In-Person Recitals Planned for this Fall!

 Hello Studio Families!

I am very excited to let you know that we have 2 in-person recitals planned for this Fall! 

We will be going to the Carlton Senior Living for a recital in September and another recital in December.  Please note that these two recitals will be on Sundays.  

We will continue to do Zoom recitals on Saturdays during the other months.  These recitals are great practice for in-person recitals and they are nice and convenient as well as fun!

The calendar is listed below.  Please put the dates on your calendar!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Ms. Tonya

Strings, Keys and Melodies

Fall Calendar

2023

Zoom Recital - Saturday, August 12, 11:00 am - Favorites

In Person Recital - Sunday, September 17, 2:00 pm (Please arrive by 1:45pm to tune stringed instruments)- Movies and TV Shows

Carlton Senior Living, 6915 Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove, 95758

Zoom Recital - Saturday, October 21, 11:00 am - Classical

Zoom Recital - Saturday November 18, 11:00 am - International Music

In Person Recital - Sunday, December 17, 2:00 pm (Please arrive by 1:45 pm to tune stringed instruments) - Christmas and Winter Music

Carlton Senior Living, 6915 Elk Grove Blvd, Elk Grove, 95758

Recital Calendar with Dates and Themes for 2022-2023

 Strings, Keys and Melodies Calendar

2022-2023

2022

August 6, 11 am - Zoom Recital - Favorites

September 10, 11 am - Zoom Recital - Country Music

October 15, 11 am - Zoom Recital - Classical

November 12, 11 am - Zoom Recital - International

December 10, 11 am - Zoom Recital - Christmas

Winter Break December 19- 30 - No Lessons

2023

February 11, 11 am - Zoom Recital - Romantic/Love Songs

March 11, 11 am - Zoom Recital - Music from Movies and TV Shows

Spring Break April 3-7 - No Lessons

April 22, 11 am - Zoom Recital - Pop and Rock 

May 20, 11 am - Zoom Recital - Jazz

June 17, 11 am - Zoom Recital - Disney

Summer Break July 3-7 - No Lessons

Contact Ms. Tonya for Zoom ID and Passcode!

2022 Calendar

 January - July 2022 Calendar

Lessons are available in person or on zoom. Contact Ms. Tonya for lesson availability.

Zoom Recital: Saturday, February 5, 11 am

Theme:  Disney Music

Zoom Recital: Saturday, March 12, 11 am

Theme:  Irish/Celtic Music

Spring Break:  No Lessons April 11 - 15

Zoom Recital:  Saturday, April 23, 11 am

Theme:  Jazz

Zoom Recital:  Saturday, May 21, 11 am

Theme:  Rock and Pop

Zoom Recital:  Saturday, June 25, 11 am

Theme:  Patriotic and Folk Songs

Summer Break:  No Lessons July 4-8

In-Person and Zoom Lessons Are Available

     It has been awhile since I have updated our blog!  Throughout the pandemic, the studio has continued to have lessons through Zoom.  We also had monthly recitals on Zoom, which has been a great way to continue to share our music with everyone while staying safe!  I think the Zoom recitals have been great and we will probably continue to have Zoom recitals in the future even after everything has gone back to normal.  I am so thankful for the parents who have continued with music lessons for their families!  The students have worked hard this year even when it was hard and all have grown musically!

     I wanted to let everyone know that we have begun having in-person lessons for those students and families that are ready to do that.  Not everyone is ready and that is fine!  So we will continue to do Zoom lessons.

    Zoom lessons are here to stay!  They are very useful for those times when rides to lessons have fallen through or when a student or family member isn't feeling well and doesn't want to pass the germs on to me!  So, even when a student has started to come in-person, zoom lessons will be available whenever it is more convenient.

    I do have a few spots available for new students to join us for the summer.  So contact me to set up a time to meet me and discuss music!

Sincerely,

Ms. Tonya

A.M.P.P.

A.M.P.P.

Assistant Music Producer Program

Do you want to learn to produce music performances?

Assistant Music Producers will learn:

Leadership skills – greet students and families and direct other students where to sit, where to put their instruments, when it is their turn to perform

Organizing skills – put together performance schedules and carry them out on the day of the performance

Performance Tech skills – tune instruments, adjust mics and volume

Requirements:

Must be 12 years or older

Must attend lessons and practice regularly

Must attend each recital, arrive early for set up and leave late after tear down

Follow recital dress code:  dress pants and shirts (or a dress for ladies)

Job Descriptions:

Assistant Greeter – Greet families and students.  Roll out the carpet and help get chairs for the audience.  Direct students where to put instruments and where to sit.

Assistant Tuner – Help other students tune their guitars, ukuleles and help Ms. Tonya tune violins.

Assistant Strings Director – Direct strings students to get their instruments ready for their parts in the recital.  Keep them quiet while other students are performing.  Direct them when to stay quiet and when it’s okay to go back to their seats.

Assistant Tech #1 Adjust mics, music stands and chairs in between students.  Help students open books and put them on stands or on piano.

Assistant Tech #2 – Cue the music for each student and adjust the volume for music and mics.

Assistant Program Director- Help Ms. Tonya carry out the recital program schedule.  Prep students to when it is their turn, check names off the list after students have their turn, and help Ms. Tonya direct the other assistants.

This is a great learning opportunity and will look awesome on your resume!

Sign up with Ms. Tonya to become an A.M.P. today!

2018 Calendar

Strings, Keys and Melodies

2018 Calendar

Recital:  Saturday, March 3, 2:00 p.m. at

The Commons, 9564 Sabrina Lane, Elk Grove 95758

Spring Break:  No Lessons March 26-30

Recital:  Sunday, May 6, 2:30 p.m. at

Carlton Senior Living, 6915 Elk Grove Blvd. Elk Grove 95758

Summer Break:  No Lessons July 2 – 6

Recital:  Saturday, August 4, 2:00 p.m. at

ACC Greenhaven Terrace, 1180 Corporate Way, Sacramento 95831

Recital:  Saturday, October 6, 2:00 p.m. at

The Commons, 9564 Sabrina Lane, Elk Grove, 95758

Recital:  Sunday, December 2, 2:30 p.m. at

Carlton Senior Living, 6915 Elk Grove Blvd. Elk Grove 95758

Winter Break:  No Lessons December 24 – January 4

2017 Calendar

Strings, Keys and Melodies 

2017 Calendar

Recital:  Saturday, March 4, 2:30 pm at

The Meadows, 9325 East Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove

Spring Break – No Lessons- April 10-14

Recital:  Sunday, May 7, 2:00 pm at

Camden Springs, 8476 Sheldon Rd, Elk Grove

Summer Break – No Lessons – July 3 – 7

Recital: Saturday, August 5, 2 pm at

ACC Greenhaven Terrace, 1180 Corporate Way, Sacramento, 95831

Recital: Saturday, October 7, 2:30 pm at

The Commons, 9564 Sabrina Lane, Elk Grove, 95758

Recital:  Sunday, December 3, 2 pm at

Carlton Senior Living, 6915 Elk Grove Blvd. Elk Grove

Winter Break – No Lessons – December 25 – January 5

Fall Calendar 2016

Fall Calendar 2016

Fall Recital – Saturday, October 22, 2:30 pm (please arrive at 2:15 for tuning) at

The Commons, 9564 Sabrina Lane, Elk Grove, 95758

Thanksgiving Break – Thursday November 24 and Friday November 25.  We will reschedule Thursday and Friday students.  Lessons will be as usual on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of that week!

Winter Recital – Sunday, December 4, 2:30 pm (please arrive at 2:15 for tuning) at

Carlton Senior Living Elk Grove, 6915 Elk Grove Blvd. Elk Grove, 95758

Winter Break – December 17- January 1 (no lessons). Lessons will resume January 2, 2017.

An Exciting Year of Learning at Strings, Keys and Melodies

We have had another great year at Strings, Keys and Melodies!

Last Summer, we had several summer camps including Mind Craft - music theory games and Dancing with the Stars-a week of choreography and dance.  We had a fun time learning and getting to know our fellow musicians.

In September we began our monthly incentive program.  Each month we kept track of

Composing and Improvising

Learning New Songs,

New Scales, Arpeggios and Chords,

Listening challenges,

Memorized songs,

Rhythm cups and Boomwhackers,

Ear training,

Review Pieces,

Performing for others,

Naming and playing notes.

Every time a student completed 6 challenges they would get their name on the "completed list" for that month and received a prize from the prize box!

In October we held our first recital at The Meadows. The first recital of the year was a great success!

In December we held our recital at Camden Springs.  The students did a great job composing and improvising Christmas and Winter inspired songs!

In January, each student wrote out the goals they wanted to complete this semester.  It is exciting to check them off and see what they have accomplished!

In April we had another recital at The Meadows.  Many people complimented our students on how they are improving and doing such a great job!

In May we will have our Spring Recital on the 21st at Camden Springs.  Our theme for this recital is  

​J​

azz, Blues and Ragtime.  It will be great!

Besides

​ teaching​

my private students, I taught Music and Movement Classes at Jessie Baker School in Elk Grove.  The students at Jessie Baker range in age from 5 - 21 years old and have special needs.  They love music and treat me like a rock star!  In April, we had our Spring Fling.  Each class chose a popular song.  Then we put together dances and costumes to these songs which they performed for the entire school plus friends and family!

In June, I will be the guest at an annual banquet where I will be leading and teaching 

​

songs and activities with Boomwhackers! Our students love Boomwhackers and I am excited to share these instruments with adults too!  We will be doing songs but also rhythm activities that I plan on sharing with our students over the summer.

This summer, our students will continue to learn music theory with hands on games.  We will continue to work on composing and improvising.  We will also be focusing on rhythm cups and boomwhackers.

As a teacher, I will continue to look for new and exciting music teaching ideas, games and songs.  I have several books that I plan on reading, including Intelligent Music Teaching. And I will continue to read and interact with other music teachers through blogs and other media. I have also been expanding my instrument collection to include autoharp, violin, ukulele and pennywhistle in addition to my piano, guitar and singing!

Thank you for being a part of our music family!  I love making music together! 

Sincerely,

Ms. Tonya

Spring Calendar 2016

Saturday, February 20, 2 pm:  Performance at Windsor Elk Grove Care and Rehabilitation Center,

9461 Batey Ave., Elk Grove, 95624

Saturday, April 9, 2 pm: Performance at The Meadows Assisted Living,

9325 East Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove, 95624

Spring Break – No Lessons- March 20 - 26

Spring Recital, Saturday, May 21, 2 pm:  Performance at Camden Springs Retirement Home, 8476 Sheldon Rd. Elk Grove, 95624

New Group Classes! Plus Fall 2015 Calendar!

Fall Calendar 2015

Strings, Keys and Melodies

New Group Classes!

Dancing Like a Star – Explore dancing and moving to the music in order to become better musicians. 1 hr/wk $70/month

Choose between Tuesdays 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm OR Thursdays 4 pm – 5 pm

Sweet Melodies Choir – Learn proper singing and perform with a group.  Our choir will prepare special songs to sing at recitals and other settings! 1 hr/wk $70/month

Thursdays 5 pm – 6 pm

Recitals - Save these dates!

October 24, 2 pm at The Meadows Assisted Living, 9325 East Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove, 95624

December 12, 2 pm at Camden Springs, 8476 Sheldon Rd. Elk Grove, 95624

Holidays

Labor Day, September 7 – Monday students will be rescheduled during the week.

Thanksgiving – November 26, 27 – All Thursday and Friday students will be rescheduled.  Lessons will be held as scheduled Monday – Wednesday.

Winter Break – December 19 – January 3.  Lessons will resume January 4.

FAQ About the Extra Special Summer Classes and Why Our Students Should Be a Part of It All!

This Summer, we will be holding some pretty special Summer Classes that all of our students should attend!

During our regular half hour lessons, we learn to play music games, do ear training, practice rhythms, go over musical symbols, learn new scales and arpeggios, review old songs, learn new songs, compose.....We cover so much!  

But to help everyone really grasp these important concepts, we are going to spend time this summer practicing music theory concepts, rhythms and beats, and composing in fun, exciting ways.  And the best part...We are going to do it together with our friends!

FAQ # 1  Will there still be regular music lessons?

Yes!  Rachel and I will still be teaching our regular lessons throughout the summer.  These classes are in addition to our regular lessons.

#2 What will the classes cover?

In June, we will be teaching the class Mind Craft, which will focus on playing music theory, ear training, note reading and rhythm games to help us really remember all of those important concepts.  Everyone could use practice reading notes!

In July, we will be Dancing with the Stars!  This class will focus on exploring music with our whole bodies as we do choreographed dances to current pop songs as well as a few classical pieces.  We will learn a new dance routine at each class.  This will help our students grasp rhythm and beat which is extremely important for musicians!!

In August, we will be Musical Ninja Warriors as we train ourselves to compose and create original songs and lyrics.  Every creative musician needs to explore creating new sounds and combinations of tones and rhythms.  

#3 When will these classes be held?

Every Wednesday morning from 10 am to 12 pm in June, July and August.

#4 What is the tuition?

Well, the more classes that you sign up for the more you save!

1 session is $80 per student

Choose any 2 sessions and it is $155 per student

Choose all 3 sessions and the tuition is $230 per student.

Remember this is for 2 hours of musical instruction every week!

#5 Can we invite our friends and family?

Yes, definitely!  These classes are intended for students up to about 12 years old. No prior musical experience necessary.  Please tell your friends and family about these classes!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Ms. Tonya

This Summer Enhance Music Skills with Special Group Classes!

This Summer Enhance Music Skills with Special Group Classes!

Wednesday mornings 10 am -1 2 pm

Session 1  June 3, 10, 17, 24 : 

Mind Craft  - Play music and music theory based games to craft minds into those of true musicians!

Session 2  July 8, 15, 22, 29: 

Dancing with the Stars!!!  - Music and dance go hand in hand.  We will join the 2 together as we explore rhythm and beat with our whole bodies.  The goal is to learn a new song and dance each week!

Session 3  August 5, 12, 19, 26:

 Musical Ninja Warriors – Train your self to be a composing ninja!  We will break all boundaries by composing and creating original songs and lyrics

Choose any 1 session - $80 per student

Choose any 2 sessions - $155 per student

Choose all 3 sessions - $230 per student

All classes:  minimum 4 students, maximum 10 students!

Sign up now to hold your spot in the classes of your choice!!

Contact: Ms. Tonya (916) 812-2875 www.stringskeysandmelodies@gmail.com

2015 Spring Calendar

Spring 2015 Calendar

Strings, Keys, and Melodies

 

Saturday, February 14, 10:30 am:  Performance at Windsor Elk Grove Care and Rehabilitation Center,

9461 Batey Ave., Elk Grove, 95624

 

Saturday, March 28, 2 pm: Performance at The Meadows Assisted Living,

9325 East Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove, 95624

 

Spring Break – No Lessons- March 30 – April 3

 

Spring Recital, Saturday, May 16, 2 pm:  Performance at Camden Springs Retirement Home, 8476 Sheldon Rd. Elk Grove, 95624

 

 

 

TBA Party for Mission Music Winners

Cookies and Coffee Night

Cookies and Coffee Night

Do you ever ask yourself:

·        How do I get my child to practice?

·        How do other parents get their children to practice?

·        How many days/minutes should he practice? What should he practice?

·        What if my child wants to quit?

·        Can I cheer for my child at practice or at recitals like I cheer for her at their soccer games?

Here is your chance to meet other parents who believe in the importance of music in their children’s lives!

Find answers to these questions and everything you need to know about the World Music Theme and Incentive Game for the new year.

Eat cookies and drink coffee!

*Parents only – preferred. 

Choose a date and RSVP to Ms. Tonya:

Monday, September 29, 7:30 pm

Or

Wednesday, October 1, 7:30 pm

Events Calendar for Fall 2014

Strings, Keys and Melodies Calendar

Fall 2014

Labor Day, Monday September 1 – Monday Students – we will be available to teach on this day but please let us know if you need to reschedule

September:  Start World Music theme for the new school year and Mission: Music, a fun activity driven incentive game for the entire year.  Everyone will get their own map and track their way around the continents!

Saturday October 25 – 2 pm Retirement Home Program at Camden Springs, 8471 Sheldon Rd., EG 95624

Thanksgiving November 27 & 28 – Thursday and Friday lessons will be rescheduled.  The rest of the week will have lessons as usual.

Saturday, December 6 – 2 pm – Winter Recital at The Meadows, 9325 East Stockton Blvd., EG 95624

December 22 – January 2 – Winter Break – no lessons

January 5 – Regular lessons resume

Policy Reminders:

Tuition is due the first lesson of the month.

Make up lessons – please call in advance if you can’t make it to your lesson.  If you do not call then we are sitting here waiting for you!  If you call ahead, we will do our best to set up a make up time for you.

Questions?  Please contact Ms. Tonya 

or Miss Rachel

Spring 2014 Calendar

Spring 2014 Calendar

Strings, Keys, and Melodies

Saturday, February 15, 2 pm:  Performance at Windsor Elk Grove Care and Rehabilitation Center,

9461 Batey Ave., Elk Grove, 95624

Saturday, March 29, 2 pm: Performance at The Meadows Assisted Living,

9325 East Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove, 95624

Spring Break – No Lessons- April 14 – 18

Spring Recital, Saturday, May 10, 3:30 pm:  Recital at The Valley Hi – North Laguna Library,

7400 Imagination Pkwy, Sacramento, 95823