piano.  I feel that this is one of the best pianos in Sioux Falls!   Dow Rummel is located in the northern part of Sioux Falls near Russell and West.  
If you would like to bring recital treats to share, please drop me an email.

Whether your child has played in several piano recitals or if this will be their first piano recital please take a moment to review the following:

1.  Please arrive 15-20 minutes early.  If you are not sure where Dow Rummel is located please ask, and also leave early so that you will not be rushed.

2.  Please bring your music!  While many students will have their music memorized, some students may feel more comfortable with the music on the stand.  I ask that everyone bring their music to the recital.

3.  As a matter of respect, please plan on attending the entire recital.  The recital should last about 30 to 45 minutes.  All students have worked diligently this semester and this is their time to shine. Students may sit with their families during the recital.  If you have a younger child who starts crying or likes to run around please take them to the hallway outside of the chapel.  Also, remember to silence your cell phones and other electronic devices.

4.  When it is your child's turn to play at the recital they will make their way towards the piano as the previous student has taken a bow and is leaving the piano.  Each student should adjust the piano bench so that they are not too close or too far away from the piano.  After they sit down they should take a moment to think about tempo and dynamics and the first few measures of their piece.  After their performance they will take a bow and return to their seat.  We will go through this sequence and bowing at an upcoming piano lesson.

5.  After the recital there will be an opportunity to take pictures by the piano and we will have cookies and punch in the foyer.

6.  Along with the families and friends of my piano students, the residents of Dow Rummel are also invited to attend our recital.

The last day of our Fall Semester is Saturday December 10th. If your child’s lesson is normally after 2pm on Saturday afternoon please contact me for a make-up lesson time.  Due to my full schedule, we may need to meet the week following the recital.  The Spring semester will begin Monday January 9, and the lesson schedule will remain the same as Fall.  If your family has a time conflict due to other activities please let me know and I will do my best to resolve any scheduling issues. 
Duet Recital: The Sioux Falls Area Music Teachers Association will be holding their annual duet recital Sunday January 22nd at Augustana University.  A few students have been practicing duet pieces this semester and this would be a great opportunity for them showcase their teamwork skills and musicality.

Piano Festival:  As a member of the Sioux Falls Area Music Teachers Association, my students have the opportunity to participate in the annual piano festival.  Students perform 2 pieces from memory and receive a certificate and comment sheet.  Students receive trophies for 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10 years of participation in the piano festival.  This year's piano festival will be held at Augustana University March 18, 2017.  Please let me know if you would like your child to participate in the piano festival.  These last few weeks of the semester are a great time to choose festival music.