Embark on the Journey of a Lifetime

I've had some great success with young students, and there have been some awful failures.  I welcome young students, but want to prevent  fiascos. I hope the following is helpful.

Beginning piano students who are very young or learning-challenged need support from an adult during lessons and while practicing at home, especially in the first year.  When I take on a young student, I expect the adult to attend lessons so s/he can learn what the child needs to learn.  I expect that adult to help the child develop good practice habits daily at home.  A supporting adult does not need to know any music do this.  I will teach you what you need to know.  Do not send your nanny or au pare as a substitute unless she is getting paid to be the home piano tutor; otherwise, she will pay more attention to a phone than your child.  Think of music lessons as a wonderful way to connect with your child for 20-30 minutes a day, and focus all your attention on this special little one.  As your child's discipline and skills mature, your involvement can diminish.

Please make sure your child has some interest in learning how to play the piano, or that you are going to instill this interest with your support.  I do not want recalcitrant students who don't want to learn getting dumped off for piano lessons.   This is a waste of the parents' money and my time.  Other teachers are willing to give lessons under these conditions, and I encourage you to contact Kailua Music School so they can help you find one.

Many people know that Mozart was a child prodigy who composed his first piece of music at the age of  five. Few know that it wasn't magic.  Yes, he was musically gifted, but his father (Leopold Mozart) was an accomplished violinist in the musical establishment of Count Leopold Anton von Firmian (ruling Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg, Austria) who tutored his two children every day.  Mozart began at the age of three by imitating his older sister and was formally taught to play by his father at the age of four.  Recognizing both children's talents, Leopold Mozart stopped composing, and the family traveled around Europe with the two child prodigies performing for Imperial courts.  You may have no intention of turning your child into a Mozart or Michael Jackson, but if you start them very young, you must be involved in daily practice and weekly lessons if you want your child to learn how to play piano properly and progress.

Mahalo.