Category: Newsletter

Summer break! Lessons will resume August 1st. Unless you have talked with me about changes, I will plan to see you at your same day and time. Please be ready to play games with two of your pieces that you know well. You can play your Flag Day program piece and/or your recital piece or whatever you love!

Flag Day program will entertain at Aspire Senior Living, 1003 Meadowlark Lane, Saturday, June 10th 10:30 a.m. with patriotic numbers, piano solos and duets, trumpet and saxophone.

Summer break June 15 to August 1. Current students can retain their time/day slot. Let me know by July 1st if you are not returning.

Thank you to all who supported the students at the spring recital. It was great to see former students, parents, relatives and friends. Thanks to Courtney Cole who provided the slides to introduce the student’s selections; to Cheryl Faulkner who distributed and collected the Compliment cards and helped with presenting ribbons, trophies, lanyards, badges and certificates and Jason Cole who took pictures of each student performing. Thanks to the students who made me proud; you gave an outstanding performance.

We are preparing for our Spring Recital! It is Friday, May 26 at First United Methodist Church, 1650 Rainbow Blvd. in Excelsior Springs. All are welcome and there is no cost. Students will dress up and perform from memory. Invitations are available now.

We are working on awards to be presented at the recital, recognizing notes, executing correct rhythm, identifying music symbols, playing scales, chords and their inversions and perfecting our performance piece.

We are presenting a “Flag Day” program for the residents of Aspire Senior Living on Saturday, June 10th. Many students are performing patriotic numbers (with music) and their recital pieces can also be chosen.

Summer break is June 15th to August 1st. Tuition for June is one-half and no tuition in July. If you are not returning in August, please let me know during summer break.

Reminder: Piano exams May 15th, invitations available for the recital any time, awards, ribbons and trophies at the recital, compliment cards lesson following, Flag Day program June 10th.

Piano exams Monday, May 15th, 2:45-6:00 in the studio. Please copy the pieces you are performing and turn in by May 1st. Parents received schedules mid-March. E-mail me if you have questions.

Recital invitations available at exams and also during lessons. Piano recital Friday, May 26th at First Methodist Church, 6:30 p.m. with ribbons, awards and trophies presented. Compliment cards May 30-June 1st at lessons.

Program presented to residents of Aspire Senior Living Saturday, June 10th 10:30 a.m. Memorization not needed for this program.

Summer break will be June 15-August 1st. Tuition for June is half the fee.

Contact me at dorothy.mullikin@sbcglobal.net or 816-637-3507

Lessons available every week including Spring Break. Please let me know if you will not be coming. Deadline for payment for piano exams is March 15th. Fee for the adjudicator is $16 for 15 minutes; $32 for 30 minutes. This is not a requirement, rather something offered if you wish to participate.

Allie Vassmer had 8 perfect worksheets for January/February. That’s every single week they were right! Congrats, Allie!! In second place is Jacob Andreasen with 6 perfect.

Calendar for piano students: Payment for exams due by March 15th Piano exams Monday, May 15, 2:45 to 6:00 in the studio Recital, Friday, May 26th, First Methodist Church, 6:30 p.m. Compliment cards May 30-June 1st Program at Aspire Senior Living possibly Saturday June 10, 10:30 a.m. Summer break June 15 – August 1st

Contact Ms. Dorothy at 816-637-3507 or dorothy.mullikin@sbcglobal.net

Piano lessons are available at your regular time throughout January and February. Should the weather be inclement, please call to reschedule on Skype or FaceTime. I have a new internet provider which will improve the sound. Please give me all the notice you can as the stairs are a challenge.

Students achieving the most success with December worksheets will be acknowledged next week on my blog, facebook and e-mail.

This month we are focusing on dynamics, building chords and mastering key signatures – for those who are not a new student!

Parents, look for a note from me on blue paper in the student’s music bag.

Happy New Year!

Contact me at dorothy.mullikin@sbcglobal.net or phone 816-637-3507.

Our Christmas program will be presented Saturday, December 10th to the residents of Aspire Senior Living, 1003 Mockingbird Lane at 10:30 a.m. Courtney Cole is our narrator and we have a special guest harpist, Brooke Chapman. Music of Christmas includes characters such as the Drummer Boy, the Grinch, Rudolph and the Sugar Plum Fairy; in addition to many carols and songs.

Our winter break will be from December 24th through January 1st.

Outstanding worksheets for fall were completed perfectly by Allie Vassmer, Gianna Maney and Champion Tribble.

Inclement weather: school cancelled because of cold – yes, there are lessons Ice on roads – call if you can’t come; you can send a recording or we can do FaceTime or we can reschedule if possible. Snow – my street and hill are usually the second one in town cleared; check with me if in question.

Phone 816-637-3507; E-mail dorothy.mullikin@sbcglobal.net

Merry Christmas! I am thankful for my students and their parents!

Thank you parents and students for the fun program at Aspire last Saturday. Thanks to those taking pictures – see my website www.dorothyspianostudio.com for some of them. A huge thank-you to those who helped with dressing the performers to match their piece!

Our next program will be a medley of traditional Christmas songs and carols that will bring happy memories for the residents. It will be December 10th at 10:30 a.m. at Aspire Senior Living. No memorizing needed; dress in holiday colors.

Thanksgiving break will be November 24th-26th. If you will not be coming on the 22nd or 23rd, please let me know in advance.

Happy Fall! We are excitedly planning our program for Aspire Senior Living for Saturday, October 29th at 10:30 a.m. Students have chosen fun fall songs and dressing appropriately. We will give lots of smiles and giggles to our audience!

Aspire Senior Living is located at 1003 Meadowlark Lane in Excelsior Springs. There will be a section of seats near the front for those performing so that they will not be walking near the residents. There is exactly the number of chairs for the performers; parents and other guests, please do not sit in that area.

New Christmas piano books will be available this month. You are welcome to play from one of the books given away last April or choose a new one for your piano library. The price is on the front of the book; please remit promptly.

We will not observe any holidays during October. Tuition is due now. E-mail: dorothy.mullikin@ sbcglobal.net Phone: 816-637-3507

Outstanding worksheets this summer were completed by Evelynn Stewart (11), Charlie Edwards (9) and Champion Tribble (9). All work that is perfect is displayed on the studio wall each week. Congrats to these 3 winners!

I attended and participated in an online class this month on student problems and solutions, finger dexterity and coordination and new music for all ages of students including rote and lead sheets.

We are working on our music to be presented Saturday, October 29th at 10:30 a.m. at Aspire Nursing and Rehab. Its going to be so much fun for everyone! We are already working on costumes and activities!

Contact me at dorothy.mullikin@sbcglobal.net or phone 816-637-3507