About this blog

Do you know of a responsible and needy family who would be interested in piano-sitting? I have an ex-student who is headed east to earn a post-graduate degree and would like to find a happy home for her little upright piano while she is gone (two years) rather than put it in a storage locker… If you know of anyone who might be interested, please let me know and I can forward the request.

Thank you!

…that you can double click the events posted on the Peery Piano Academy calendar to find out more information? Information such as websites, phone numbers, etc are entered in the description box. Additionally, if you are interested in knowing who is teaching for a posted vacancy, you can find out by double clicking =). Try it out!

To assist you with your planning the schedule for fall enrollment is listed below.

Fall Registration is open to:

Summer quarter students – first week of august
Returning students – 2nd week of august
New students – 3rd week of august

Because there are no showcase and share classes during summer quarter we handle pass offs in a slightly different way.

Summer quarter students = 3 free pass offs

Summer pass off pre-payment plan:  Pass-offs during the summer can be purchased at the prices listed below.  These can be purchased by summer quarter students and 9 month term students.

ADDITIONAL PASS OFFS for Summer quarter students AND pricing for 9 MONTH TERM STUDENTS

1 pass off = $30
3 pass off package = $60
5 pass off package = $75

- Pass offs are non-transferrable but can be shared within one family
- Pass offs segments are 15 minutes in length. If you have material that covers more than 15 minutes you can schedule two or more pass offs back to back or schedule additional pass offs as needed.
- There are no refunds for unused pass offs and pass off packages expire on August 31, 2009
- Scheduled time with Mrs Skousen at the 3 and 5 pass off rate are for PASS OFFS ONLY.  Consultations or teaching sessions can be scheduled at Mrs Skousen’s regular private rate of $120/hour.
- For students enrolled in the summer, pass off readiness must be approved by weekly teacher before a pass off is scheduled or the student will be billed at Mrs Skousen’s private rate.
- For students who are not taking summer classes, students must must come with a practice chart to show that they have done their regular weekly practice on the pass off item and additionally show they have watched the corresponding video (if applicable) 2x per day (1x to watch and 1x to play with the video) for the past 5 days.

How to schedule time with Mrs Skousen

We occasionally receive inquiries from parent’s wondering if their child is too young to begin the Peery Habits program.  Peery Piano Academy accepts enrollment for children beginning at the age of 5 years old.  Maturity levels vary between children so here are a few things for you to consider when determining if you child is ready to start the program. 

- Younger children require more practice partner participation. A 5 year old will require constant presence.  The biggest factor to consider is whether or not the practice partner (usually a parent) is willing to commit the time to sit and practice with your child every day. 

- Another thing to consider is whether your child has the necessary attention span.  If your child can sit on the bench for 15 minutes without wiggling around and losing interest then they are probably ready to start the program.

It is important to remember that younger children will progress through the program more slowly than older children.  It will take the average 5 year old about 2 years to complete all three levels of the Habits program. The advantages of starting younger is that the child’s muscles learn habits more solidly because they are formed at a younger age.  This is a huge advantage to playing and hearing more musically.

HOW TO HANDLE AN ABSENCE

1)  Email Missi at info@peerymusic.com to let her know what date and time you will be absent (The earlier we receive notification the more efficient the system works)

2)  If you inform Missi 24 hours before your absence you have 30 days to choose an open spot from the Peery calendar for a class swap.

3)  When you find a spot that works for you email Missi and let her know what open spot you are taking.

Open spots are marked either:

  - with a student’s name labeled out that DOES NOT have a corresponding student’s name labeled in – these spots can be scheduled at anytime.

  - as OPEN (these spots are available during summer quarter only) – can be scheduled up to 48 hours in advance.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK FOR THE SPOTS AND FIND ONE THAT WORKS FOR YOU.  ALL OF THIS INFORMATION IS ONLINE!

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL MISSI ASKING WHAT TIMES ARE AVAILABLE – SHE WILL ONLY REDIRECT YOU TO THE CALENDAR.

Thanks for your cooperation in this.

You all know your teachers, but there is also a team of people working behind the scenes waiting to help make sure your experience at PPA is a great one.  Let’s get to know them and how they are able to help you.

Thomas Skousen – Director

You can contact Thomas with questions regarding any of the Peery programs, how our Academy runs, practice tips, consultations (how to get the most out of your Peery experience), and comments about teachers and our programs (what you like, dislike or suggestions you have that can make it better).  It is Thomas’s goal to make sure your experience here is a good one.  He loves talking to parents and students alike.  

You can contact Thomas via email – tskousen@peerymusic.com, or phone – 650-919-3599

Hours:  Feel free to contact Thomas at any time

Missi Bryant – Admin

Missi keeps all of the gears running and in place here at PPA.  She handles all questions about scheduling, class availability, lesson swaps (when you are absent), billing, calendaring, blog posts and Peery Certification tracking.  Feel free to ask Missi if you have questions or need info about any of these items.

You can contact Missi via email – info@peerymusic.com, or phone – 650-292-0573

Hours:  Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Amanda Mendes – Classroom Manager

Amanda is onsite during most of the Habits classes during the week.  She is there to help keep the classroom in order.  If you have questions during class that don’t have to do directly with the lesson, feel free to ask Amanda.  If she doesn’t know the answer she will pass your question along to the right person and get you an answer quickly.  Amanda is also there to meet new students and make all students feel welcome and comfortable.  She is charge of the weekly newsletter and student spotlights.  If you have something you would like included in the newsletter, please email Amanda.  She would love to include any information that would benefit the PPA community and that highlight our students within or outside of the field of music.

You can contact Amanda onsite – Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 4:30-6:30

Christie Skousen – Master Teacher

Christie is in charge of the curriculum and teachers at PPA.  She teaches the Plans B and C of Habits, Players Levels 7 and higher and the Mastery program.  She is available to all PPA students for private sessions, video responses and email consultations.  Contact Missi at info@peerymusic.com for scheduling and rate information.

Some of you have suggested that it would be nice to have access to the online video lessons and the main Peery website from the blog page. We have added a link to both in the top right hand column. Please let us know if you have any other suggestions!

Some of you have expressed that it would be helpful to have a schedule of the Showcase/TM weekly classes.  I have added this information to the calendar.  If you click on the bar that says “Showcase/TM week” on the calendar, it will open up to a new window.  In the description section you will see a schedule of all of the classes and what time they start/end.

If you can’t remember which one you are signed up for, email Missi at info@peerymusic.com . 

Lucas, a Level 2 Habits student, recently played for his friends at a birthday party.  His mom shared his experience with us, “at a friend’s birthday party last Saturday Lucas played a few pieces including Chimes and Jack and Jill to an audience of parents and kids – out of his own desire, we were not even there!
When my husband came to pick him up everyone said they very impressed with his technique and asked where he was learning to play so well.

Thank you for you for bringing out this passion for piano in Lucas!”

Anne, a Level 2 Players student, was also motivated after playing for some friends.  At her class she shared her experience with her teacher.  “I played all of my musical pieces for my friends.  They especially loved the Study I was working on.  They asked me to play it again and again so they could all dance.”  Laura who is also in the Players 2 class chimed in, “I played for my friends at a party too.  I got thank you notes from the parents afterwards because they loved my music so much.”

After hearing these experiences a few thoughts come to mind:

 - Playing for friends and those outside of the Academy is really motivating.  Peery students are exceptional!  You are not the normal every day piano student.  You are focused, disciplined and are attentive to details.  You play with a level of detail that is rare and unique. You also have amazing, committed parents.  Sometimes we can forget this in the day to day work of practicing.  It is such a great idea to continually share your music with those outside the Academy to help keep in perspective the tremendous job you are all doing!

 - Peery students are not afraid to share their music.  Because of how the Academy is structured they are always playing for others, and have many ears listening at every lesson.  They have monthly showcase and share classes giving them the experience to play for kids their own age in a performance situation.  They get used to it and are willing and excited to share their music.  This is tremendous and impressive!

Please continue to share your stories of how music in in your life.  It is motivating and inspiring for all of us to hear.  Now go out there an play!