Mastery Program
The Mastery program is an elite program for the most dedicated students whose goal is to reach piano mastery. Piano Mastery graduates will have the skills to go on to major conservatories and performance and teaching careers.
The Mastery program is available to students who:
- have passed all 9 Habits evaluations successfully
- are committed to following the ‘Practice Hours to Mastery’ chart below
- exhibit a strong work ethic and are able to follow direct practice and assignment instructions
- have a great degree of parental support and commitment shown by following the Parent Commitment Requirements below
Students are selected for the Mastery Program on a case by case basis. Students are evaluated on a continuing basis as to their fit in the Mastery program. Other PPA programs will be suggested to the student if the above requirements aren’t continuously met, or their musical goals change.
Students in the Mastery program participate regularly in recitals, competitions and masterclasses.
REQUIRED PARENTAL COMMITMENT
Parents are required to attend lessons according to the schedule below. At the lesson the parent is required to keep notes and pay attention so that they can supervise the child’s practice at home correctly.
Grades K-1 – Parent attends every lesson and practices with the child every day for the entire practice session.
Grade 2 – Parent attends 3 of every 4 lessons. Parent practices for the entire session with the child on practice days 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Grade 3 – Parent attends every other lesson. Parent practices for the entire session with the child on practice days 1, 3 and 5.
Grade 4 – Parent attends 1 of every 4 lessons. Parent practices for the entire session with the child on day 3.
Grades 5 and higher – Parent does not attend any lessons or sit with the child during practice. The parent may offer ‘kitchen’ comments if they are supportive and useful and the student is asking for help.
At this point the student should be an independent learner and responsible and committed to their own music learning experience. To promote this independence students should be dropped off and walk to the studio door by themselves. Questions about the assignment or performance opportunities should come from the student.
The parent can support the student at this point by providing a supportive environment at home which includes sufficient practice time, a quality instrument and words of encouragement.
REQUIRED PRACTICE HOUR COMMITMENT
Follow this practice chart and you will achieve mastery by the time you graduate from high school. It is assumed that students practice 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year.
If you practice more than the daily amounts listed or more than 5 days per week you will achieve mastery sooner.
The following practice hours are required of students in the Mastery program.
Kindergarten 45 minutes
1st 1 hour
2nd 1 hour 15 minutes
3rd 1 hour 30 minutes
4th 2 hours
5th 2 hours 30 minutes
6th 3 hours
7th 3 hours 30 minutes
8th 4 hours
9th 4 hours 30 minutes
10th-12th 5 hours