Codington Music Studio, Piano Lessons in Roanoke, Virginia

Summer Lessons

  Monday, May 13, 2024 by Jaina Codington | General Announcements

IMPORTANT MEMO REGARDING YOUR SUMMER LESSONS:

Dear Piano Parents,

Each Spring I often get asked these questions:

Q. “How do lessons work in the summer?”

A. The studio is open year round (except August for this year) and we do not close during the summer.

 

Q. “Do a lot of students quit during the summer?”

A. For the past 4 years, I have enrolled new students every May/June. Some students withdraw but I still get an influx of students in June as many parents want something fun to do for their child over the summer. Many continue into the Fall. I expect this summer to be busy!

 

Q. “How full is the studio?”

A. As of today, I am over 80% capacity. The most popular times, being 3:30-6:30pm, always go fast.

 

Q. “If we withdraw for the summer, can we keep our spot for the Fall?”

A. I will open the spot for new students. Lessons are first come first serve, so if you withdraw for the summer, I cannot guarantee I will have a spot for you in the Fall.

 

There are 4 ways to guarantee a spot for you in the Fall if you cannot attend regular weekly lessons:

1. Take advantage of summer makeup lessons and you can make them up at any time.

I realize that some of you will go on vacation for a portion of the summer. By signing up for the summer makeups, you can make up all of your lessons and keep your spot for the Fall. Your makeup credits NEVER expire! Contact me for upcoming group make up classes. If you don’t know the dates yet, you can reach out anytime during the summer. GET A HEAD START! You can start making up lessons for the summer in advance starting in MAY! Or if you prefer, you can make them up at a later date that suits you. There is no rush, no maximum, and your credits never expire!

2. Sub lease your spot to a family member or friend.

You can send a family member or friend in your place for the dates you will miss. Just let me know who is coming in your place and when. Make sure that they reimburse you directly for the lessons.

 

3. Zoom lessons for absences.

If you are out of town, but can make it to a computer or mobile device with Zoom, you can still have your lesson at your regular day and time. This is a great and popular option! Don’t lose your spot to another student!

 

4. Pre-recorded Lessons.

If you aren’t sure you can attend at your regular time, but group makeup classes don’t sound like the best fit for you or your child, you can also request pre-recorded lessons from me! I will record your lesson each week and sent it to you. You can save the videos to access at your convenience and the best part is you can keep the video forever and continue to reference it in the future. This is a HUGE help when reviewing for the Theory tests!

 

If you LOVE taking piano, keep your spot by using the summer make ups, sub lease your spot, or take your lesson conveniently online wherever YOU are via Zoom or pre-recorded lessons! Four GREAT options! 

 

If you have any questions, please call or email me:

540-580-1713 | codingtonmusicstudio@gmail.com | Codington Music Studio

May Newsletter 2024

Wednesday, May 1, 2024 by Jaina Codington | Monthly Newsletter

Happy May!

Summer Piano Lessons/Summer Piano Camps

May is here, and with that comes the winding down of our spring semester!

We have 3 weeks left before our 2 week break, and then summer lessons begin. 

I will be sending out a sign up sheet for summer lessons and summer camps this week. If you will be travelling for extended amounts of time, please let me know so that we can quickly schedule in the 6 lessons that are required for the summer.

Upcoming Changes

I'm excited to announce a new change in the studio that I think everyone will love... 

1. Group makeup lessons will now be available this coming Fall! The format will be group lessons only, no private makeups, as this is not possible due to scheduling. They will take place either on Fridays or Saturdays throughout the year. There will be a sign up sheet sent out in May where you can sign up for group lessons when you know your child will be absent. Each month I will resend out the list for everyone to sign up for the unexpected absences that occurred, like getting sick or having a rescheduled sports game.

2. The studio name is changing to Roanoke School of Music! 

The goal is to one day offer other instruments besides piano and slowly expand.

Group Piano Lessons

Beginning in September, we will be moving to a group model, where students ages 5-11 will be placed in appropriately levelled small classes. Students will work together, learn together and play together. By being together in a collaborative setting, they will be engaged, motivated and inspired by others. Private lessons will still be continued for adults and students ages 12 and older.

My aim is to carefully balance individual progress with group interaction. Through lots of research, I have found a program that supports both individual progress and group learning, through the use of challenge levels and clear learning objectives, with steps to success. Within the structure of each lesson, students will play together as an ensemble and also work individually, with direct instruction from their teacher.

I truly believe that this new way will provide the best opportunities for our students!

With games, listening, composition, improvisation and of course lots of songs, all learning will be more firmly embedded in a fun and musical way. These new programs have been designed to be age-and stage-appropriate and are topic-based, making the classes cohesive and relevant.

I have put together an information brochure that explains all of the courses I will be offering and many more specifics. I will email this out next week.

*There will be an opportunity to sign up for a month-long paid trial in July if you're unsure about group lessons. The length of ALL group lessons will be 45 minutes and the pricing will be $115 per month. Not only are the lessons lengthening in time, but the cost is decreasing, giving your child even more of an opportunity for musical growth!

Here is the link to the website that the curriculum comes from: 

https://www.keynotes-music.com/parents-home

Please click on it for more info! 

I am so excited for this new venture in the studio, and I hope you and your child will be too. Music is a social activity, and your child will get such joy from making music with others. The feedback I have received from the previous group lessons I have offered has been very encouraging and students love them. If you have any concerns or questions, please do reach out!

Upcoming Events

May 24

Last day of lessons for spring semester

June 10

Summer lessons/summer camps begin

August 2

Last day of summer lessons

April Newsletter 2024

Monday, April 1, 2024 by Jaina Codington | Monthly Newsletter

Happy April, Piano Parents!

I have loved getting to hear about everyone's travel adventures over their Spring Break! Makes me want to travel! We had students in Ireland, Canada and Tennessee! All over the world!

I'm happy to be back in the swing of things. I missed teaching! We've been hard at work on those recital pieces and I introduced a fun new game to the studio: Fishing Notes. The kids have loved it! There are three different levels of difficulty and it is used to work on note recognition. Whoever gets the most fish at the end, wins! Below is a photo of DJ R. trying his hand at fishing. :) It's more difficult than you would think! It's magnetic.

 

ANNUAL SPRING RECITAL

This upcoming month we have our Spring Recital, Jazz Night, on Friday, April 26th at 6:30pm. It will take place at St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church. Come and enjoy an evening of live music and yummy food!

PIANO SUMMER CAMPS 

April 15th is the early bird deadline for a discount on summer camps! Sign up today through the website under the tab Piano Summer Camps. There will be a circus themed camp and an escape room camp-both very exciting! I have lots planned for them!!

SUMMER LESSONS

ALL students are required to take summer lessons in order to continue in the new school year. If you travel for an extended amount of time, makeups can be made in advance or later on. Online lessons and video lessons are also an option. Lessons will take place in June and July. 

Options: 6 – 45 minute lessons or 6 – 30 minute lessons in total for the summer, depending on your choice of lesson length. Summer lessons will begin the week of June 10th. Sign-ups will be sent out in May!

GROUP LESSONS

This is copied from the email I sent out to everyone a month ago:

"Beginning in September, we will be moving to a group model, where students ages 5-11 will be placed in appropriately levelled small classes. Students will work together, learn together and play together. By being together in a collaborative setting, they will be engaged, motivated and inspired by others. Private lessons will still be continued for adults and students ages 12 and older.

My aim is to carefully balance individual progress with group interaction. Through lots of research, I have found a program that supports both individual progress and group learning, through the use of challenge levels and clear learning objectives, with steps to success. Within the structure of each lesson, students will play together as an ensemble and also work individually, with direct instruction from their teacher.

I truly believe that this new way will provide the best opportunities for our students.

With games, listening, composition, improvisation and of course lots of songs, all learning will be more firmly embedded in a fun and musical way. These new programs have been designed to be age-and stage-appropriate and are topic-based, making the classes cohesive and relevant.

I have put together an information brochure that explains all of the courses I will be offering and many more specifics. I will hand this out next week.

*There will be an opportunity to sign up for a month-long paid trial in July. The length of ALL group lessons will be 45 minutes and the pricing will be $115 per month. Not only are the lessons lengthening in time, but the cost is decreasing, giving your child even more of an opportunity for musical growth!

Here is the link to the website that the curriculum comes from: 

https://www.keynotes-music.com/parents-home

Please click on it for more info! 

I am so excited for this new venture in the studio, and I hope you and your child will be too. Music is a social activity, and your child will get such joy from making music with others. The feedback I have received from the previous group lessons I have offered has been very encouraging and students love them. If you have any concerns or questions, please do reach out!"

NFMC SPRING FESTIVAL

The Spring Festival took place on March 9th and was an absolute success! 10 students participated and every single one either got a Superior or Excellent designation. I am SO proud of this studio and everyone's hard work, parents included! Couldn't do it without y'all!

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 6th

Optional Makeup Lesson (Group)

April 12th

Optional Makeup Lesson (Group)

April 15th

Early bird discount for summer camp ends

April 26th

Spring Recital 

6:30pm

Follow Codington Music Studio on Facebook to stay updated! https://www.facebook.com/codingtonstudio/

Refer a friend! One free month of lessons!

Thursday, March 7, 2024 by Jaina Codington | Certificates