Most of you who know me know that organization is my strength. My Full Focus planner is by my side all day, every day. I'm constantly thinking and doing. 

We love beginning the new year with new goals and plans! I always talk with my students about the fresh start in September...and then we get to recreate in January!! Each year, I usually do a blog about goals for MSS- where we are, where we want to go. It's helpful for me to make it "public" so that I am (sort of) accountable. So, here it goes!

#1: EXPANDING OUR SPACE
I've signed a lease to expand our space!! Construction should begin soon. We are adding in one bigger room and 3 smaller classrooms. In addition, we are moving our teacher workroom to the back of the new space and converting the existing teacher workroom into our group keyboard room. All of this is estimated to be finished around March. 

#2: SUB CLASSES
We began our school year with a schedule of amazing Saturday Unique Bonus (SUB) Classes. I want to continue this momentum through the spring and fall. This spring, we have lined up classes in Music Memory, Musical Theatre, Opera, and a special community outreach at a nursing home. 

#3: EXPANDING OUR RECITAL OPPORTUNITIES
As we continue to get larger, I want to be able to offer our students the same "intimate" recital settings. However, we can not do this with our typical 2 recital dates per year. So, in order to help spread out performing opportunities, we are adding in a Family Fun recital in February. This recital will be for our family members who take lessons and want to perform a duet or trio! In April, we will offer a few outdoor recitals and then, we will end with our May recitals. I plan to keep this momentum going in the fall. We are not trying to have everyone play at every recital, we are just planning to have students pick and chose which recitals fit best into their schedules. 

#4: MUSIC TOGETHER PROGRAM
I have been setting up a plan to switch the curriculum of our baby classes to one that is research based- and I am settled on Music Together. As of this blog, I have officially finished my teacher training and am getting ready to begin these classes. To say I'm excited is an understatement!! Classes are estimated to begin in February 2024!

#5: GROUP PIANO CLASSES
It is my goal to ramp up our group piano classes, especially for beginners. Expect to see a greaat schedule this summer which will continue into the school year!


These are 5 big goals for 2024!! I'm pumped and ready to tackle these goals! When you see me, feel free to ask how they are going! 

Thank you to those who took the time to fill out our questionnaire from our December Holiday Recitals. Here are the responses from our questions.

I feel that I received good communication from the studio and was well informed of registration and information about the recital.
100% gave 5 of 5

I feel that the venue allowed for good visibility of the performers.
2.9% gave a 4 of 5, 97.1% gave a 5 of 5

I feel that the venue was easy to get to.
100% gave 5 of 5

I feel that the recitals that Music So Simple offers are well run, organized, and a great representation of its students.
100% gave 5 of 5

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK:

• We miss having the recital on a Saturday and serve treats afterwards.
  
  • This was how the schedule worked- the weekday recitals were our best option for this December. We missed treats too, however, with the evening recitals and dinners, we thought it was best to not have a reception.
    
• The venue was beautiful, but it was difficult for the senior citizens we brought—the steps were very steep and there weren’t handrails on every row. 
  
  • ​I do think we will reserve the first row next time for our senior citizens.
    
• Waiting for the previous recital to clear caused congestion.
  
  • ​We knew it was going to be tight, but it worked! And it was only one recital that was very full that went a little later. We were able to begin each recital on time!
    
• The recital fee seems very steep with as many students as there are performing in the total number of recitals. Using the venue’s piano I’m sure would save on a majority of the costs.
  
  • ​I'm not sure how to respond to this one...however, saving money on a piano that was not there is not possible. And, we definitely hold a standard for a performance piano!
    

POSITIVE FEEDBACK:

• We love this school and the teachers. We appreciate all you do!!
• Love the new venue!
• You all did a beautiful job, as always! Thanks for all of the hard work!!
• I checked in with the kiddos and they both agreed - they like the new space and the weekday recital!
• You and your team did a fabulous job!
• Beautiful venue! Beautiful piano! Great seats for all parents and spectators! Thank you!
  

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Our recitals are truly a showcase of who we are and what we do. From the feedback, I think we knocked it out of the park!

In my opinion, this room was amazing! It was super easy to get to, including parking and entering the space! Of course, we will be making some tweaks in future performances. Renting a room of this size and grace is expensive, especially when we use their sound and light equipment. It is only possible now that we do have many students! Our students played so well and were very prepared. Playing on the Steinway which we brought in- a beautiful instrument for our pianists- was a lot of hard work, but truly worth it. Many recitals charge a participation fee and then charge for audience seating. I have no interest in doing that so we do charge a nominal recital fee which I believe is a small price to pay for sure an amazing experience and venue.

I'm so proud of how our recitals turned out this December and it was an excellent way to showcase our students and end the 2023 semester. Stay tuned for other recital options this spring!