In This Issue

Encourage Recital Participation
Regular recitals motivate students, strengthen community, and let them shine as they share their music with others.

🎹 March Recitals

• Theme Recital: “Songs of Ireland & Latin America” – Friday, March 13 at Chamber Music OC, Lake Forest. Students perform themed pieces from memory and in costume.

• Spring Quarter Studio Recitals: March 28–29 at Laguna Hills Community Center.

More Recital Opportunities

• Destination Recital: Saturday, May 9, at Namba Performing Arts Center, Ventura. A fun full-day experience with performance, activities, and a gift bag!

• Concert Performance Team: Students perform monthly in Orange County venues and may earn community service credits.

Upcoming Off-days

• Tuesday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day

• Friday, March 20 – Nowruz / Persian New Year

❓ Q&A Corner

• Q: Can a student/family attend a recital simply to watch for the first time?

• A: Yes!

👇 See more for details

In This Issue

🎶 Teaching Small Group Lessons

Practical strategies for pacing, engagement, and confidence-building—embracing the power of learning together.

🎤 Encourage Recital Participation

Why regular performance matters—and how recitals help students build a ready-to-play, memorized repertoire.

🌍 Special Theme Recital Opportunity

Songs of Ireland & Latin America—a festive, memory-based performance experience with music, culture, and costumes.

🎹 Upcoming Studio Recitals

Spring Quarter recitals and our exciting Destination Recital—dates, locations, and what students can expect.

📅 Upcoming Off-Days

March closures and early April break—plan ahead with these important studio dates.

❓ Q & A: Teacher Resources

Q: Where are printed instructions and information about technology at the studio?

A: You can find instructions and information about technology at the studio in two locations.

👇See more for details

In This Issue

🎻 Encourage Recital Participation

Please encourage regular recital participation at all levels.

📅 Upcoming Recital Opportunities

Mark your calendars for upcoming recitals:

• Theme Recital – March 13

• Spring Quarter Studio Recitals – March 28–29

• Annual Destination Recital – May 9

📈 Musical Ladder Reminders and Test Ideas

Musical Ladder tests are always designed to support student growth: no student fails, tests are planned with teachers, and all assessments help students meaningfully advance at their own pace.

❓ Q&A Corner

Q: What should I do if a student is absent on the day of their scheduled Musical Ladder test?
A: Conduct the test at their next lesson and record the actual completion date.

👇See more details inside!

In This Issue

• Happy Valentine’s Day💖
A heartfelt message to the teachers and staffs honoring the care, excellence, and love you bring to every lesson.

• Valentine’s Day Schedule Update
Studios are closed Saturday, February 14 only; lessons resume Sunday, February 15 and continue Monday, Presidents’ Day.

• Musical Ladder: Open the Portal by Default
A quick guide to setting the Musical Ladder portal to open automatically in Google Chrome.

• Q&A Corner
Q: Can my student be a “Did You Read Your Newsletter” contest winner?

A: Yes!
Find out how to enter and win!🎉

In This Issue:

Musical Ladder – Review & Reminders (and for New Teachers)

Musical Ladder “Tests”
What the tests are and how they support student progress

Musical Ladder Login & Setup
How to access the system and get started with tests

Q&A Corner
Q: Can I wish my student a Happy Birthday?
A: Yes, definitely!

👇 See more for details

In This Issue:

• Music Ladder Update
  Certificates & wristbands reminder

• Music Stands in Lesson Rooms
  A helpful setup update

• Test Your New Keys

• Avoid Stickers on Piano Keys

• Pop Quiz!
  Do you know these things?
  If not, go on a hunt and find them — or ask us!

• Q&A Corner
  Q:What should I tell a student if they ask when Musical Ladder trophies are coming?
  A:Soon!

👇See more details inside!

In This Issue:

Get Those Musical Ladder Tests Scheduled!
A reminder to schedule and complete Musical Ladder tests with your students—meaningful, encouraging milestones that celebrate progress and keep students motivated. 🎶

Introductory Lessons:
Intro lessons focus on both teaching the student and learning about them, helping ensure the best long-term placement and success.

Q & A:
Q: What should I do if I missed a Musical Ladder test and it should have happened a while ago?
A: Schedule it for the next lesson and complete it right away.

👇 See inside for more details

In This Issue:
📅 Lessons are ON this Monday, January 19
Martin Luther King Jr. Day

💬 Reminder: How to Communicate with the Office
✉️ Please Respond to Office Communications
Your prompt replies help us stay organized and keep everyone informed.

📄 W-2 Forms in Teacher Boxes

❓ Q&A Corner
Q: Where should we update contact information if it changes?
A: Please email the office and update your account on ADP.

👇 Read more inside for full details

In This Issue:

Lesson Books, Sheet Music & Materials
All lesson books, sheet music, and teaching materials are provided by the studio, with a few clear exceptions outlined inside.

Sight-Reading Practice
Each lesson room is equipped with sight-reading music to encourage consistent practice and help assess student progress.

Q & A
Q:Can we download sheet music from free resources?
A: Yes.

👇 See details inside

Welcome Back—Let’s Begin 2026 Together

Lessons are ON starting today (Saturday, January 3, 2026)!
We’re kicking off the year with a Teacher Forum and a Music Playdate in the Park—a joyful start to a new season of teaching, learning, and connection. We hope you enjoyed a restful holiday and feel refreshed and ready to teach.

In This Issue:

• Resolutions & Commitments
  Aligning our goals with what matters most in our teaching

• Talking to Parents About Their Children
  One essential word to consistently communicate—rooted in our studio philosophy

Teacher Q&A

What if a parent asks, “How did my child do in their lesson?”
A respectful, intentional response that supports both the student and the parent.
👇 Discover the approach inside

In This Issue:

🎄 Holiday Schedule
Wishing everyone a joyful and restful holiday season.

• Studio off week: 12/22/25 – 1/2/26

• Lessons resume: Saturday, 1/3/26

• Forum: 1/3 & 1/4

Recital Preparation – Thank You!

Recitals in Spring 2026

Q&A Spotlight
What are the differences between the various studio recital types?
👇 See more inside

Seasons Greetings & Happy Holidays!

Inside This Week:

• Recital Preparation 🎹 – Thank You, Teachers!

• Fun Photos 📸 – Moments from Recent Recitals

• Holiday Vacation & Off-Days ❄️

• Q&A: Musical Ladder Tests 🎼

• …and More! 👇

See inside for details, tips, and joyful highlights!

🎶 In This Issue:

• Schedule Your Students’ Musical Ladder Tests
• Recitals: Student Repertoire Submission Reminder
• Recitals: Teachers Performing
• Holiday Vacation & Off-Days

Q&A: Do students have to perform Christmas or holiday songs at the Winter Recital?
A: No. Students may perform any pieces. Holiday songs are encouraged, but not required.

👇 See more details inside

Inside This Issue:

Recitals

• Student Repertoire — Please Submit

• Teachers Performing

Holiday Schedule

• Holiday Vacation & Off-Days

Q&A Corner

Q: What should I do if my login/password does not work on the lesson room computers?
A: Let us know!

👇 See more details below

Here’s what’s inside this issue:

• Thankful for Each of You—Your Light Makes Our Studio Shine

• Thanksgiving Week Off-Days

• A Few Procedural Reminders
  (Food & drinks, instruments, guests, instruments changes, studio guidelines)

• Pay Attention to Student Birthdays & Holidays

• Q&A: Will someone be at the recitals to help my young beginner student? Yes!
  
  See Inside 👇

In This Issue:

• Providing Recital Repertoire

• Thanksgiving Week Off-Days

• Be Confident to Ask Questions, Seek Help, and Request Gear!

• Music Lessons Start with Relationships

• Q: Do we have an employee discount?
  A: Yes!

Tap to read more👇

Inside This Issue:

• Concert Performance Team (CPT) — Updates and announcements

• Being Thorough in Lesson Books — Tips for planning and tracking progress

• Lessons Are ON for Veterans Day (Tue, 11/11/25) — Reminder: We are open!

• Thanksgiving Week Off-Days — Schedule and reminders

• Providing Recital Repertoire — Guidance for selecting pieces

• What a Wonderful Forum Last Night! — Highlights and takeaways

• Q & A: Does the Studio Have a Facebook Page? Instagram? — Yes! More inside 👇

Teachers and Staff: Happy Monday!

(We had a very busy weekend so our Remix is a little late... But it's here!)

🎶 Inside This Saturday’s Remix Issue:
📚Saturday Remix Archive - New teachers are encouraged to read all Saturday Remixes from the beginning to learn about our school, operations, and teaching philosophies and strategies.

🍁 Fall Off-Days (Tuesday–Sunday)
🎹 Providing Recital Repertoire
🧽 Expo Eraser vs Cleaner
🧺 Keeping Rooms Tidy and Organized
Q & A: What if my student wants to experiment with another instrument? Can I have them bring it from home to their lesson? ✅ Yes!

👇Click to read more

🎶 Musical Ladder Levels – Set Up the Tests Right Away
Get students and parents excited from day one by scheduling their Musical Ladder tests early.

📝 General Notes & Reminders
A few friendly reminders about recitals, awards, and our upcoming fall off-days—don’t miss the details!

🎄 Looking for Christmas or Holiday Music?
Check our resource books, Google folder, or email me for tailored suggestions!

👇 See more inside!

🌟 Here’s What’s Inside

• Upcoming Recitals: Repertoire tips and more

• Reminder: Give tote bags to new students at their first lesson

• Q&A: Where to find the recital calendar

Discover more here! 👇