July 11, 2025 (Lesson 1 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜❤️

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

💚Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 6: pages 1-4

🖤Rhythms

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, List A)

  1. Tune in with your body first - shoulders down and relaxed.

  2. See the new colored markings corresponding to the NFPER at the top of the page.

  3. We’ll start to speed-build next time.

💚RCM Technical Requirements: Level 1

  1. Review items on page 5 and practice the new ones on page 6 (purple box)

❤️Dustin bring or upload the new music below

💜This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Keep working on this for Wednesday.

💜Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Review with and without music, once per week.

  2. Have one focus from NFPER

  3. Record yourself in Newzik

  4. Listen back and mark the music and correct anything.

💜Four Star 01_01

  1. Prepare Set 1

💜Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

  1. Do the color-focused practice.

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

June 28, 2025 (Lesson 8 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

💛Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 5, pages 53-58

🖤Rhythms

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, List A)

  1. See the instructions above for color-focus practice. You already did this at the lesson so go straight to the “spot” portion of the practice and fix the rhythm and expression this week.

💜RCM Technical Requirements: Level 1

  1. Study Page 3 of the PDF

  2. Prepare A Harmonic Minor and G Major on page 5 of the PDF

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Do the color-focused practice

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Review with and without music, once per week.

  2. Have one focus from NFPER

  3. Record yourself in Newzik

  4. Listen back and mark the music and correct anything.

💚Four Star 01_01

  1. Prepare Set 1

💚Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

  1. Do the color-focused practice.

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

June 20, 2025 (Lesson 7 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜❤️💚💜

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

🎨 Color-Focus Practice (NFPER)

At the top of your music, write NFPER using the following color system:

  • N – Notes – correct pitches and accidentals (🟦 Blue)

  • F – Fingering – consistent, effective finger choices (🟧 Orange)

  • P – Position – hand shape, posture, and keyboard geography (🟪 Purple)

  • E – Expression – phrasing, dynamics, articulation, tone, etc. (🟩 Green)

  • R – Rhythm – steady pulse, accurate timing, and rests (🟥 Red)

✅ If you're only recording audio, just use NER.

Step-by-Step Practice Flow

  1. Record your section once — video is best, but audio is fine too.

  2. Listen back with one color/goal in mind.

  3. As you listen, mark your music using that color anywhere it needs improvement.

  4. Repeat for each remaining color, one at a time, until all five have been addressed.

  5. Choose a small “spot” section from your markings — just a few measures or a tricky passage.

“Spot” until it’s solid — meaning:

  • ✅ 3 times in a row correctly, or

  • ✅ 5 total correct repetitions, then move on.

  1. Focus on one or two colors at a time while practicing that spot.

  2. Use the troubleshooting checklist below if you're stuck.

🔧 Troubleshooting Tips

🎯 If you’ve tried to fix something three times in-a-row and it’s still not working, don’t just repeat it — troubleshoot:

  • Do you need to slow down?

  • Should you practice hands alone?

  • Could you make the spot even smaller?

  • Would technical exercises help (staccato, accents, etc.)?

  • Do you need to think ahead more clearly?💛Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 5, pages 53-58

🖤Rhythms

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, List A)

  1. Notes✅

  2. Fingering💛

    1. Careful of mm. 18-20 RH.

  3. Position

    1. Be careful of pushing to long into the keys after you play them. Think - keep wrist in-motion and come off the keys sooner (this is for LH chords).

  4. Expression💛

  5. Rhythm💛

    1. Don’t worry about practicing with a steady beat.

💚RCM Technical Requirements: Level 1

  1. Study Page 3 of the PDF

  2. Prepare A Harmonic Minor and G Major on page 5 of the PDF

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Notes✅

  2. Fingering✅

  3. Position✅

  4. Expression💛

    1. Focus more on softs and accents

  5. Rhythm✅

    1. Practice with m.m. 80 and 86

💜💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Review with and without music, once per week.

💜💚Four Star 01_00_02

  1. Prepare Review Set 2

  2. Please remember to play legato when there is a slur in your sight-reading examples.

💚Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

  1. Memorize the acronym NFPER

    1. Notes✅

    2. Fingering✅

    3. Position✅

    4. Expression💛

      1. Measures 5-6

        1. RH - strong melody

        2. LH - quiet

        3. HT - play as above.

        4. Repeat three times.

    5. Rhythm💛

      1. Measure 1:

        1. Hands in lap

        2. tap one measure of the beat

        3. ta 8th notes

        4. Then play. Remember no swing for the first two 8ths.

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

June 13, 2025 (Lesson 6 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

💜💚Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 5, pages 1-4

🖤Rhythms

💚German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, List A)

  1. What is the key signature (scale of two sharps)?

  2. What is the time signature?

  3. Follow the practice video in Newzik for your assignment!

💜💚RCM Technical Requirements: Level 1

  1. Study Page 3 of the PDF

  2. Prepare A Harmonic Minor and G Major on page 5 of the PDF

💜💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Notes✅

  2. Fingering✅

  3. Position✅

    1. So much better! No sliding! Yay.

  4. Expression💛

    1. Focus on dynamics in measure 1, 5, 13, 21, and 23

  5. Rhythm💛

    1. Record yourself playing with m.m. 60

    2. Listen back and highlight any areas in which you stray from the beat.

    3. “Spot” those sections three to five times in one week.

  6. Resume practice on this so that position is priority and get the notes back in your fingers.

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Review with and without music, once per week.

💚Four Star 01_00_02

  1. Prepare Review Set 2

  2. Please remember to play legato when there is a slur in your sight-reading examples.

💜💚Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

  1. Memorize the acronym NFPER

    1. Notes✅

    2. Fingering✅

    3. Position✅

    4. Expression💛

      1. Let’s hear a difference between the mf and the f in measures 1 and 5.

      2. When you play “forte,” immediately stop pushing into the keyboard but you can still keep the note down if needed.

    5. Rhythm💛

      1. You identified sections that need work by recording yourself with the metronome, then listening back with the goal of highlighting any problem areas.

      2. Then practice them hands alone and together with metronome (no faster than m.m. 60).

      3. Isolate BEAT 1 of measure 4 to teach your muscles how to lift in the LH and hold in the RH.

      4. Then add Beats 1 and 2

      5. Then the whole section!

      6. Work on measures 6 and 7 in the same manner if needed.

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

June 7, 2025 (Lesson 5 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

💚Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 5, pages 1-4

🖤Rhythms

💜German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, List A)

  1. Start with Dustin next lesson

💚RCM Technical Requirements: Level 1

  1. Study Page 3 of the PDF

  2. Prepare A Harmonic Minor and G Major on page 5 of the PDF

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Notes✅

  2. Fingering✅

  3. Position✅

    1. So much better! No sliding! Yay.

  4. Expression💛

    1. Focus on dynamics in measure 1, 5, 13, 21, and 23

  5. Rhythm💛

    1. Record yourself playing with m.m. 60

    2. Listen back and highlight any areas in which you stray from the beat.

    3. “Spot” those sections three to five times in one week.

  6. Resume practice on this so that position is priority and get the notes back in your fingers.

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Review with and without music, once per week.

❤️Four Star 01_00_01

Prepare Review Set 1

💚Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

  1. Memorize the acronym NFPER

    1. Notes✅

    2. Fingering✅

    3. Position✅

    4. Expression💛

      1. Let’s hear a difference between the mf and the f in measures 1 and 5.

      2. When you play “forte,” immediately stop pushing into the keyboard but you can still keep the note down if needed.

    5. Rhythm💛

      1. You identified sections that need work by recording yourself with the metronome, then listening back with the goal of highlighting any problem areas.

      2. Then practice them hands alone and together with metronome (no faster than m.m. 60).

      3. Isolate BEAT 1 of measure 4 to teach your muscles how to lift in the LH and hold in the RH.

      4. Then add Beats 1 and 2

      5. Then the whole section!

      6. Work on measures 6 and 7 in the same manner if needed.

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

May 23, 2025 (Lesson 4 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜❤️💚💚💜

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

💚Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 5, pages 1-4

🖤Rhythms

💚RCM Technical Requirements: Level 1

  1. Study Page 2 of the PDF

  2. Prepare C Major and A Minor Natural on page 5 of the PDF

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. 💛Try your best to “plant” the fingers on the keys after you play them. You’re sometimes “pulling” or sliding toward your body on the keys. Special moments like this occur in measures 6 and 10

  2. Resume practice on this so that position is priority and get the notes back in your fingers.

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (b. 1864) (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Review with and without music, once per week.

💚Four Star 01_00_01

Prepare Review Set 1

💚Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

  1. See the video inside Newzik

  2. Learn hands alone measures 1-8

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

German Dance in D Major Hob. IX:22, no. 2 by Franz Jospeh Haydn (1732-1809) (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

May 23, 2025 (Lesson 3 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜💚✅

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

Three for the exam

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  1. listen to the audio and expression at the end. 5 x per day.

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

  1. dynamics and tell the story of your new shoes!

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

  1. Dynamics

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. Review until after April 27th.

💚Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

Rotate through everythig. Five min a day.

Focus on hand position, round fingerins.

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Measures 13-20: focus on round fingers - bubble hand. Fix fingering.

  2. Dynamics - ideally softer when it says p

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Pedal change between the last two measures. Make it smooth!

  2. With and without music, one line at a time.

💛Musicianship / Four Star

Prepare Set 6 & 7

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

💛SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 64, Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

May 10, 2025 (Lesson 2 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  1. Focus on expression.

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

  1. Focus on expression.

💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

  1. Focus on expression.

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. Review until after April 27th.

💚Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

Rotate through everythig. Five min a day.

Focus on hand position, round fingerins.

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Measures 13-20: focus on round fingers - bubble hand. Fix fingering.

  2. Dynamics - ideally softer when it says p

💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Pedal change between the last two measures. Make it smooth!

  2. With and without music, one line at a time.

💛Musicianship / Four Star

Prepare Set 6 & 7

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

💛SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 64, Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

April 25, 2025 (Lesson 1 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

Recital 🎹💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  1. Speed-building

    1. Practice the entire piece (or in chunks if needed) at m.m. 63, 66, 69, 72, and 76

  2. Come off the keys and pedal gradually at the end of the piece.

READ AFTER YOU PLAY

Christopher Norton is known for blending classical technique with popular and jazz styles, creating music that's both sophisticated and approachable. 

A Summer Day captures the gentle warmth and easy rhythm of a quiet afternoon — relaxed, melodic, and just a little nostalgic.

Recital 🎹💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Pedal change between the last two measures. Make it smooth!

  2. With and without music, one line at a time.

READ AFTER YOU PLAY

This story begins as a peaceful day on the lake — still water and soft light. You dive in, but something moves beneath you!!! A shimmering angelfish appears — it’s graceful, but maybe not so friendly… Just as it circles closer, a mermaid appears and plays a haunting melody that sends the angelfish fleeing!!! She leads you to an ancient underwater kingdom… until everything blurs, and then suddenly, you wake up - unsure if it was all just a dream.

Recital 🎹💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

  1. measures 1-8, 8-16, 16-21, 21-End

    1. With and without music, two times each.

  2. ❤️Don’t rush in the last two measures of the piece.

  3. Practice 9-13 and 25-28 back to back. With and without the music.

READ AFTER YOU PLAY

Tchaikovsky wrote his Album for the Young to give children music that was both beautiful and educational. The “Italian Song” is light and lyrical, capturing the sound of folk music from a distant land.

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. Review until after April 27th.

💜Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

contrary motion - keep wrists up on finger 1.

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Measure three: see the two practice videos.

  2. See the new audio in Newzik for measure 13 practice.

💛Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 6

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

Sightplaying:

💛SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 64, Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

Memorize.

Keep steady beat at the end!

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

April 18, 2025 (Lesson 8 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

Recital 🎹💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

  1. measures 1-8, 8-16, 16-21, 21-End

    1. With and without music, two times each.

  2. ❤️Don’t rush in the last two measures of the piece.

  3. Practice 9-13 and 25-28 back to back. With and without the music.

Recital 🎹💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

  1. Pedal change between the last two measures. Make it smooth!

  2. With and without music, one line at a time.

Recital 🎹💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  1. Speed-building

    1. Practice the entire piece (or in chunks if needed) at m.m. 63, 66, 69, 72, and 76

  2. Come off the keys and pedal gradually at the end of the piece.

💜Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. Review until after April 27th.

💜Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

contrary motion - keep wrists up on finger 1.

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Measure three: see the two practice videos.

💛Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 6

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

Sightplaying:

💛SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 64, Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

Memorize.

Keep steady beat at the end!

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

April 12, 2025 (Lesson 7 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛💜

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

Recital 🎹💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

  1. Please don’t rush the half notes in measures 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24

  2. Don’t rush in the last two measures of the piece.

  3. Practice starting from any measure of the piece (three times per practice session)

Recital BLURB - Revise or memorize:

Kevin Olson writes music for students that sounds like a movie soundtrack — dramatic, intense, and fun to play. “Raptors” is all about big birds of prey, and the music captures their power and sharp movement with bold rhythms and soaring melodies.

Recital 🎹💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

  1. See the new video inside Newzik for the last measure of the piece.

  2. 💛Hold all half notes for their full value. (5, 10 and 14)

  3. 💛Measure 7 - don’t speed up past the original tempo

  4. 💛Gradually come off the keys with hands and foot at the end of the piece

  5. Lest measure of the piece: RH rolled chord - keep wrist down until the last note of the rolled chord and keep fingers round.

  6. Practice starting from any measure of the piece (three times per practice session)

Recital BLURB - Revise or memorize:

“Far Away” feels like a memory. Teresa Richert’s music often explores moods and places, and this one captures distance — not just physically, but emotionally. It’s soft, slow, and full of feeling.

Recital 🎹💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  1. Speed-building

    1. Practice the entire piece (or in chunks if needed) at m.m. 63, 66, 69, 72, and 76

  2. Come off the keys and pedal gradually at the end of the piece.

Recital BLURB - Revise or memorize:

Barbara Arens is a German composer who loves nature and imagination. This piece captures the elegance of dolphins jumping through ocean waves. It’s playful, but calm— you can almost see the splashes.

💚Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. Review until after April 27th.

💚Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

contrary motion - keep wrists up on finger 1.

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

  1. Measure three: see the two practice videos.

💛Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 6

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

Sightplaying:

💛SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 64, Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

Memorize.

Keep steady beat at the end!

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

April 9, 2025 (Lesson 6 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚💛

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

Recital 🎹💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

  1. Please don’t rush the half notes in measures 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24

  2. Don’t rush in the last two measures of the piece.

  3. Practice starting from any measure of the piece (three times per practice session)

Recital BLURB - Revise or memorize:

Kevin Olson writes music for students that sounds like a movie soundtrack — dramatic, intense, and fun to play. “Raptors” is all about big birds of prey, and the music captures their power and sharp movement with bold rhythms and soaring melodies.

Recital 🎹💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

  1. See the new video inside Newzik for the last measure of the piece.

  2. 💛Hold all half notes for their full value. (5, 10 and 14)

  3. 💛Measure 7 - don’t speed up past the original tempo

  4. 💛Gradually come off the keys with hands and foot at the end of the piece

  5. Practice starting from any measure of the piece (three times per practice session)

Recital BLURB - Revise or memorize:

“Far Away” feels like a memory. Teresa Richert’s music often explores moods and places, and this one captures distance — not just physically, but emotionally. It’s soft, slow, and full of feeling.

Recital 🎹💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  1. Speed-building

    1. Practice the entire piece (or in chunks if needed) at m.m. 63, 66, 69, 72, and 76

  2. Come off the keys and pedal gradually at the end of the piece.

Recital BLURB - Revise or memorize:

Barbara Arens is a German composer who loves nature and imagination. This piece captures the elegance of dolphins jumping through ocean waves. It’s playful, but calm— you can almost see the splashes.

💚Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. Review until after April 27th.

💚Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

contrary motion - keep wrists up on finger 1.

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

💚Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 6

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

Sightplaying:

💛SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 64, Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

Memorize.

Keep steady beat at the end!

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

March 22, 2025 (Lesson 5 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

💚This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

🎹#1💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

  1. See orange markings.

  2. ❤️Come up with a short story about this piece so we can read it in the recital.

  3. Measure 6 - hold the fermata longer

  4. Hold all half notes for their full value. (5, 6, 10 and 14)

  5. Measure 7 - don’t speed up past the original tempo

  6. Gradually come off the keys with hands and foot at the end of the piece

🎹#1💚Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. “Right Left I don’t want to do this exercises”

    1. Slowly playing RH with strength, then LH with soft dynamic. Gradually move them closer together until they are playing together.

#2💚Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

contrary motion - keep wrists up on finger 1.

#3💚Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 6

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

Sightplaying:

#4💛SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 64, Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

#5💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

Memorize.

Keep steady beat at the end!

🎹#6💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

Measures 28-29 - drop into the keys (LH) from above the keyboard.

When you have two-note slurs, drop the wrist into the first note and pop the wrist on the second (6, 10, 22 and 26)

Fix RH fingering in m. 11

🎹#7💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

Review for the recital

Come off the keys and pedal gradually at the end of the piece.

The third beat of each measure is often cut short. When you get to beat three, count “three and”

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

March 22, 2025 (Lesson 4 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛💛💚

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

🎹#1😎💚Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

  1. See orange markings.

  2. Come up with a short story about this piece so we can read it in the recital.

🎹#1💚Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. “Right Left I don’t want to do this exercises”

    1. Slowly playing RH with strength, then LH with soft dynamic. Gradually move them closer together until they are playing together.

#2💚Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

contrary motion - keep wrists up on finger 1.

#3💚Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 6

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

Sightplaying:

#4💜SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 64, Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

#5💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

Steady beat from measures 13 to the end.

🎹#6💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

Both feet flat on the floor

When you have two-note slurs, drop the wrist into the first note and pop the wrist on the second (6, 10, 22 and 26)

Fix RH fingering in m. 11

🎹#7💚Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

Review for the recital

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

March 15, 2025 (Lesson 3 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

💜Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

#1💚Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. “Right Left I don’t want to do this exercises”

    1. Slowly playing RH with strength, then LH with soft dynamic. Gradually move them closer together until they are playing together.

#2💚Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

Remember in First inversion RH use finger 2 for broken chors.

#3💚Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 5

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

Sightplaying:

#4💚SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 55, Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

#5💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

I added dynamics markings in orange

LH crescendo / decrescendo only

mm. 9-12, no faster than m.m. 50 - focus on RH quiet.

#6💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

Practice with m.m. 144

Any other time you come off the keys after playing staccato, keep the arms in-motion “noodle arms”

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

March 1, 2025 (Lesson 2 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

Minuet in D Major by Leopold Mozart (L. 1, List A)

Ukrainian Folk Song, Op. 107, No. 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven (L. 1, List A)

Lunar Eclipse by Nancy & Randall Faber (L. 1,, B)

This Guy’s Disguised by Bradley Sowash (L. 1, B)

Mary Had a Little Lamb by English nursery rhyme arr. Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (L. 1, C)

Melody in F Major op. 218, no. 36 by Christian Louis Heinrich Kohler (L. 1, Etude)

Far Away by Teresa Richert (L. 1 Etude)

#1💚Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. See the new markings in the music.

  2. Use the metronome now and don’t play faster than 72 per quarter note.

  3. System three: RH 8th notes - try not to let any note stick out above the other. Keep firm fingertips and use your wrist to move from one note to the other.

#2💚Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

Remember in First inversion RH use finger 2 for broken chors.

#3💜Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 5

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

#4💜SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 33., Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

#5💜New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

Measures 3 and 7: RH poke the keys from above the keyboard. When you play beat 4 (5th finger in RH) create a stick finger so you don’t being the balance of the hand to the right.

#6💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

Measure 19: “moon walk” “rainbow wrists”

Any other time you come off the keys after playing staccato, keep the arms in-motion “noodle arms”

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

February 21, 2025 (Lesson 1 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚💚💛

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

💜we will choose our favorite pieces from the lists we created at the lesson for Level 1 repertoire and etudes. The short list is found in the comment section of your last lesson

#1💚Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. See the new markings in the music.

  2. Use the metronome now and don’t play faster than 60 per quarter note.

#2💜Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

#3💚Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 5

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

#4💜SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 33., Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

#5💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

Measures 3 and 7: RH poke the keys from above the keyboard. When you play beat 4 (5th finger in RH) create a stick finger so you don’t being the balance of the hand to the right.

#6💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

This has been added to Newzik

See the video in Newzik under the media button for instructions.

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. Curious Cat

  4. Marching by Kabalevsky

February 15, 2025 (Lesson 8 of 8)

Lesson Assignments

Focus Tracker: 💚

❤️= 4 POINTS

💚= 3 POINTS

💛= 2 POINTS

💜= 1 POINT

🖤= 0 POINTS

#1🖤Theory Level 1

Prepare Unit 4

#2🖤Rhythms

Compose No. 36

Use quarter notes and rests.

Use ties

Use half notes.

Use dotted half note

#1💚Looking-Glass River by Nancy & Randall Faber (Prep. B)

  1. Measures 3, 7, 15: keep wrist up when you play your thumb (red highlights)

  2. Continue to work on removing the pause between measures 1-2, 4-5, and 13-14 (yellow)

#2💚Royal Conservatory of Music Technique: Prep Level B

See the blue highlights and new video for broken chords

#3💚Four Star Prep B

Prepare Set 4

Clapback: Practice with the tests

Playbacks: Identify tonic or mediant and the movement of two notes.

#4💜SIGHT-READING Level 1

Do at least 1 per day.

Continue from page 33., Start the metronome to hear a steady beat, then you can turn it off (66 per quarter note).

#5💚New Shoes by Linda Niamath (Prep B)

Review with your music once per practice session

#6💚Raptors by Kevin Olson (Prep. B)

Measures 6, 10, 22, and 26: Drop the wrist so that its position is below the white keys, and pop up at the end of the slur.

Lear the rest of the piece!

REVIEW LIST

Review the pieces on this list, with your music, one time each week.

  1. The Lively Boy (Prep A)

  2. Leaping the Waves with Dolphins (Prep B)

  3. The Haunted Mouse

  4. Curious Cat

  5. Marching by Kabalevsky