Widdowson Piano Studio 

Friday, September 30, 2022 by Kate Widdowson | Quarterly Blog Posts

Dear students and families, 

I have been reflecting on the past summer of piano lessons with all of you and am feeling especially proud of all of your hard work! I can tell when each of you practices diligently. I love when you ask thoughtful questions and have those delightful lightbulb moments! I am finding myself feeling deep gratitude for the opportunity to teach each one of you about my favorite part of life. Music is the great unifier in this world, and I'm very blessed to share it with each one of you. 

Over the summer our studio expanded to over 50 students! We shared hours of duet practice, reading notes from the page, practicing fingertip playing, and expressing dynamics like forte and piano. We had even MORE music donated and have heard so many special stories about piano lessons, old teachers, grandparents who play and more! Now our studio also has a singer and two ukulele students! 

I hope you are all so proud of yourselves because I know that learning a new skill and going through some struggle and failure can be hard. When you choose to keep working on something you love, whether you are good or bad at it, means that you choose the worthwhile path. Nothing worth having comes without some good effort! 

Poppy loves each of you and is always happy to see her friends! For my summer-only kiddos, thank you for all your hard work this summer, and I can't wait to see you again next year! To my school-year kiddos, I look forward to our weekly lessons and seeing how you grow throughout the fall and winter. :) 

Until the new year, keep playing! 

- Ms. Widdowson and Poppy ♫

Thursday, June 30, 2022 by Kate Widdowson | Quarterly Blog Posts

Dear Families, 

The studio has grown beautifully over this quarter all thanks to you and your hard-working students! 

Since March the studio has received roughly 100 pieces of donated music and around 50 donated curriculum books! We've increased our 4-student rotation to almost 25 weekly students. Thank you for showing up and practicing, bringing your books, showing optimism, and having an open mind. I could not do this without the dozens of supportive parents and grandparents sacrificing time and resources to provide this important experience to their scholars! We know that music education cannot begin too early. There are so many modalities, philosophies, and schools of thought, but one idea spans them all: music education is an integral part of the childhood experience. It is proven to create more sensitive, thoughtful, and creative children; bolster the mood, and encourage innovative problem-solving; support the development of language and critical thinking- music is the cross-curricular boost that all humans need. Whether piano, cello, guitar, voice, ukulele, or any other instrument, music lessons are beneficial in countless ways to our children! 

Over the past three months, students have branched into the four curriculum books for their level, deepened their sight-reading skills, and honed their ear-training abilities. We have practiced flexible wrists and playing on fingertips, and perfect posture. We've also explored the parts of the grand piano and figured out how it works! Many students have experimented with the foot pedals and watched the hammers and dampeners alter the vibrating strings. We now have students in Kindergarten, First, Second, Third and Fourth grade in our studio! Some of you have even met the lesson buddy before or after you. Poppy has been enjoying the many pets and scritches all her piano friends have shared and loves each one of you! 

Thank you for being a part of the Widdowson Piano Studio this year and helping my dream come alive. I am so blessed to teach and learn from each one of my students. Please enjoy your summer and happy playing! 

-Ms. Widdowson and Poppy ♫