For beginner-intermediate to expert players in K-8.

Piano with Andy will meet on Tu and Friday from 3:30-5:00 in the Seminar-Recital room and use the Baldwin and Yamaha keyboards for small-group lessons (limited to 4 players–See below the jump for Notes on Advantages of Group Music Lessons). Piano with Andy will be a natural next-step for students who have mastered the basics of Piano and reading music in the Kiwanis Music Lab and who have a real desire to take their piano playing to the next level. First class is Tuesday, Feb 21. Click here to download: PIANO Afterschool Sign-up Form.

You can hear a clip of Mr. Ingersoll’s playing here: Andy Ingersoll “Spheres” clip.

Questions About the Program? Please send email to <a.ingersoll@att.net>

Mr Ingersoll is a professional performer and experienced teacher who has played in many local musical productions in the San Diego area (he is currently performing in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”) Andy gave an fantastic lesson to 5th and 7th-8th graders on the features and capabilities of the grand piano and it was clear from the students’ reaction that he is a both a natural teacher and an inspiring player.

Notes on Group Music Lessons:

Advantages:

• Less expensive – The more people in the class, the less each student needs to pay. This can be a large determining factor for some families, especially given the current economic environment.
• Peer competition can be healthy – If a student knows that they will be performing in front of their peers, they may be more likely to practice their assigned pieces to avoid making mistakes in front of others. Also, they may have more incentive to do their homework if they do not wish to be the only student who didn’t finish their homework.
• Social time – Given the peer interaction of group classes, group lessons offer social time for the students. With multiple students, teachers have more flexibility to play games and hence, students may think lessons are more fun.
• Can learn from others – When students see other students their age and level play the piano, they can learn from observation, instead of a teacher verbally telling them. Many of the world’s top schools (Tennis, Music-link to The Talent Code) do not have private lessons.
• Ensemble skills – Playing in a group means that students are forced to listen more to their peers. This can develop their ensemble and ear training skills.
• Longer class time – Group classes are longer than private lessons (group lessons are typically an hour vs. 30 minute lessons for young children beginners).