We are having a professional photographer come to the studio this Sunday, December 15th at 3:30pm for a   free  Picture Day!   Come in nice clothes (Holiday or otherwise) and  get  a posed picture taken in front of the piano.  Participants will be in the next J.A.M. Newsletter, Facebook, and possibly on the website!  You will also get a free copy of your photos--hope to see you there!

To keep the "Joy" in Joy Academy of Music, we are having a very fun and very unique Haunted House Party at the studio on Thursday, October 31st! We are building a giant maze in the front yard and porch with lots of scary remote-controlled props (some of them I built myself) that will be run by the students!  No gore, all family-friendly, just some good old-fashioned suspenseful fun.  Please stop by (in costume or not) and bring family and friends for fun and candy. Adults and big kids come too--jump in and help us to scare the neighborhood!   Younger kids or anyone who does not want to go in the haunted house can come on the side for free candy. Stop in anytime between 6:30pm to 9:30pm (as soon as trick-or-treaters start coming).  I will also have a keyboard setup outside for some of my students who have learned spooky Halloween-esque songs, so they can provide musical atmosphere!   As it will take most of the day (and most of this week) to build the maze and setup the props, there will be no class on Thursday, October 31st--Hope to see you there!

Joy Academy of Music is having a Spring  Performance to showcase all of the students' hard work and talent at 3:30pm and 5:00pm on Saturday,  June 8th at San Pedro Presbyterian Church (14900 San Pedro; see below for directions).  Bring family and friends and enjoy some great live music in many different styles!   Dress is casual.  PLEASE SHOW UP 15 MINUTES EARLY AND BE SURE TO BRING PAPER MUSIC FOR THE SONG YOU ARE PERFORMING. Even if you are not performing this time around, come on out and hear some new songs to get inspired!    We will be in the big main octagonal building in the "Fellowship Hall".  Park anywhere that isn't covered parking (because that belongs to the office complex next door).   

Each Spring I often get asked these questions:

Q: “How do lessons work in the summer?”
A: The Academy is open year round, and we do not close during the summer.  Lessons in the  summer will be on the same day and time as they were during the year.  If you definitely need a different lesson day or time for the summer, text me and we will find a slot that works. 

Q: “Do a lot of students quit during the summer?”
A: Summer is one of our peak sign up periods! For the past 5 years we have actually grown in enrollment during the summer (4 students just signed up this week!).  Some students withdraw but we get an influx of students looking to secure a teacher before the Fall.  

Q: “If we withdraw for the summer, can we keep our spot for Fall?”
A: Lessons are first come first serve, so if you withdraw for the summer, we cannot guarantee that we will have a spot for you in the Fall, as we will open the spot to new students. Also, if you quit, you have to pay the registration fee to sign up again!  (It takes a long time to deactivate your autopay and your Piano Marvel account, so I have to charge a fee to reinstate your accounts).  

​The latest make up lesson openings for the summer are here!  Make ups are UNLIMITED & good for almost any week, so just tell me the date/day/time and I will reserve it for you! Here are the makeup slots available (please note if they are ONLINE Zoom lessons or IN PERSON lessons at the studio):
 
MAKE UP LESSON OPENINGS
 
Wednesdays
4:20pm (4 IN PERSON slots)
5:00pm (2 ONLINE slots)
7:00pm (1 IN PERSON slot)
7:40pm (2 ONLINE slots)
 
Thursdays
2:40pm (4 IN PERSON slots)
3:20pm (1 ONLINE slot)
4:00pm (1 ONLINE slot)
4:40pm (1 ONLINE slot)
7:40pm (4 IN PERSON slots)
 
Fridays
4:20pm (2 IN PERSON slots)
5:40pm (1 ONLINE slot)
 
Saturdays
9:20am (2 IN PERSON slots)
10:40am (1 IN PERSON slot)
12:00pm (1 ONLINE slot)
2:00pm (3 IN PERSON slots)
2:40pm (1 IN PERSON slot)
 
Let me know which day/date/time you want and I will reserve it for you—see you soon!

Calling all students!   Want to be featured on the Joy Academy of Music website?  Want your picture in the newsletter or on our Facebook page? Then COME TO THE STUDIO THIS SATURDAY AT 2:00pm. A professional photographer is coming to the studio this weekend to take pictures of any student who wants their picture taken.    Come to the Studio on Saturday, December 8th at 2:00pm to get your picture taken. You will not only get to be featured on our website, facebook page and newsletter, but you will also receive a free professional photo!    Dress in holiday attire, dress up, or just come as you are, formal or funny -- anything goes.  Hope to see you then--Enjoy!

Joy Academy of Music is having a Spring Recital at 6:30pm on Sunday, May 20th at San Pedro Presbyterian Church (14900 San Pedro; see below for directions).   Bring family and friends and enjoy some great music in many different styles, as well as the debut performance of the new All Keyboard Rock Band, "Children of the Chord"!   Dress is casual.  PLEASE SHOW UP AT 6:15pm AND BE SURE TO BRING THE MUSIC FOR THE SONG YOU ARE PERFORMING. Even if you are not performing this time around, come on out and hear some new songs to get inspired!    We will be in the big main octagonal building in the "Fellowship Hall".  Park anywhere that isn't covered parking (because that belongs to the office complex next door).   
 
​Here are Google Maps directions to the church:

Sometimes people are confused about whether to take private lessons or group lessons.   The benefits of learning piano in a group are often under estimated. There are many situations where  group lessons are the best option. If you are looking for piano lessons in San Antonio, Joy Academy of Music gives you lots of options to find the perfect music lesson for you. You can weigh, balance, and then decide on your own.

In private piano lessons, the social factor is missing from the scene. Students practice alone, play at lessons alone, and play recitals alone. There is so much more that can be learned while playing piano in a group. There are many activities that take place in group lessons which are impossible to incorporate in private lessons. Learning ensemble pieces can be done only in group classes. Group music classes are often more lively and exciting. Especially if you are a beginner, group lessons are a lot more fun!    Private lessons are usually only best if you are self-motivated and want to learn something very specific, like jazz piano or improvisation for example.  

Motivation to learn is built in to group classes. The students tend to practice more since they do not want to lag behind other students. In private lessons, students progress at their own rate, which is usually slower than in a group.  In group lessons, students progress at the rate of the fastest student. The students also learn the benefits of working as a team.  It is also often less intimidating for students because the class works together and help each other to achieve their musical goals .

Sometimes children and adults quit before they truly learn to play the piano.  The need at such time is to help the beginner learn it the fun way.  I have found that when students have fun, they WANT to practice.  At Joy Academy of Music, kids and adults have fun learning.  Sometimes the social element which comes from group classes is the missing link which helps students to have more fun.  Think of sports.  The reason most people enjoy sports is because of the feeling of comradery   that comes from being a part of something larger than yourself, and working together to achieve a common goal.

Many parents face the problem of their children being too shy to perform in front of other people. Learning in group lessons can help in a great way.   When children learn along other students regularly this shyness and low confidence leaves them as they make progress. They no longer remain timid about playing out loud for people because they do it every week. Brimming with confidence, they learn they can perform in front of others and take pride in showing others what they can do, sharing their love of music.  I truly believe music is a language and as such is meant to be communicated and shared.  Group lessons help students to achieve this goal.

Here's a great show piece  that is fun to play.  When you take piano lessons, you always want to have a few pieces in your repertoire that you can pull out at a moment's notice to impress your friends!  This is a great song by C.P.E. Bach called "Solfeggio".    C.P.E. Bach was the most famous son of J.S. Bach, who had 20 kids!   For more information on  piano or saxophone lessons at the Joy Academy of Music, call (210)268-8373.    Come try a free lesson!

If you’re thinking that enrolling your child in piano lessons in San Antonio would not be worth it, or are having second thoughts as to whether you should continue your child’s piano lessons, then here are 5 reasons why you should consider keeping your child enrolled:

Develop Fine Motor Skills
Playing the piano definitely builds up a child’s coordination and fine motor skills. Hand-eye as well as hand-to-hand and hand-to-foot coordination is practiced through piano lessons. Doing something different with each hand (and your feet!) at the same time uses both sides of the brain and builds and stimulates new neural pathways.  Developing fine motor skills early in life can help with any physical activities you do the rest of your life, as well as stimulating brain activity and development.

Increase Concentration
These days kids have shorter and shorter attention spans because of over-stimulation by technology and the media (TV, laptops, smartphones, tablets, streaming media, etc).  Distractions abound, and children have trouble focusing and sticking with one thing long enough to make any progress with it.   Music is a productive escape that helps kids learn how to focus and make tangible forward progress in pursuing a goal.  The longer you stick with it, the better you become and the fun increases exponentially as you are able to play cooler and cooler pieces.  Once you pay your dues and learn to read music like reading a book, practice sessions cease to feel like work and just become jam sessions at home!    

Raises Self Esteem
Life at school can be very challenging for kids!  The peer pressure of trying to fit in and yet feel special, different or "cool" can be overwhelming.   Anything that kids can do that helps them stand out from the herd or makes them feel special or talented is an  emotional and social boon can give them wings and help them to soar.  Music is a great skill to have because it is one they can share with their friends.  Showing off a new piece, playing with a rock band , making a YouTube video or DVD they can share with friends and family on social media, helps kids to feel proud of their accomplishments and gives them a strong sense of belonging to something greater than themselves.  
  
Improves Academic Performance
Another thing children’s piano lessons imbue on kids is a strict sense of discipline. Kids who play the piano understand that their playing won’t improve unless they study and practice everyday. As such they also understand that hard work must be put into something in order to reap benefits. Kids who take piano lessons also learn to think creatively and critically. All these are applied in school, giving kids taking piano lessons an edge.  Scientific studies have proven that music helps with math skills, spacial relations, and many other whole brain skills that help kids academically.

Allows Kids to be Well Rounded
A child may study the piano for a short period of time. Some might stick with it and continue to make a career out of it. Regardless, those who took piano lessons are known to be more well rounded, especially in this day and age, as they tend to develop an appreciation for all types of music and art. The knowledge and skills they learn from the piano can also be easily transferred to another musical instrument.  

The Joy Academy of Music is the San Antonio area's premier place for piano lessons.

Children and adults (ages 4 to 104!) from beginners to the most advanced are welcome at our state-of-the-art studio where they can develop their passion for  music

Give us a call at (210) 268-8373 and we can tell you how to get started today!