Past articles & studio news

Blog & resources

Musical discoveries, ideas, and announcements from our original website. Event and program announcements are preserved as part of the archive.

Getting started
What is the best age to start singing lessons?
Starting singing lessons at the right age can have a big impact on a person’s vocal development and overall singing ability. So, what is the…
January 29, 2023
Past announcements
Festival Information: 2017
Here you’ll find all the information you’ll need for the 2017 Festival! The link below will give you all the basic information, due dates, fees…
November 2, 2016
Getting started
Music Lessons for 3 – 4 year olds?
Parents want the best for the children, and that means exposing them to all different kinds of activities. Many are interested in music lessons…
September 14, 2015
Learning & resources
Treating ADHD with Music!
As a former teacher of underprivileged kids in an urban area, I’ve had many encounters with various behavioral, developmental and learning…
December 4, 2014
Past announcements
Music Essay Contest: WIN MONEY!
Any student in grades 7-12 have a chance to win some money by writing an essay about something they love already: Music! There are two groups…
November 30, 2014
Learning & resources
Playing an Instrument Benefits your Brain!
When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity…
November 7, 2014
Learning & resources
How To Make Your Kids Smarter: 10 Steps Backed By Science
What makes children — from babies up through the teen years — smarter? Here are 10 things science says can help: Music Lessons – Tops the list!…
October 21, 2014
Learning & resources
Musical Training Offsets Academic Achievement Gaps!
Learning to play a musical instrument or to sing can help disadvantaged children strengthen their reading and language skills , according to…
October 17, 2014
Practice
Does Practice Make Perfect?
Case Western Reserve University’s new assistant professor of psychology Brooke N. Macnamara, PhD, and colleagues have overturned a 20-year-old…
October 9, 2014
Learning & resources
Full Body Work-out for your Brain!
“When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity…
August 26, 2014
For parents
The After School Attitude!
I ran across this article on Facebook and noticed the comments from parents before even reading it. They were mostly the same – “Thank you for…
August 25, 2014
Learning & resources
Learn more songs on guitar & ukulele!
If you don’t know about this already, it’s time you check it out: RiffStation Beta! Basically it’s a site that allows you to very quickly and…
July 23, 2014
For parents
11 Facts About Music Education You NEED to Know!
Children who study music tend to have larger vocabularies and more advanced reading skills than their peers who do not participate in music…
March 5, 2014
Practice
Metronomes: You need one!
A metronome is a must-have tool for any level musician. If you don’t have a metronome already, now is the time to get one! A student of mine…
February 28, 2014
Learning & resources
Access Walt Disney’s Audition Schedule
Want to try out for a part, role or performance? Access Disney’s online audition schedule to find out when and where auditions are held. Website…
February 28, 2014
Sheet music
Christmas Sheet Music Free: Guitar
Browse the list for Tabs and Chord Christmas Songs for Guitar! Jingle Bells – TAB Jingle Bells – Chords Away in a Manger – Easy/TAB God Rest Ye…
December 6, 2013
Sheet music
Christmas Sheet Music Free! – Strings
Violin Oh Come All Ye Faithful Away in a Manger We Three Kings Silent Night Joy to the World Up on the Housetop The Holly and the Ivy Cello God…
December 6, 2013
Sheet music
Free Hanukkah Sheet Music: Piano
Here are a few selections of sheet music for Hanukkah. Enjoy! I have a Little Driedle – Primer Level Hanukkah, Hanukkah – Level 2 Ner Li/ I have…
December 6, 2013
Learning & resources
Music Lovers Holidays: Gift Giving Guide
Of course you can give the gift of music lessons, or give someone a new guitar for the Holidays, but what else is out there? A LOT. Take a look…
December 6, 2013
Sheet music
Christmas Sheet Music: Winds
Scroll down to find your instrument and then choose your favorite Christmas Carols! Clarinet Good King Wenceslas Joy to The World Jingle Bells –…
December 6, 2013
Learning & resources
It’s finally Live! Kids Music Flash Cards on iTunes & Android
The kids flash card app has already made its debut in the Google Play store, but now it’s also available in iTunes! This app has been designed…
October 29, 2013
Learning & resources
Music Lovers Halloween: Music & Pumpkins
If you want to be a little creative with your pumpkin carving this year, look no further! Try carving with a little musical influence! I’ve seen…
October 29, 2013
Learning & resources
Music, Children and Brain Development
This article is incredibly interesting… Please read! Recently in my behavioral pediatrics practice I saw James, a 5-year-old boy (details, as…
October 23, 2013
Past announcements
Meet Amy: Best Violin Teacher in Town!
Starting this September, EFMusic is offering violin lessons along with viola and cello lessons with the very awesome and talented, Amy Marbut!…
September 1, 2013
Learning & resources
Summer “Playing” List! (Piano)
Summer can be hectic, and some of us choose to take a few activities off our plate, but that doesn’t mean you should stop playing! Instead of…
June 25, 2013
Learning & resources
Find Nearby Concerts on your Smart Phone!!
Hey all you music lovers! Today I came across a really great free APP that will show you what concerts are happening in your area! Bandsintown…
June 25, 2013
Learning & resources
Christmas Background Tracks for Vocalists!
Scroll down to view the videos for popular Christmas tunes. It took some time, but I filtered through the garbage out there and found he…
June 6, 2013
Music to explore
Ji-Hae Park: The violin, and my dark night of the soul
Want to be inspired? Watch this video of violinist Ji-Hae Park, who explains a full and happy life cannot come from the goal to reach “fame &…
May 24, 2013
Music to explore
Music Helps Children Master Fractions!
In California, an innovative curriculum using rhythm in music has been developed to help children learn fractions in elementary school. As you…
April 19, 2013
Getting started
Piano vs. Keyboard: What’s best for you?
People need to know what to look for when buying an instrument, but first things first. How do you know if you should get a piano or keyboard??…
March 10, 2013
Learning & resources
Introduction to Guitar: Free Course from Berklee College of Music Professor
This is just awesome. As you know, I teach a lot of instruments, but no strings. With guitar, you can really learn quite a bit on your own and…
March 10, 2013
Learning & resources
Music Note Shoes for a Good Cause!
I’ve seen lots of music apparel and jewelry in my day, but I don’t remember running across a pair of shoes before! A student of mine recently…
March 10, 2013
Learning & resources
Digital Flashcards! And they’re actually good!
I’ve worked with so many different people spanning the ages of 3 to 70. No matter who I teach, every one of my students will find success…
February 2, 2013
Learning & resources
STOP!!! and hear the music….Seriously.
If you had the chance, would you stop and take a minute from your busy life and listen to one of the absolute best musicians in the world? Most…
February 2, 2013
Learning & resources
Music: The New Medicine for the Brain!
A 60 year old public speaking coach was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. She started by developing leg spasms, but in the end it led to a serious…
February 2, 2013
Music to explore
The Audience is the Instrument at the World Science Festival
Watch Bobby McFerrin use his audience as the instrument! No matter where in the world he has tried this interactive audience experiment, the…
January 15, 2013
Music to explore
Practicing Music for Only Few Years in Childhood Helps Improve Adult Brain!!
A little music training in childhood goes a long way in improving how the brain functions in adulthood when it comes to listening and the…
January 15, 2013
Sheet music
Free Sheet Music Online
Finding free music to download or print from the Internet can get a little tricky. Searches often lead you to sites that are so hard to…
November 8, 2012
Music to explore
Music Makes You Smarter
Children who study a musical instrument for at least three years outperform children with no instrumental training on non-musical tests of…
May 27, 2012