Practice Star!
At MMS, we believe that making musical progress and seeing our ability to grow is incredibly exciting! The absolute best way to see this progress and to stay inspired about our musical journey is to develop a great practice routine. We know that practicing at home isn't always easy! In order to encourage and reward exceptional practice habits, we created the Practice Star Program.
Every few weeks we choose a new Practice Star and reward them for their great efforts by presenting them with a special certificate that they can display proudly at home.
March 2024 Practice Stars: Ali & Adam!
From Justin: “Ali is an inquisitive and fun piano student. She comes to her lesson prepared and ready to play. I am really happy that she loves music and is always eager to show me what she has learned. She has also been playing in school concerts and shows how dedicated she is to the piano. We have almost completed her lesson book which is awesome! Ali also lets me know about popular songs she would to learn. As her teacher it is so much fun getting to work with a student like Ali. Congrats on Practice Star!”
Get to Know Ali!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I have a both a cat and a dog that live with me.
What do you love about learning music?
I love that there’s so many things you can play after only learning a few notes and that there’s always something new that you could learn.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Vivaldi’s song Spring.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Probably Fur Elise because I think it sounds very pretty.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Try to memorize all the places where notes go on a music sheet and where they correspond on the piano because that will get you very far.
From Lizzie: “Adam is a bright and joyful student who comes to each lesson with a smile and a willingness to try something new! Recently he has really shown some amazing strides in learning new pieces quickly and is also showing musician independence in his ability to learn some songs from his book all on his own! Way to go, Adam!”
Get to Know Adam!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I really like cats and I'm afraid of dogs.
What do you love about learning music?
It's fun to learn new songs, like going on a different adventure.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
"Forest Song," because I like spooky songs.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
At some point, I would like to learn the main theme song to Luigi's Mansion 3.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
First, you should understand what it sounds like. After, once you get the sound right, it's easy to practice. Do all the songs you're supposed to do once or twice a day.
February 2024 Practice Stars: Estelle & Nolan!
Teacher: Christian Stathopoulos
From Christian: “Estelle is a great student that has been practicing and progressing consistently since her first lesson with me last year! She continually has a good attitude during lessons and is always prepared to play her songs for me. I really appreciate how excited she is about music and often comes to me with new songs/skills she wants to learn. We have recently been diving into the world of singing and playing pop music after she expressed interest in that, and it has been going great! Congratulations on being Practice Star this month, and keep it up!”
Get to Know Estelle!
What is one fn fact about yourself?
I eat more food than a teenager.
What do you love about learning music?
I can make people smile with my music.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Young Hunter!
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Golden Gate by Riopy
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Go on the beat!
Teacher: Christian Stathopoulos
From Christian: “Nolan has been making remarkable progress at such a young age. He is always very eager to play more challenging music, and I am continually impressed that he learns everything I assign him so fast. He practices his music until it becomes "too easy" according to him, which is exactly what any teacher would want! I also appreciate his positive attitude during lessons, and am looking forward to watching him progress musically. Congratulations on being this month's practice star, you've earned it!”
Get to Know Nolan!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I am faster than Sonic the Hedgehog.
What do you love about learning music?
I can make people fall asleep with my music.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Hey, Hey, Look at Me
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Fur Elise by Beethoven
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
You can do it with me, if you want to. You won’t be nervous if you play with me.
January 2024 Practice Stars: Freddie & Damian!
From Justin: Freddie has this insatiable hunger for music and for learning. Every lesson with Freddie is an adventure as we delve into the many facets of music. She is consistently prepared for each and every lesson and is eager every week to master certain topics or concepts. One of the things I love about Freddie is that she is willing to try new things which is probably the most important quality of being a musician. She is eager to broaden her horizons, learn something new and also master it. Congratulations Freddie on being Practice Star for this month! You deserve it!!
Get to Know Freddie!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I like to play pinball.
What do you love about learning music?
I love making progress on a song and hearing the final results.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
“Habanera,” from the opera Carmen, by Georges Bizet. It has a fun rhythm and a catchy tune.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
“Satisfied” from Hamilton.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Try to practice every day, but If you start to feel like practice is a burden, take a break and come back to it.
From Anna: Damian is so much fun to play piano with! He is a wonderful student, and he is always practicing and writing down how many times he practiced each week. He is very good at recognizing notes and writing in what letter they are. We like to write songs together about his favorite stuffed animal who is a sloth named Dangler! One time he surprised me by showing me that he had written his own songs and folded them up into little circles that were records, it was so cool! Great job Damian you are getting better and better at the piano everyday and I'm proud of you!
Get to Know Damian!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I really like sloths! They are my favorite animal.
What do you love about learning music?
I love playing music because it’s fun and I like figuring out how to play new songs. Anna makes playing piano so fun. That helps too.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
I love the first song I ever learned. The walking song.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Another song by Beethoven
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Bring your stuffed animal(s) to practice. They can be supportive!
December 2023 Practice Stars: Estelle & Lillian!
From Lizzie: “Estelle is a wonderful student with a shining positive attitude and an eagerness to learn. We have fun in every lesson, whether we are working hard making progress in her piano book, polishing-up pieces for her school orchestra, or just sharing stories about our beloved cats. Estelle always arrives to her lesson with a big smile, a kind heart and a joy and love for music. Congratulations Estelle - you truly rock! 💜 ”
Get to Know Estelle!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I have 2 Siberian Forest Cats named Merlin Moon and Electra Spectra.
What do you love about learning music?
I love being able to express myself and create my own interpretations of well known music.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
“Gymnopedie” by Erik Satie.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
“Moon River” by Henry Mancini.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Take your time. If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a break for a few minutes and come back.
From Justin: “From day one Lillian was a practice star student. She has learned so much in just the three months she has been taking lessons. She has always been super focused and motivated to learn more about music and piano. When she started reading music she began exploring new songs outside of the regular lesson book and mastered them right away. She has excellent rhythm and reads music very fast. All of these things are factors for an excellent practice star student! Congrats Lillian!”
Get to Know Lillian!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I like rock climbing.
What do you love about learning music?
You get to play lots of different songs.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
My favorite so far is Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Someday I would like to learn Here Comes the Sun.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
If you practice, you can keep up with the lessons, and then every lesson will be more fun!
November 2023 Practice Stars: Callie & Theo!
From David: “Callie is an intelligent student who is impressing me with her knack for composition. It is really fun to see how quickly she has been learning and applying her knowledge of piano to our Music Production lessons. She just started working with the cloud based music production software Bandlab, at the beginning of October. Less than two months in and Callie has already been creating original tracks with multiple layers, improvising melodies with unique emotion, and expressing her ideas with confidence. I am looking forward to seeing her musical progress. Keep up the great work Callie!”
Get to Know Callie!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I am a citizen of two countries (USA and Aotearoa New Zealand).
What do you love about learning music?
I like creating new melodies and putting different instruments together to make a cool piece.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Nausicaa Requiem (from Nausicaa of the Valley of the wind).
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
If you don't understand something, just try it out! You can always ask your teacher at your next lesson.
From David: “Theo is a wonderful student who has stayed consistent with his practice and progress on a regular basis since we started lessons together! I am happy to see his hard work being recognized, and just last week he even finished up his most recent lesson book Faber Level 2a. Theo has a down to earth and hard working attitude that will serve him well in his education now and into the future. Great job becoming Practice Star Theo!”
Get to Know Theo!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love soccer.
What do you love about learning music?
I get to learn new songs.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Snakecharmer.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Auld Lang Syne.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
The more you do it, the more you like it!
October 2023 Practice Stars: Bodie & Kimberly!
From Anna: “Bodie is a fantastic student who always practices his music and comes to class super prepared! He has a real passion for the piano and even writes his own songs! We always have so much fun in our lessons and I can tell that he has wonderful natural musical abilities. Last month he played Imagine at his first MMS open mic and everyone was so proud. It's going to be very exciting to see where this talented young musician goes next! Congratulations Bodie!”
Get to Know Bodie!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I’m small but I’m really really fast. I’m really good at soccer and baseball. I’m good at being friends with everybody.
What do you love about learning music?
I like learning music because it’s fun to get better at music. I really like playing music for other people and making them happy. This summer I was on a river trip in Idaho and brought my keyboard…It just felt good to exercise my fingers.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Imagine, Bach Minuets in G and Gm, and a tune I wrote called Lonely Tiger.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Giving It Away For Free (a song my dad wrote) and play it with my own band!
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Use the practice chart! It’s fun to color in each day after I’ve practiced.
Teacher: Christian Stathopoulos
From Christian: “Kimberly is a diligent student that practices consistently week after week. Her practice log is always full and she improves in musicality and confidence each lesson. During our time together, we have worked on a variety of songs that span many different styles, and it has been lots of fun tackling the challenges that each song brings. Congrats on making practice star, and keep up the good work!”
Get to Know Kimberly!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I speak Filipino and learning Mandarin. I’m also a choir member of St. Patrick’s church children’s choir and recently an altar server.
What do you love about learning music?
Music can lead to better learning. I love learning new songs and being able to play them well on the piano.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Count On Me by Bruno Mars - I am learning this and for the first time singing and playing piano at the same time.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I would like to learn “Fur Elise” someday and be able to play it perfectly.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
To focus, try your best, and never give up. I always remind this to my younger brother Kristopher.
September 2023 Practice Stars: Quinn & Zoe!
From Justin: “Quinn is an outstanding musical artist who shows great care for musicality, dynamics, and careful tempos. She knows what she likes and takes great pride in her playing. I enjoy our lessons a lot because I also have fun teaching someone who is open to new ideas and shows great respect. Practicing piano really is an art form and Quinn shows me that practice truly makes perfect. Great job this month Quinn on making Practice Star!”
Get to Know Quinn!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love doing art.
What do you love about learning music?
It's super musical and fun. I think it really hits the spot of creativity.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
My favorite so far is In the Hall of the Mountain King.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
A song I would love to learn is Fur Elise.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
To try their best and put your all into it. Practice every day. Choose songs you like and choose to have a good time!
From Justin: “Zoe has such a passion for music and that comes forth in our lessons and in her playing. She is always excited to learn new things, new notes, and she enjoys a challenge. It is fun to teach Zoe because I know that she will be motivated and will practice it until she is confident. Our lessons are always fun, engaging, and almost always with a few laughs. I was first impressed with Zoe's playing of "I See the Light." She played with dynamics and had a sensitivity for the piece. I hope that she continues to develop her musical skills! Great job this month Zoe on making Practice Star! ”
Get to Know Zoe!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I really like doing science and art.
What do you love about learning music?
I really like making up songs to sing, and if I keep practicing different types of songs on the piano, then one day I might be able to play one of the songs that I made up.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
My favorite so far is the song I'm learning now--How Far I'll Go, from Moana.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Someday I might like to learn That Would be Enough from Hamilton.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
The more you practice, the easier the song will get!
August 2023 Practice Star: Zach!
From David: “Zach is such a fun student to work with! He is always very polite and earnest, with a good natured attitude towards life! Zach is motivated to learn new things, especially songs that pique his other interests, such as "Take Me Out To The Ball Game." I have seen Zach's practice habits improve over this summer, especially once we started keeping better track of his practice. Let's keep that ball rollin', Zach! I am confident that Zach will continue to stay focused on piano, and really everything that he puts his mind to!”
Get to Know Zach!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I played baseball on the San Francisco All-Stars team this summer.
What do you love about learning music?
It makes my family happy.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
My favorite song that I have learned so far is the Indiana Jones theme song.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
A song I would love to learn is “What’s Up Danger” by Black Caviar & Blackway.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Don’t get frustrated and keep going no matter what!
July 2023 Practice Star: Kaiden!
From Natalie: “Kaiden is not just a Practice Star, she is a Superstar! In her 6 years she has already had the experience of singing on the big stage, and she has participated in numerous MMS events like open mics, recitals, and the kid's music festival at Bottom of the Hill. In every performance Kaiden has demonstrated noticeable improvement in her musical skills and her artistry. All of these are not just a result of her talent and love of learning music, but of course her patience in keeping on her piano/voice practicing routine. Congratulations, Kaiden the Superstar! Keep it up!”
Get to Know Kaiden!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I started doing gymnastics this summer and I really enjoy it. I am working on my cartwheel!
What do you love about learning music?
I love performing at open mic events. I have learned that with practice I get better and I am not scared to perform on stage.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Minuet in G by Bach
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Tango by Albeniz
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
It is a good idea to start learning new songs and scales slowly. With more practice it will get easier to go faster.
June 2023 Practice Star: Neko!
From Lou: “Neko is a joy to teach! She shows up to lessons knowing her music and ready to sing it in her unique style. In preparing for her Legally Blonde auditions coming up this fall, she has already researched the character she wants to play, so we're able to discuss more high-level interpretation in her lessons. She's motivated and expressive! Keep it up, Neko! ”
Get to Know Neko!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
Fun fact is that I have two Guinea Pigs (Neptune and Pluto) that are 10 weeks old. I love all musicals and recently finished a production of Beauty and the Beast!
What do you love about learning music?
Whenever you can’t put your thoughts into words music is always an amazing outlet that does just that.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
My favorite song that I have learned so far is Hallelujah.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
A song I would love to learn is Defying Gravity. I’ve always been a fan of Wicked and Elphaba is one of my dream roles.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
My advice would be to not be afraid to sing in front of others, and realize how amazing your voice is. Also, don’t compare your voice to other people’s because everyone’s vocal style is different - remember that yours is unique and special.
May 2023 Practice Star: Anna!
From Natalie: “Anna has demonstrated amazing improvement during this year. Despite her busy schedule, which includes a lot of different musical activities, she regularly practices piano. I was especially impressed with how Anna's musicality has grown. She pays attention to every phrase, every dynamic and every articulation mark; and her repertoire is quite challenging, by the way. Good job, Anna! Congratulations for being a Practice Star! Keep it up!”
Get to Know Anna!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I am absolutely OBSESSED with dogs. I know almost every breed, and I can recognize them on sight. Also, I love to draw.
What do you love about learning music?
When you perform music, you only get a couple of minutes, so you really have to concentrate.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Fur Elise by L.V. Beethoven
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Moments we live for (In Paradise)
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Mistakes are crucial. If you don't learn from your mistakes, you aren't learning. Don't be afraid to make mistakes.
April 2023 Practice Star: Indigo!
From Natalie: “Indigo is a very dedicated and talented student with a great attitude! She is consistently improving and expanding her skill sets in voice as well as in piano! Indigo successfully performed in MMS open mics and in Kids Music Festival! Looking forward to seeing where she goes on her musical journey. Congratulations, Indigo! Keep up the great work!”
Get to Know Indi!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love to craft and spend time everyday doing some type of craft. My favorite thing is building small houses out of materials.
What do you love about learning music?
I love that when you finally get it right, it sounds so beautiful.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
My favorite is “Jumping Beans.”
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I hope to learn “Fur Elise.”
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Always remember CDEFGAB is the order of the alphabet on the piano. Also, don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t get it right from the beginning.
March 2023 Practice Stars: Aanya & Aashi!
From Natalie: “Aanya demonstrates outstanding dedication to the learning process. She works hard on her songs and is always excited about all upcoming performances. She consistently works on many songs that she has in her repertoire and every lesson, the results of her work are very noticeable. Congratulations, Aanya, and keep up the great practicing!”
Get to Know Aanya!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love ART! I can draw and color for hours together.
What do you love about learning music?
Playing piano gives me joy. I love playing piano for my family & friends. When I started to read music notes, I was able to discover new songs to play.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
My current favorite is “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I want to learn to play all Disney classics. I’d like to learn “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King next.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Don’t think of practice as a chore. Play piano when you are energetic.
From Lizzie: “Aashi is a dedicated and motivated student - she arrives to each lesson with an excited energy and is always proud to show the progress that she has made each week with her many songs that she is learning. Congrats, Aashi!!”
Get to Know Aashi!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I can do backflips on a bar.
What do you love about learning music?
Music is calming and I also love to write new songs.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
“No One is Alone” from Into the Woods is my favorite.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I would love to learn “Autumn Leaves.”
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Keep trying! Never give up!
February 2023 Practice Star: Beya Maxfield!
From David: “Beya is a very dedicated and talented student with a great attitude! She is always eager to learn and bring her full energy to our lessons. Beya is also consistently improving and expanding her skill sets! Most recently she has jumped right into learning music production! Our current project is having her remix one of her favorite songs, in order to play her own rendition live! We are all looking forward to seeing where she goes on her musical journey. Keep up the great work Beya!”
Get to Know Beya!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
My 1st concert was Lizzo. And the birthmark over my lip changes color as my temperature changes.
What do you love about learning music?
When I learn a song that I like, I get into the groove and if the song has lyrics I will usually try to sing along. It’s fun to play for friends, especially when my parents don’t make me.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
“Good as H*ll” or if that isn’t PG-enough ... Then “Canon in D”.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
"Superstition” on the clavinet (because that’s the keyboard Stevie Wonder plays).
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Try to play songs that you like to play because you’ll be more interested in practicing.
January 2023 Practice Star: Waverly Meyer!
From Lizzie: “Waverly is SUCH a unique and wonderful student to teach. She absolutely loves a challenge and can always find joy and humor in music. Lessons with Waverly are an exciting adventure and we truly have so much fun each week. Way to go, Waverly!”
Get to Know Waverly!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I live in a converted firehouse in San Francisco.
What do you love about learning music?
I love learning new ways to express myself and communicate differently with others. I’m not good at small talk.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Wild Horses - The Rolling Stones
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Any song by Esperanza Spalding. I just saw her at Yoshi’s and she was really inspiring.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Don’t think of practice as a chore, think of it as a privilege.
December 2022 Practice Stars: Linus & Oona!
From Elizabeth: “Linus is such an enthusiastic and wonderful student. He loves to learn new songs and he has a great attitude! He demonstrates amazing results of his piano practicing and fills his practice log always. Great job Linus!”
Get to Know Linus!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
In the winter I don’t need a heater because I’m always warm.
What do you love about learning music?
I like learning how to read music and then playing the notes and hearing their sound.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far? What is a song you might one day like to learn?
My favorite song is Firefly. It would be fun to one day play the Trepak from The Nutcracker.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
If you have problems with reading the notes, label them. It also helps to first look at the pattern of the notes, whether they are in spaces or on lines.
From Elizabeth: “Oona practices piano everyday! She always has a great attitude in class. Oona is a pleasure to have as a student, and I can't wait to watch her grow as a piano player. Congratulations Oona!”
Get to Know Oona!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love owls, and I know a lot about them.
What do you love about learning music?
Learning to play a musical instrument is like learning a whole new language. It's fun and exciting.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far? What is a song you might one day like to learn?
My favorite song so far is "Yellow Submarine" and I would like to learn “Edelweiss.”
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Practice a little bit at a time, and if you're struggling with a hard song, go back and play one of your easy songs to give you confidence.
November 2022 Practice Star: Remy Mediratta!
From Bobby: “Remy is a bright young star, tackling Elton John, Bowie, and then some, after working through lots of Pirates of the Caribbean. He's stepped up his practice lately and is reading music better and better, and I hope he keeps it up and keeps learning all those chords and fun songs!”
Get to Know Remy!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I like fencing and traveling.
What do you love about learning music?
I like how music can sound differently if you play it in different octaves.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far? What is a song you might one day like to learn?
My favorite song so far is "Rocketman" by Elton John.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Practice in the morning before going to school, so after school the practicing job is already done and you can play songs just for fun.
October 2022 Practice Stars: Aysa & Quinn!
From Lou: “Aysa loves to learn. She finds patterns in her music, finds humor in mistakes, and is always willing to try something again if she doesn’t get it at first.”
Get to Know Aysa!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love to color and dance!
What do you love about learning music?
I like to learn about new songs that I don't know yet. It is so much fun.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far? What is a song you might one day like to learn?
My favorite song so far is "Part of Your World" from the Little Mermaid, and I want to learn "Let it Go" soon.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Keep going, that's how you learn.
From Natalie: “Quinn has done an amazing job and demonstrated her dedication to the process of learning piano. She has a lot of well learned and memorized songs in her repertoire, so it was even difficult to choose the one for our October open mic! Quinn fills her ‘Practice Log-Caterpillar’ every week and results of her practicing are great! Congratulations, Quinn, and keep up the great practicing!”
Get to Know Quinn!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
That I love to do crafts and magic.
What do you love about learning music?
I love that I can read notes and playing the piano with my piano teacher!
What is your favorite song you have learned so far? What is a song you might one day like to learn?
My favorite song so far is Jack and the Beanstalk and I hope to learn Für Elise by Beethoven and Clair de Lune by Debussy.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
The whole note makes 4 beats, the half note makes 2 beats and the quarter note makes 1 beat.
September 2022 Practice Stars: Junho & Sanaah!
From Noah: “Junho has done an excellent job putting many hard hours into learning notes and rhythms for some of the harder repertoire that we have been looking at during the beginning of the semester. I am always impressed by Junho's willingness to learn and accept critique, and I am so excited for him to share some music at the first open mic in October!”
Get to Know Junho!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I like to guess the pitch of the sound when people talk or I hear some noises.
What do you love about learning music?
I love it when I get to experience the beauty of the classical music and when it sounds very cool and charming.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far? What is a song you might one day like to learn?
My favorite song I learned so far is Prelude in C major by Bach. And I would like to learn Gymnopedie no. 1 one day.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
I think the music is meant to be played happily so I hope you enjoy the music itself, no matter how good you are.
From Elizabeth: “Sanaah is a joy to work with - she is hard-working, disciplined, self-motivated, and really passionate about piano. I have no doubt that she will go far, in music and in life!”
Get to Know Sanaah!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I really like to read books and if I could I would read all day long.
What do you love about learning music?
I love that with practice you don’t need to look at your keys and you can play any music by just reading notes.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far? What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I love playing Just Like A Dream. And a song I would like to learn one day is a classical song.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Don’t give up!
August 2022 Practice Star: Ari!
From David: "Ari is such a dedicated learner and catches on quickly... especially to all things tech and music! It is awesome seeing his resolve to continually improve his music production and composition skills. We just finished project 14, and now the rumor is project 15 will be a foray into Techno. It's a new week, and for Ari that means a whole new sub-genre of EDM to learn! I look forward to seeing Ari continue to create these super cool original tracks, and explore what is possible with music production and audio engineering. Keep up the great focus Ari!”
Get to Know Ari!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
A different thing about me is that I can do text coding and make a few interesting programs !
What do you love about learning music?
I like the creative process and especially the end result of making a finished song
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Since I am making my own songs, my favorite song is one I created, which I named “Happy Thunder”
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
One day, I would like to learn how to play a hard classical piece of music on the piano
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
I would advise them to always learn something new. Even if it's a digital instrument, or a song on the piano, just always do something new and push your limits.
July 2022 Practice Stars: Jemma & Jessie!
From Anna: Jemma is such an enthusiastic and wonderful student. She always comes to piano class excited to play me her homework, and she practices everyday! She loves to learn new songs, she is a fearless performer at MMS events, and she has a great attitude! Great job Jemma!
Get to Know Jemma!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
When I was four I went to a jumping house place on my birthday that was unicorn themed and had 2 cakes!
What do you love about learning music?
I love hearing the notes!
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Firefly
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
A song from Frozen, maybe “Let it Go!”
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Playing piano is fun!
From Anna: Jessie practices piano everyday, and she is becoming a fantastic musician! She always has a great attitude in class, and she's even offered to go first in one of our school recitals, which shows just how brave she is! Jessie is a pleasure to have as a student, and I can't wait to watch her grow as a piano player. She has unlimited potential and always makes me happy when I see her. Congratulations Jessie!
Get to Know Jessie!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I can do a forward flip on really squishy mats!
What do you love about learning music?
Once you know a song, you can try playing it with your eyes closed, but only if you really nail it!
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
"Memory" from Cats!
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
“Moonlight Sonata”
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
If you get a keyboard that has stickers on it with note letters on the keys, it will probably be easier to learn at first!
June 2022 Practice Star: Freyja!
From Lizzie: Freyja is so determined in her practice! She is a joyful student who loves the challenge of learning a new song. Recently, she has really impressed me by going above-and-beyond to learn songs out of her older sister‘s piano book! Way to go Freyja, you are a practice rock star!
Get to Know Freyja!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I can hang upside down
What do you love about learning music?
I like the beats
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Yankee Doodle
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Octavius the Octopus
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Get a steady beat and practice makes perfect
May 2022 Practice Stars: Phoebe & Naomi!
From Lizzie: Phoebe is an incredibly hard working student who truly LOVES music! She arrives to each lesson excited to learn and challenge herself with something new. Phoebe, you really are such a wonderful young musician - congrats on being Practice Star!!
Get to Know Phoebe!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I really like learning and playing Classical music.
What do you love about learning music?
I love that you can express yourself with the musical notes. Also its really fun to practice a difficult piece and then you can feel really excited and proud once you are able to play it.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Le Petite Noir by Debussy - its really cheerful and its really fun to play.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I’d like to one day learn the rest of Fur Elise.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
As long as you keep trying and keep practicing, you’ll definitely figure it out!
From Lizzie: ”Nomi” arrives to each and every lesson with a big smile, a positive attitude and an eagerness to learn and grow in music! She loves to sing and play piano at the same time and has learned lots of her favorite popular songs this past year. Nomes, you are truly a little rockstar!
Get to Know Naomi!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I’ve been to a volcano! Mt. Etna
What do you love about learning music?
It’s cool that there are different things you can practice like scales, chords and songs, but its REALLY fun when you finish learning a piece and you can play it all the way through.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
I really liked “Love Story” by Taylor Swift, “Hello” by Adele and “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
“Say Something”
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Set a goal of how many minutes you want to play and try to follow through with the goal, but if you don’t get the goal one day it’s still ok.
April 2022 Practice Star: Iana!
From Bobby: “Iana is such a great new student! She always practices what we learn each week and THEN SOME, surprising me with a new song or looking ahead in her book. Keep it up singing and playing!”
Get to know Iana!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I can speak Korean.
What do you love about learning music?
That I get to play my favorite songs.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
"We don't talk about Bruno"
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
"Let It Go"
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
You can do it! 너는 잘 할 수 있어!
March 2022 Practice Star: Harris!
From Andrew: "I always look forward to seeing Harris every Tuesday - he comes to our lessons prepared, enthusiastic and focused. Also congrats to him for completing his Level 1 piano books the same week that he earned his practice star award!"
Get to know Harris!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I’m a really good golfer.
What do you love about learning music?
Learning piano can help with learning a lot of other musical things.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
“Fancy Like” - Walker Hayes
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
“Glad You Exist” - Dan & Shay
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
If you practice piano a lot you can get really good at it really fast.
February 2022 Practice Star: Calvin!
From David: "Hey Calvin! Congrats again on being this month's practice star! I've been really impressed with your playing and it's been awesome to see you breezing through these more challenging pieces. You definitely deserve this award since you have been doing a lot of great work. Keep it up. I know this isn't even counting all the time you spend "noodling" , but that is also great to do too, as you already know!"
Get to know Calvin!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I like solving Rubik's cubes. I think my best time is 20 seconds!
What do you love about learning music?
Making up cool songs and noodling is my favorite thing to do!
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
I have to debate between Subwoofer Lullaby and Haggstrom, but probably Haggstrom!
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
La Campanella
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Basically get your wiggles out on the piano first, like noodle around, and then start doing your normal practice, scales and songs, etc!!
January 2022 Practice Stars: Mia & Freddie!
From Andrew: “Mia always shows great determination and an open mind to learn the next new song and consistently has a great attitude in our lessons. You go, Mia!”
Get to know Mia!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I was born in Boston.
What do you love about learning music?
Once you know it, you can do a bunch of weird crazy things.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Hedwig’s Theme
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
The rest of “A Spoonful of Sugar”
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
You can make it more fun by doing the things you don’t want to do first then save the things you want to do for last.
From Natalie: “Freddie is an amazing student! She is very dedicated to the learning process! She practices every day and is always excited about exploring new songs in different genres, I'm so glad to see her progress at every lesson! Great job, Freddie! Keep up your awesome work!”
Get to know Freddie!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I bike to school every day.
What do you love about learning music?
When you actually can play it and it sounds good. I like listening to the music while I play it.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
It’s hard to choose one. I like Old Man River and God Bless the Child from my jazz book, Auld Lang Syne, and the Bach prelude I’m working on.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Oh Happy Day
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Have a set time every day when you practice. My time is right when I wake up.
December 2021 Practice Star: Laszlo!
From Elizabeth: Laszlo has an excellent attitude and genuinely enjoys music. He comes to every lesson excited and ready to learn. Way to go!
Get to know Laszlo!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I know a really fast way of running.
What do you love about learning music?
It’s so fun to have something else to do. Sometimes there’s nothing to do and you’re bored, but once I learn to play music then I can play a song and I’m not bored anymore.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
I like “Construction Zone” because it has a lot of fun stuff in it. I get to go all the way down and all the up the piano.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
“Red River Valley” - I read a book about a ghost playing a piano and at the end of the book it had the lyrics for the song.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
First I would tell them to learn their fingering
(like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)- that’s what I did in some of my first lessons. Just remember that practicing is fun and keeps you from getting bored. Plus if you learn new music, you can play more than just one song.
November 2021 Practice Star: Lukka!
From Lizzie: Lukka has an awesome attitude and really lights up at her lessons each week. She is super creative and has even started writing her own songs! Way to go Lukka, keep up the great work!
Get to know Lukka!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I have climbed on El Capitan on a rope (just a few weeks ago!)
What do you love about learning music?
That you get to use 2 hands on the piano and you can write your own music.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Driving in the G Clef because you get to use both hands and you say “beep honk beep”. :)
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
“Firework” by Katy Perry
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Keep on trying and never give up and practice makes you better.
October 2021 Practice Star: Fey!
Teacher: Lindsay Rader
From Lindsay: “Fey has a wonderful attitude about playing piano, and always comes into lessons with fresh songs she's written. I especially love how Fey brings into lessons musical inspiration she gets from Minecraft! There's never a dull moment in our lessons together. Keep it up, Fey!”
Get to know Fey!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I can run really fast and I can draw really well.
What do you love about learning music?
Once you learn all the notes and stuff, you can compose music of your own and you can experiment around with the notes.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Probably “Spanish Caballero”.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I’d like to learn “Radar Love” by Golden Earring.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
If you motivate yourself, you can get really good and it’ll be more fun to play.
September 2021 Practice Star: Atticus!
From Patrick: “Atticus is such an enthusiastic and creative student! He is always ready to show me the next cool song he wrote on the piano and brings the same enthusiasm he has for dinosaurs and Godzilla into every song he plays. Great job, Atticus!!”
Get to know Atticus!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I like to collect insects and learn about insects. My pet is a praying mantis named Toby.
What do you love about learning music?
Music makes me wiggle. I like to learn music because I want to make my own happy-wiggle song one day!
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
My favorite song so far is " Gallop, Pony" because the chord sounds really cool.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I might want to learn how to play the theme song of my favorite show, " Bakugan," from Netflix.
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Practice is hard sometimes, but it's all worth it when you notice that your skill has gotten better.
I feel really proud when I can play my C major and G major super fast after so many practices!
August 2021 Practice Star: Anouka!
From Lizzie: Anouka is the absolute best blend of dedication and fun! She has a sweet and kind personality and is always able to bring a smile and a laugh with her to each lesson. She has an excellent ear for music, a beautiful and unique singing voice, and a willingness to go with the flow and try anything! Congrats, Anouka!
Get to know Anouka!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I am a "cat person". My own two kitties sometimes like to sing along while I play my piano pieces.
What do you love about learning music?
You can play and sing songs you love! I love writing my own songs.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Probably "Statues" by Alexandre Desplat, from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
All I Want by Olivia Rodrigo
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
You should practice as much as possible, even though you might not feel like it.
When you have the urge to play something, go do it! (even if you are doing your homework!)
Also try to have as much fun as possible at the piano, play songs you love, write your own songs etc.
and, never quit!
May 2021 Practice Star: Eva!
Teacher: Kate Luo
From Kate: Eva always has a great attitude and is such a hard worker! Not only does she play musically, but she also is very diligent in practicing slowly and accurately. Eva is always a joy and does her best while also being very creative. Her perseverance and consistency is inspiring. Great job, Eva!
Get to know Eva!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I got two “COVID” kitties. One is a black panther named Tycho and the other is a sweet little orange biscuit named Mars.
What do you love about learning music?
Music sounds pretty and learning about it is really fun and interesting. I feel very proud when I learn a new song!
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Part of Your World. This was the first song I learned to play on piano and sing at the same time. I love to sing.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
Belle (opening song from Beauty and the Beast). It’s a great song to sing too!
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Even if you don’t feel like practicing sometimes, just keep doing it. The more you practice, the sooner you get to the fun stuff!
April 2021 Practice Star: Tiberius!
From Patrick: Tiberius is a force of nature in the best way! He shows up to all his lessons enthusiastic and immediately ready to show everyone the amazing practice he did the previous week. Tiberius makes up his own creative songs, and loves to play in both hands, especially if the notes are moving in contrary motion. Keep being awesome, Tiberius!
Get to know Tiberius!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love doing experiments on the piano with songs, playing left hand and right hand together when they move in opposite motion, and transposing!
What do you love about learning music?
I love how quickly it comes to me, and how much fun I have learning new songs!
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Ode to Joy and the first song I learned, Two Black Ants
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I want to learn how to write my own songs!
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Make up your own songs and improv to keep things fun. You can use songs from the book to inspire new music ideas. Also, try playing all the old songs from the book as reminders of what you’ve learned!
March 2021 Practice Star: Molly!
Get to know Molly!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love playing outside on all the playgrounds around San Francisco and one thing I really like to do is climb across all the monkey bars.
What do you love about learning music?
I love learning the new songs each week but also playing different keys to make your own songs up.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
Hot Cross Buns is one of my favorites.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
I really like Jojo Siwa and want to learn how to play “Boomerang”
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Practice 20-30 minutes a day because you actually do get better and more confident.
From Natalie: “Molly just started her music adventure and from the very first lesson she has demonstrated incredible passion for the learning process. She successfully performed during MMS lunch club and worked hard to learn many new songs. At every lesson Molly, enthusiastically and with a smile, shares about her practice process during the week. GREAT JOB, Molly!!!”
February 2021 Practice Star: Georgia!
Get to know Georgia!
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I love to skateboard and I’m good at it!
What do you love about learning music?
You can make your own songs and kinda any song goes! One time I watched that movie “The Greatest Showman” and I was listening to the songs, and then I went to the piano and just started playing some notes and I was able to figure one of them out.
What is your favorite song you have learned so far?
I really liked “This is Not Jingle Bells” and “Russian Sailor Dance” - that one has a really catchy tune.
What is a song you might one day like to learn?
“Willow” by Taylor Swift
If you were to give some advice to a brand new student, what would you say to help them practice?
Practice makes perfect... no, no, practice makes PROGRESS. Because a song is never perfect and there’s always another way you can play it.
From Lizzie: “Georgia begins each and every lesson with a HUGE smile on her face! She is always eager to share what she has learned from her week of practice and loves learning new songs. She is a great listener, has wonderful attention to detail, and even loves taking down her own notes in her notebook during each lesson. Congratulations, Georgia- rock on!”
January 2021 Practice Star: Theo!
December 2020 Practice Star: Eléonore!
November 2020 Practice Stars: Mathilde!
& Julianna!
October 2020 Practice Star: Ali!
September 2020 Practice Stars: Simone & Oscar!
Who is a Practice Star?
For two weeks in a row, the Practice Star:
Fills out their practice log
Practices a minimum of 5 days a week (20-30 min each time)
*this may be slightly less for our younger students*
Completes all theory assignments
Is able to play one of their songs with a metronome (or teacher duet)
Be patient and keep up the hard work - shine on, Practice Star!