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We've got a lot to talk about

NEW year's resolutions? bring it on, 2022!

1/9/2022

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-Stathia Orwig, NCTM
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We always begin each new year with new goals or resolutions. The past couple of years, we really have just been trying to survive and "keep normal" as much as possible. And, have you counted how many times you  have said, "I'm over it!" in a week? We all are. This pandemic just keeps throwing us curve balls- once we feel like we are reaching some sort of "normal", another wave comes through.  It's nice to be making history, but I think I've had enough. So,  I'm going to make some goals that force me to think further than just a few weeks out. Are you ready? Ha, me too.
  • Get back to blogging. I started blogging (with Meredith) 6 years ago. I've taken a little bit of a break in the last 6 months. I'd like to get back on track to 2 blogs a month. 

  • Get our name out there & build up community relationships. More and more families are beginning to know the "Music SO Simple" name and we couldn't be more excited about this. How about getting into newspapers or d magazine?

  • Keep our two LIVE recitals on schedule. God-willing, we will be able to hold normal, in-person recitals because I think it is so important for our students. 

  • Grow our baby and preschool classes to reach more kiddos with music.

  • Grow our studio space with a couple more music studios and small recital space for monthly performance classes. (Maybe even add in some more colorful pianos? Ha!)

  • This one is a more personal one, but maybe it's on a lot of peoples minds? I need to keep my family a priority and want to work towards a better work/home balance. I've been called a workaholic before, and I truly love what I do, but the past 2 years have thrown me into overdrive. However, as my kids get older, I need to make sure they know they are a priority. 

  • Keep volunteering and helping the music community. I've been DallasMTA president for the past 3 1/2 years. In June, that will come to an end. I'm also chairing my daughter's school auction, which will be done by the end of February. Volunteering gives me a way of giving back and a way of connecting with others. 
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spreading like wild fire...literally

9/26/2021

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Some of you know that my parents have a home in Agia Anna, Evia, Greece (where my father grew up), and we love going every couple of years. All was just amazing.! We enjoyed time with my parents and getting sun, sleep, and beach. But our amazing three-week trip in Greece came to a screeching halt a few days early because of the spreading wild fires.

The fires had been happening most of the week. Up till Wednesday, we were not really affected. But Wednesday late night, we had gone out for drinks with some friends at a nearby bar, and ash was falling from the sky. 

Thursday morning, around 7:15am, Planes were flying non-stop and it woke me up. I got my mom up and we watched for a while, but then we went back to sleep. The air was real cloudy and smoky, but again, the fires were far off. After lunch that day, they had evacuated the "camping" area. My dad and Brian went up to the village and filled the car with gas and got more gas for the boat- all "just in case". We had put passports & money in a ziplock bag and packed up a couple of things, but when my Dad and Brian came back, they had told us that they went to look at the fires and they were nowhere close- 30 minutes plus from the village. No one was worried at all. We packed up and went to the beach to enjoy the evening. It was still smoky out, but the kids enjoyed a night of kayaking and playing with the jellyfish. (they don't sting)
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Our friends had come down and they were going to stay at the beach that evening. So, they ran (drove, really) up to the village to grab their stuff while we changed for dinner. By this time, it's Thursday evening around 10ish, our normal dinner time. They came back and we went out for dinner.

At dinner, the lights in the beach village began to flicker on and off. Right as they brought our food, we lost all power at the beach. We packed up our food (and carafe of wine...still not super worried) and walked back to the house where his parents and my parents were watching the flames  get closer and closer. Their family made the decision to get in the car and drive to Monduthi, a neighboring village through back roads. That was not an option for us. Not only did we not know the back roads, but we didn't want to be stuck on the mountain with the fires. We also had my aunt, uncle, and 3 cousins we needed to factor in.

Around 11:30pm,  the fires came down so fast. We grabbed blankets, towels, masks, and our "go" bags and ran to the beach. My Dad and Brian ran back up to move the car out from under the house to the beach, where everyone had parked their cars. My dad did try to run back to the house again because he had left money there, but Brian pretty much pinned him down and didn't let him go. It was too late. Flames were everywhere,  winds were blowing, it had to be at least 130 degrees, and flames were flying and landing all around us. We huddle together under 2 blankets and just prayed. Explosions were happening all around us. The fires never made it to the beach- if they had, I don't want to think about what would have happened to all of those cars parked. We could not get to the boat because the ocean was super rough. Also, because it wasn't just the 6 of us, it was 12 (!!), there's no way the boat would have held us all. 

I think the fires started to wind down around 4 am....a few times Brian and my dad tried to go check on the house, but they couldn't get very far. By 5ish, my parents went back to the house which was still standing and basically okay inside. It did smell of smoke, but they both collapsed on the sofas. We went up around 6:15am, and tried to sleep a bit as well. At least we were out of the ash and winds. We had no power, no water.

Fast forward to about Friday 1pm- my parents left while we slept to check things out. There was a police officer in the village that said roads were open to Halkida (the capital of the island) and Athens if we left asap. My grandparents home was still standing, but about a 1/3 of the village was wiped out. We collectively decided to pack our things and get in the cars and try to head out.
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7 of us in a Toyota Rav4, and 5 in a little Ford. Many roads were closed and it took us about 7 hours to get to Athens- through traffic, back roads, and even a ferry.  Once we got close to my cousins home in Athens, they were in one car to their house, and we went on to the airport.

Friday 9:30pm: We got out COVID tests done, and somehow persuaded both of my parents to leave with us. My siblings got us 6 tickets to leave Saturday morning.

Friday 11:30pm: We got hotel rooms to take a shower and lay down for a bit.

Saturday 6am: we headed back to the airport and got on a plane.

The Pandemic has taught us so many things about what is important to us. This situation has taken it a step further for me. I am grateful for every single day we have on this earth. You never know when it will be your last. I'm also trying to make more time for the important things in my life- my husband, my kids, my family. We also could not have gotten through this without the amazing support we had in Dallas helping us through this- getting us flights back home, looking at road closures, and literally just being supportive and praying. My cell phone became our life line to getting out. Something was pulling me to be in Greece this summer. I needed to get away and unwind with my family. But, I think the real reason was one so much bigger than I will ever understand. 
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all about our new blue piano

5/13/2021

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-Stathia Orwig
Here's my crazy story on my blue piano. 

One night, I was scrolling through Instagram and came across a Steinway & Sons post about a special Boston upright that was designed my Alicia Keys. I was stunned and all googlie eyes at this piano!! It was simply stunning. Well, it was simply stunning. I found myself thinking about it for a while- like a year. When you think about things for that long...well, maybe you need to do something about it?
So, keep in mind, we are in the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. But, things are going really well at the studio. By February, a lot of our students are moving away from virtual lessons and starting to come back into the studio. But we were starting to be out of room. The smartest thing for me to do is to add another piano room. The only place we really had room to use was my office, and I was not really excited about that. In the past, I had taught where I worked and I would look over at my pile on my desk and think about the work I needed to do while I was teaching. I liked the separation of leaving my office to go into another space to teach. I wasn't sure how I was going to make this work, but knew I would be willing to if it was a cool piano.

So, I thought, maybe a Steinway upright? This would be all mine. How cool would that be? But, as beautiful as those were, I couldn't get the Alicia Keys piano out of my mind. I think I wanted something with a little more pop!

After talking with the guys at Steinway Hall- Dallas, they had a guy who painted pianos for them. He's not just a normal painter, like he really knew what he was doing to paint a piano. So, I got to work on picking out colors and putting things in motion.

​Once I got swatches, I took them to my office to check out the color scheme:
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So, I anticipated having this piano by the beginning of April. We began moving things around at the studio. Ms. Gayle needed to have a space to work at in the front of the studio rather than in my office where I would be teaching. 
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The feeling of seeing the Steinway delivery truck in the parking lot was so amazing!!
It seems absolutely crazy that I am this excited about a blue piano. But, we have learned a lot from this pandemic. We appreciate the little things. This piano is so fun to play and it puts off such a fun energy with my students. They absolutely LOVE playing it!! Their faces light up! I'm so thrilled with this new addition and very grateful for being able to buy a blue piano. I'm in love and I'm beyond blessed!
for a little more on the colors and the "pop", check out the video below. I didn't have much of a voice when I filmed this, but I was so excited!!
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EAR Explorations #014

4/2/2021

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We are wanting to encourage our students to listen to different and important musical works. 

Your Assignment: Listen to the link below, share with your family, and add comments to let us know what you think! 

This one is Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words: Spring Song
Time Period: ​Romantic, 1844
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Originally written for solo piano, here is a lovely version with clarinet playing the melody. The second link is a solo piano version. Can you imagine lots of birds, butterflies, bees, & flowers swaying in the breeze?

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meet our 5th & 6th year students!

3/18/2021

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This week, we are recognizing these students for 5 & 6 years of music study! Congratulations! Special awards will be given in May!

Navir

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What grade are you in?
3rd
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Stathia

What do you like most about playing your instrument?
I like the sound of the piano and learning with Mrs. Stathia!
What's your favorite piece you have played?
Allegro and Doo Wop Ditty
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
Because I want to keep learning piano and getting better. AND I love Mrs. Stathia!
What's your favorite subject in school?
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Martial Arts, Piano, Gujarati (Indian Language) School with my grandma, Football, Basketball...
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Nailed It and Go Dog Go
What's your favorite color?
Turquoise
Do you have any pets?
Only My Little Brother (ha ha)
Do you have any siblings?
Nayav (my little brother who is 6 years old)
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I like to be silly and funny . I hope I make people laugh.
What are YOU really good at?
Climbing Trees
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Try your best and have fun
What do you love about MSS?
I like Mrs. Stathia but I LOVE the Christmas recitals!
What else would we like to know about YOU?
I really like to draw maps.
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
Mrs. Stathia, I just love you a lot. Thank you for being my teacher.

Ryan

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What grade are you in?
6th

Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Meredth

What do you like most about playing your instrument?
I can get extremely creative.
What's your favorite piece you have played?
Carol of the Bells (Ukranian Carol).
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
I learn new and interesting pieces.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Science
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Band
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Holes
What's your favorite color?
White
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I am very funny because I love making my friends laugh.
What are YOU really good at?
Math
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Like what you do, and you will always succeed. -Katherine Johnson
What do you love about MSS?
Their patience.
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
Thank you for being the best and most patient teacher.

Anna

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What grade are you in?
6th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Meredith
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
I love being able to sing songs and play the piano with it!
What's your favorite piece you have played?
Circle of Life
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
I absolutely love the piano and Ms. Meredith!
What's your favorite subject in school?
Language Arts
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Dance, acting, and voice
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
The Help
What's your favorite color?
Pink
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I am a triple threat when it comes to theatre
What are YOU really good at?
Musical theatre
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Practice!
What do you love about MSS?
The kind teachers
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
She always sees the potential in every student. She never doubts anyone and is always so so so kind!

Kaira

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What grade are you in?
4th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Stathia
What's your favorite piece you have played?
Quadrille
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
Learning more about music
What's your favorite subject in school?
French
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Soccer and dance
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Sound of Music
What's your favorite color?
White
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I like learning new things which makes me open to learning about almost anything that I do not know about.
What are YOU really good at?
Soccer
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Learn the notes
What do you love about MSS?
I like the teachers
What else would we like to know about YOU?
That I am a great cook
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
Thank you for teaching me piano! I love it! I also love FaceTiming with you!

Savannah

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What grade are you in?
6th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Ellie
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
It’s so pretty and I love experimenting with notes and melodies
What's your favorite piece you have played?
All of them! I can’t pick a favorite! But I really have fun with my recital pieces
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
My amazing teacher and my curiosity and passion for music
What's your favorite subject in school?
Reading
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Girl Scouts, piano, tennis
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Five feet apart is my favorite movie
What's your favorite color?
Mint green
Do you have any pets?
A dog named Tess
Do you have any siblings?
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I have two brothers. Will (10) and Lucas (6 almost 7)
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I’m adventurous and hard working. I like to try new things and work hard at Girl Scouts and in school to be the best person I can be
What are YOU really good at?
Reading and cooking
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Stick with it for a while because sometimes it will be hard but don’t give up! And make sure you’re putting in the effort to be successful.
What do you love about MSS?
How nice the teachers are!
What else would we like to know about YOU?
I love making videos and am going to a magnet school for theatre and communications next year!
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
​She’s great at coming up with techniques to help me be the best pianist I can be and is always pushing me to work harder and exceed my potential

Christine

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What grade are you in?
4th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Mrs Meredith, Mrs Stathia, Mr James
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
The beautiful sound
What's your favorite piece you have played?
Sonatina
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
the wonderful teachers
What's your favorite subject in school?
Math
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Swimming
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Star Wars
What's your favorite color?
Purple
Do you have any pets?
yes, dog Rudy
Do you have any siblings?
yes, one sister
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I'm perseverant
What are YOU really good at?
Swimming
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Never give up
What do you love about MSS?
The teachers
What else would we like to know about YOU?
I qualify for the Swimming championship
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
​​Thank you for your help with all my music pieces. Love you.

Ezekiel

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What grade are you in?
6th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Meredith

What do you like most about playing your instrument?
I can play sounds I like.
What's your favorite piece you have played?
High Hopes
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
I enjoy it and is relaxing.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Technology
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Dragon Prince
What's your favorite color?
Aqua
Do you have any siblings?
Yes, one older brother, Calvin
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I can befriend most people I meet because I find people interesting.
What are YOU really good at?
Swimming. I'm a fish.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Be passionate when you play and eventually you will be able to play music you like.
What do you love about MSS?
It's a very welcoming and friendly environment.
What else would we like to know about YOU?
I like to watch anime and play video games.
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
I was so happy when you returned from maternity leave so I miss you when you're gone.

Ada

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What grade are you in?
5th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Meredith
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
It’s fun!
What's your favorite piece you have played?
The Pokemon Theme Song
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
It is good for my resume when I grow up!
What's your favorite subject in school?
Robotics
What other activities do you do outside of school?
I like playing video games & building legos.
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
I don’t do favorites
What's your favorite color?
Rainbow 🌈
Do you have any pets?
Yes! Dog-Lemon Juice, Frenchie; Lizard-Savannah
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
My curiosity gives me courage to learn.
What are YOU really good at?
Math!
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Have confidence
What do you love about MSS?
The piano!
What else would we like to know about YOU?
I am a great singer!
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
Thank you for teaching me! I think you are great.

Eva

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What grade are you in?
5th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Mrs.Coolidge
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
The sound you can make
What's your favorite piece you have played?
Greensleaves
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
Wanting to know how to do more
What's your favorite subject in school?
History
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Read lots of books
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Spiderwick chronicle
What's your favorite color?
Yellow
Do you have any pets?
Two dogs named Cash Money and Christmas
Do you have any siblings?
Yes, a little sister
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I love to read, and have a vast knowledge of unique information
What are YOU really good at?
Reading books
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
To just keep practicing, and they will soon understand it
What do you love about MSS?
The lessons
What else would we like to know about YOU?
My favorite book series are A series of Unfortunate Events and Spiderwick Chronicles
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
​
Thanks

Ignacio

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What grade are you in?
6th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Coolidge
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
There’s a lot of different ways to play.
What's your favorite piece you have played?
“Cat Patrol”
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
New pieces, and new ways to play.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Math
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Karate
What's your favorite color?
Blue
Do you have any pets?
I have a cat and her name is Ginger.
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
My creativity because I get to use my crazy ideas in GT classes.
What are YOU really good at?
Math, and Science
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Keep going, it’ll be tough, but give it your best.
What do you love about MSS?
The variety of instruments that are available to play.
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
​
Ms. Coolidge, you are awesome!

Myles

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What grade are you in?
6th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Coolidge
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
Once you learn a song, it's fun playing it for other people.
What's your favorite piece you have played?
Amazing Grace
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
My parents told me not to quit.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Science
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Play basketball
What's your favorite color?
Purple
Do you have any pets?
Dog, named Otto
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
My personality
What are YOU really good at?
Video games
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Practice
What do you love about MSS?
Virtual lessons
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
Hi

Reenie

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What grade are you in?
5th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Mrs. Meredith
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
I like how you can make really beautiful music with your own hands on the piano.
What's your favorite piece you have played?
Pantomime
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
The people that encourage me while i'm playing.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Math or science
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Soccer, Lacrosse, Basketball, Girl Scouts
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
My favorite movie is Christmas Chronicles.
What's your favorite color?
Purple, mint green, and Teal/Aqua
Do you have any pets?
Lola - Dog and Cookie - Cat
Do you have any siblings?
Yes, Fletcher (9) and Pepper (4)
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I think I have a good sense of humor because I can make people laugh.
What are YOU really good at?
I think I am pretty good at basketball.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
I would tell them to act like there is an egg under their palm, and they can't crack it.
What do you love about MSS?
i love all the recitals and performances we get to go to, I also love listening to the other students play.
What else would we like to know about YOU?
I started Hockaday this year and I really love my new school.
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
Thank you so much! You have gotten me so far in my piano career. I really appreciate the time you spend with me, helping me improve and have fun.

Kaivan

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What grade are you in?
5th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Mrs. Stathia and Mr. James
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
It is a fun time killer
What's your favorite piece you have played?
Dueling fingers
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
The fact that the music is fun
What's your favorite subject in school?
History
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Soccer, Basketball and French guitar and piano
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Miracle on Ice
What's your favorite color?
Green
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I think I am good at quickly understanding things because I was brought up well
What are YOU really good at?
Learning other languages
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Learn to read music
What do you love about MSS?
It helps me understand the fun of music
What else would we like to know about YOU?
My favorite sport is ice hockey
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
Thank you for teaching me music and the fun of it
and also these students:

Evan

Livia

Sydney

Luke

Niko

Aria

Izabella

Joshua

Lola

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Ear Explorations #13

3/18/2021

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We are wanting to encourage our students to listen to different and important musical works. 

Your Assignment: Listen to the link below, share with your family, and add comments to let us know what you think! 

This one is J.S. Bach's Toccata & Fugue in D Minor
Time Period: ​Baroque
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Used in scary movies sometimes! One slow, dramatic melody in the Toccata, followed by many fast melodies. Then, in the Fugue, organized, overlapping melodies (starting at 2:41)

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meet our 7th & 8th year students!

3/7/2021

0 Comments

 
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This week, we are recognizing these students for 7 & 8 years of music study! Congratulations! Special awards will be given in May!

McKenna

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What grade are you in?
6th

Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Nevill

What do you like most about playing your instrument?
When you get to know a song really well, it sticks with you and it’s fun!
What's your favorite piece you have played?
"Spanish Cabellero", "Ice Skaters", and  "Try Everything". 
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
my improvement!
What's your favorite subject in school?
Math
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Chinese, Spanish, plays tennis, and Kumon
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
"Murder Mystery" on netflix.
What's your favorite color?
white,  green, & blue
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I can make people smile, I’m really good at cheering people up. 
What are YOU really good at?
Tennis!
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
it will be hard but then when you get the hang of it, it will be fun!
What do you love about MSS?
The way they teach so it doesn’t get confusing
What else would we like to know about YOU?
I am starting to play baseball
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
I’m a little bit of a slow learner but I get the hang of things!" 

Anna

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What grade are you in?
7th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Ms. Stathia
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
YesI sit down to start playing and I can't stop.

What's your favorite piece you have played?
Frankie & Johnny AND Dream a Little Dream of Me
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
I get to see Ms Stathia.
What's your favorite subject in school?
Advanced Theater Arts
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Dance
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Gilmore Girls and Clueless and Vampire Dairies
What's your favorite color?
Purple
Do you have any pets?
Toby (terrier mix) and Lulu (goldendoodle)

Do you have any siblings?
Yes-- a little sister
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
The best thing about me is that I am loyal by always being there for my friends and family. Also my hugs.
What are YOU really good at?
I am good at theater arts and writing
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
To continue with lessons even if it is not your favorite, because it is something you can do for the rest of your life.
What do you love about MSS?
The relaxing and calm environment.
What else would we like to know about YOU?
I love food.
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Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
Thank you. Also, I practiced with my left hand!

Juliette

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​What grade are you in?
7th
Current &/or Past Teacher(s):
Mrs. Meredith, Ms. Herod, Mrs. Jenni, & Mrs. Stathia (aka: mom)
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
It’s fun
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
My teachers
What's your favorite subject in school?
Social Studies
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Dance
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
His Dark Materials
What's your favorite color?
Purple
Do you have any pets?
Yes, lab- Cowboy, catahula leopard- Rider
Do you have any siblings?
Yes- Dominic, my older brother
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
I like to organize things because it keeps me clean and tidy
What are YOU really good at?
Dance
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Just take it day by day it is not going to come super fast
What do you love about MSS?
Everything
What else would we like to know about YOU?
I don’t like Mexican food
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
I’m happy!

Mischa

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What grade are you in?
7the
Student's Current &/or Past Teacher(s)
Ms. Lynne Nevill
What do you like most about playing your instrument?
​I love when I master a song and it sounds so good.
What's your favorite piece you have played?
My favorite piece was "Colors of the Wind".
What keeps you going with lessons (and interested)?
Playing songs for my friends
What's your favorite subject in school?
Math
What other activities do you do outside of school?
Lacrosse
What's your favorite movie &/or TV show?
Captain America Civil War
What's your favorite color?
Blue
Do you have any pets?
2 cats - jasmine and symba
Do you have any siblings?
Yes one sister
What is the best thing about YOU and why?
That I can always make people laugh and it’s good because it makes people feel better
What are YOU really good at?
I’m good at lacrosse
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in lessons?
Don’t give up and work your hardest
What do you love about MSS?
That all the teachers are so nice and always talk to me.
​Anything you would like to say to your teacher?
Thank you for teaching me for so many years

Sohum

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the thing you do to make you good

2/20/2021

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-Stathia Orwig

So, you've got your child in music lessons and now, you've got to figure out practice. Why? Well, they can't learn to play an instrument only by attending lessons. Practice is a must. I know, it's hard to fit in. I get it. I struggle with my kids every day, every week, and they are older! So, here are some pointers on how to get in practice.
  • make it part of the daily schedule. Do your kids come home and have a snack? Maybe once they have a snack, they can unwind by practicing before they dive into their homework. Or what about the mornng before school? Could he get up 15-20 minutes earlier to ft in practice? For some famiilies, this might work! Or, what about while mom/dad is getting dinner ready, he goes and does the practice? These are just ideas to connect practice. Once you decide what would work best, then stick to it and it will become part of the routine.
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  • practice right after your lesson while it's fresh on the mind. Teachers help with practice and new pieces in the lesson. If you go home and practice while it's still fresh, then in comes back easier even if it's just a few minutes!
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  • put the piano in a visible and inviting part of your home. We want to practice in a happy surrounding! And it definitely helps if it's in the part of the house where you will remember to play!
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  • just get to the instrument. Really, this is the hardest part! It's kind of like getting to the gym...once you get there, you are fine, You could even stay for a long time! 
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Once practice becomes part of the schedule, then it just gets easier and even more fun! Of course, we as teachers are always rewarding our students for practice with music bucks, contests, music ball, and honor roll. But the real fun, honestly, comes when they are confident & learning more repertoire! For more fun practice pointers, check out an past blog from the Old Pro.

Happy practicing!! Let us know what works for you!
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Ear Explorations #012

2/18/2021

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We are wanting to encourage our students to listen to different and important musical works. 

Your Assignment: Listen to the link below, share with your family, and add comments to let us know what you think! 

This one is Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro".
Time Period: ​Romantic Era, 1918

​This stage performance opens with Gianni Schicchi shouting, in resistance to the idea of his daughter marrying her love. Then his daughter pleads with him.

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We are famous!

2/7/2021

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-Stathia Orwig

​So, if you follow us on social media, you've probably already seen this. For those of you who have not- you're in for a real surprise! Music SO Simple was in the Richardson Community Impact!!! 

Basically, out of the blue, a reporter emailed the studio asking to set up an interview with me. After the interview was a hit, he came in to take pictures of the studio and me teaching, Little Miss Sophia, my student who I was teaching the evening he came in  felt like a star!! 

The article was about MSS, how we started, and how we were adapting to the coronavirus pandemic:
Music SO Simple was named after a philosophy that owner Stathia Orwig uses when teaching music gets overwhelming.

“Things just kind of started getting really busy,” Orwig said of a previous job at a music school. “I wanted to get back to just private lessons and just music.”

In addition, the two capital letters in the middle of the name are in honor of her initials, Orwig said.

After starting with just one other teacher in 2016, Music SO Simple now has 11 instructors. The business offers lessons in piano, flute, guitar, voice and violin out of the studio Orwig opened in Richardson’s Arapaho Station development on Plano Road in 2018. Orwig said she has been “really picky” in choosing her staff, noting that she wanted to make sure she hired people she knew and would trust teaching her own children.

Like many small businesses, Music SO Simple struggled through the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and the accompanying stay-at-home orders. The business lost about 15 students who were not interested in virtual lessons; however, the remaining students ended up enjoying the virtual option, and Orwig said instructors conducted around 200 more lessons over the summer than they had in previous summers.

“[Virtual lessons] taught us—and it still teaches us, because about 50% of our students are still virtual—as teachers to really communicate what we are needing to do,” said Orwig, who also teaches piano at the school. “What’s great for the students is that we’ve learned to really get good at our directions, but they’ve had to get really good at listening.”

The school even hosted a pair of virtual recitals for its students in May and December. After the first concert proved to be stressful for some students, Orwig decided to keep the December recital simple.

“Some kids wore PJs; some invited family members to dance or play a simple instrument while they did their instrument,” she said. “We had a little contest, and we had over 200 votes. It was really fun.”
​Click here for the web story.
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Sophia signed a copy of the article that is now hanging in our studio. Please feel free to share the article with family and friends!! Thank you all for sharing your love of learning music and MSS!! We couldn't do this without you!!
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MUSIC SO SIMPLE
469.778.2121
​
info@musicsosimple.com
​
1144 Plano Road, suite 142, richardson, texas 75081

Music So Simple, Music Schools, Richardson, TX
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