Part of my studio philosophy is that you and everyone around you benefits for life from instrumental music lessons! We've all heard how music lessons help students achieve in school - and even before!! It's also been proven that music provides benefits throughout your life where wellness is concerned!

Music lessons are an Investment in your child's Life. Yes, an Investment. Yes, their Life! What better investment can a parent make?

Let's look at it practically, first. You have probably paid good money for the instrument (or for rehabbing Grandpa's!). However, if there is no regular private instruction on how to play the instrument, then what are you doing to make the most of that investment? Even better, what is that showing the child? What is the investment really worth to your child? Does it have meaning? It should!

Here are some more practical thoughts:

- Parents know where their kids are at night, when they're at band practice.
- Kids who take lessons have higher test scores.
- Practicing for a regular lesson is a responsibility that can give discipline and a sense of personal achievement.
- College admissions officers think that kids who have taken private lessons are best bets for prospective freshmen, because these students have already shown a high level of commitment.
- High school musicians get more scholarships than those who participate solely in sports, because they get more all-around or academic scholarships in addition to those for music.

Then we have the personal benefits of music. There are great lifetime social benefits from music! The school band and orchestra, the pep band, the musical, ensembles - all of these provide an instant place for your child to "belong." After school, he or she can participate in community groups, drum corps, or college organizations. Instrumental groups are a great way to meet new people with similar interests when you go to a new place! Private lessons help your child to get into these groups.

Special needs and learning disabled children can benefit SO much from regular lessons. Click here to read more...

BUT - A 15 minute checkup every 10 days (if that) by a school teacher is NOT "regular lessons." Group lessons do not teach your child good playing technique - they just learn the notes. Practicing a few lines in a book and some band music every 8-10 days is Not learning how to play an instrument, and it's not learning anything about music - it's doing some minimal homework!

The more your child can do with their instrument, the more fun they have and the more they benefit. When a child plays to the best of his/her ability, the more confidence they have - and this spills over into *everything*! SO -- it's up to us as parents to make sure our kids get the most they can from playing. Regular lessons are the ticket! Lessons + regular practice = greater achievement in school and in Life!

AND - just because you graduate, doesn't mean you have to stop playing! You do Not have to be a music major to continue enjoying and experience playing an instrument. Music plays such an integral part of students' lives and development, that giving up that part of life is like giving up a part of oneself, and should be avoided at all costs! When you are personally involved in music, it always remains a part of you.

Why do you think people keep their instruments, even up in the attic, long after they graduate? No one wants to give up their old friend, because they have a personal relationship with music!