Kaleigh Reed
The piano student for the month of February is 7 year old Kaleigh Reed. Kaleigh is in the 2nd grade at Ella Canavan Elementary
and started piano lessons in October, 2011. In that short time
Kaleigh has progressed rapidly and is already playing melody/counter-melody pieces that are written for students who have been studying at
the very least 9 to 10 months. Because of her hard work both
at home and during her lesson time she is very deserving of Student
of the Month.
Brooke Loftis
Brooke approaches each week with excitement and a willingness to work
hard, both in lessons and during her practice at home. She has progressed
quickly and is now beginning to step into the world of fiddle music after only
playing the violin for a short time. Her enthusiasm and upbeat approach makes
her a pleasure to work with, and a blossoming player. I look forward to seeing
where her talents will take her!
Meghan
Burkhardt
Meghan has been studying
with me since the August of 2011. She is
thirteen years old and is a 7th grader at A.I. Root Middle
School. She started in 5th grade
band, took a year off and returned to band this school year. Meghan participated in the annual Woodsy’s
student recital and is looking forward to going to Solo and Ensemble
contest. She is a hard worker and makes
time to practice in addition to participating in the jazz ensemble and concert
band at school. She looks forward to
playing in the MHS marching band in two years.
Jurni Harmon
Jurni is a freshman at Cloverleaf High School. She has being
taking lessons since September of 2010. She is being recognized for her
outstanding attitude and dedication that she puts forth in making herself a
better trumpet player. She comes to her lesson eager to make the best out of
every lesson. This has helped her in receiving consecutive “superior”
ratings (the highest rating) at OMEA Solo & Ensemble Contest for the past
two years. She was also chosen to play the trumpet solo during Cloverleaf’s
competitive marching band show. She is currently working on Sigmund
Herring Technical Studies, the Clark Studies, and the Hornpipe duet.
Jack Kula
Jack's story is a common one and one that I experienced first-hand as a
beginner 14 years ago. He came to me with the intent of being a lead
guitarist. Many of the students who have that desire can be quite averse
to practicing chords and strumming patterns. Try as I might, it is
difficult to impress upon these students the importance of developing really
solid rhythm guitar skills. Most of the fundamental techniques required
to play great lead guitar are developed significantly through a thorough
understanding and ability with the basics of rhythm guitar playing. Not
only that, but lead guitarists only fulfill their role a small portion of the
time they are performing. The rest of the time, they themselves are
rhythm guitarists.
Once a student has developed some comfort with a certain aspect of their
playing, they want to practice what they are already good at and it becomes
even more difficult for them to develop the weaker aspects of their
playing. Jack seems to have had an epiphany recently. He has shown
a lot of interest in addressing the short comings in his playing. This is
an incredibly difficult thing to do, but is a common trait of great
guitarists. Not only has Jack been able to make progress on his rhythm
guitar playing, but he has also shown an admirable interest in the theory
homework that so few students are willing to take on. Jack has displayed
a passion for the instrument and the guitar culture since the moment he started
taking lessons with me. Now that I am recognizing his willingness to
become a well rounded player, I am incredibly optimistic about the growth he
will experience in the future and about what creative accomplishments he seems
destined to have.
Corbin Cerny
As this is the first
Student of the Month, I'd like to say that this program is not a competition,
but rather a chance to acknowledge a student who has gone above and beyond to
further their own personal
progress.
February’s percussion
Student of the Month is Corbin Cerny. Corbin never backs down from a challenge.
Corbin chose a Class A (advanced- difficult) snare drum solo to play at this
year’s Solo and Ensemble contest. The hours and effort Corbin put in to get his
solo and rudiments ready were many. No matter what rating Corbin gets from the
judge at the contest, Corbin gets a Superior rating from me, for the effort and
perseverance it took to get his technique to a point where he could play his
solo with confidence, and musicality. Corbin Cerny is a freshman at Medina High
School.
Roy King,
Percussion Instructor
Madison
Marple
My choice for student of the month this February is Madison
Marple. Madison consistently puts forth good effort and focus both in
lesson and on her weekly assignments. She is always prepared and has near
perfect attendance. Taking lessons since only July she is already applying her
studies to performance. She earned the opening spot in her school's
talent show in her first audition, choosing to play the Star Spangled Banner on
the acoustic guitar. I'm very proud of Madison's growth and know she will
continue to do great things with her talent.
