January 31, 2026: Saturday Remix
Teachers and Staff: Happy Saturday!
Musical Ladder - Reminder about the Certificates & Wristbands
When students complete a Musical Ladder level, they will receive a certificate and a wristband. These will be delivered to your teacher box at a subsequent lesson. Soon, we will also start implementing the trophies, which come at some but not all levels.
Remember, each level on the musical ladder represents a duration of time that a student has been taking lessons with us. The first level (Apprentice) happens at 3 months.
Attached is a document which shows the duration that corresponds to each level. For example, Apprentice = 3 months, Songbird = 6 months, Rock Star = 12 months, etc. This flyer is also posted in lesson rooms, and is in the Teacher Resources binders and Google folder. Have fun communicating the levels with your students!
When you receive the certificates and wristbands (and sometimes, trophies) for your students, be sure to hand them out in their lesson, CONGRATULATE THEM, and HAVE FUN!
Music Stands in Lesson Rooms
There are music stands already assembled in some of the larger lesson rooms. All of the smaller lesson rooms have unassembled music stands, usually in a bag stored in the room. Please feel free to assemble and use these music stands in a lesson if you need to. Of course, please disassemble and put away where you got it when done.
Test Your New Keys
If you receive new keys, please test them all in the doors right away to ensure they are working properly before you leave.
Avoid Stickers on the Piano Keys
Please avoid placing stickers on the piano keys. Use the Presto’s Piano Keyboard Assistant and the various worksheets available in the books and lesson rooms to help students learn and memorize the piano keyboard. (Using stickers actually slows down the learning/memorizing process, often dramatically and sometimes even traumatically, and also can leave a mess.)
Pop Quiz - Do You Know These Things?
Teachers are not expected to be able to answer every question about our school. But, teachers should know the basics – especially the answers to questions that directly relate to and impact your students’ lessons, or your work and navigation at the studio.
Here’s a quiz. Can you answer all of these questions? If not, please take the time to find/learn the answers (there are flyers and other resources available, the website, other teachers and staff, and you can walk around and look), or send us an email and ask!
When are Forums? What room is Forum in?
How can a student earn 1 prize ticket? 2 prize tickets? 3 prize tickets?
How can a student become the Student of the Month?
What is the Musical Ladder level for 2 years?
Do we offer online lessons? What room is the online lesson setup in?
How many lesson rooms do we have? BONUS: Can you name them all?
Which lesson rooms have acoustic pianos?
Do we offer 30-minute lessons? Please explain.
What are the 4 regular newsletter-type communications we send each week or month? Which ones do parents receive?
Where can I find archived/online versions of the weekly and monthly newsletters?
What are the dates of our upcoming recital opportunities from March through May, 2026?
If a parent has a question that you cannot answer, what should they do? Who should they call (what’s the number)? Who should they email (what’s the email address)?
If you couldn't answer any, go on a hunt and find them! (Or ask us!)
Q: What should I tell a student if they ask when Musical Ladder trophies are coming?
A: Soon! If they are very eager and enthusiastic and chomping at the bit, say, in a fun way, “Be patient! They are coming really soon! I can’t wait, too! I will let you know as soon as I know for sure!”
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Thank you, everyone, for all that you do!
Have a magical Saturday, a musical weekend, and a safe and healthy coming week.
Thank you,
Dennis Frayne
"Dr. Dennis"
Laguna Niguel School of Music
Dennis Frayne Music Studios
30110 Crown Valley Pkwy, Suites 105/107/108
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 844-9051 (office cell)
(949) 468-8040 (personal cell)
www.lagunaniguelschoolofmusic.com
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