Young Performer Awards
YPA is back, by popular demand! Open to musicians of all ages and experience levels and modeled after prestigious regional and national competitions, the Young Performer Awards allow participants the opportunity to perform for an expert evaluator via a live, web-based video meeting using Skype. The evaluator will provide feedback and a series of ratings for each piece. Other optional elements will include the “Scale Olympics” technical trial (for pianists) and a Blue Ribbon Recital for the top performers in some regions.
Ribbons will be awarded based on aggregate performance ratings for each piece. Ratings will factor in the playing experience level of the participant, so even relatively inexperienced performers will have a chance to shine! Students of all experience and skill levels are strongly encouraged to participate.
YPA is open to the general public as well as Piano Lessons in Your Home clients for piano, guitar, violin, and voice. Adjudication will take place in early March 2019, with Blue Ribbon Recitals to follow (dates and locations TBA). Read on for more details!
YPA
Performance
Participant selects one or two pieces to perform for the expert evaluator(s), who rate the performance on multiple dimensions with written feedback. Each piece receives an aggregate rating that corresponds with an award level, with Blue Ribbon the highest. Rating scales are adjusted based on the player's experience, so that a well-prepared player of any experience level has a shot at the Blue Ribbon!
Scale Olympics
Pianists may choose to participate in this optional event, wherein the player is rated on his or her technical ability to perform a series of scales. The participant self-selects one of three tiers: Beginning, Intermediate or Advanced. Tier descriptions will be available upon registration, or in advance by emailing us at info@pliyh.com. The Scale Olympics are only open to Performance Evaluation participants.
Blue Ribbon Recital
In select cities, those who earn Blue Ribbons will be invited to perform in a special Blue Ribbon Recital following the conclusion of the adjudication period. Again, beginner and intermediate players may also qualify for the Blue Ribbon Recital based on preparedness. Locations and dates will be announced in mid-February. This is an optional event to recognize our top performers!
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Where can I learn more about the instructors in my area?Please contact us to check availability and we will provide you with the qualifications and bios of the teachers that match your preferences and availability. Most of our instructors teach in a predefined geographic area during specific time slots, but will make exceptions for specific time slots or students outside that area. We've found that this process increases the likelihood of a successful match.
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Where do I find pricing for lessons?Pricing for Piano Lessons in Your Home vary based on a number of factors, but you will find them competitive for your area, even compared to studios where you have to do the driving and the waiting. Please contact us to check availability with your address, instrument of interest and level of experience, and we will be happy to share all pricing options with you.
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Can I take lessons without a piano in my home?Yes! Many of our students learn to play on a portable electronic keyboard, and keyboard prices start at under $100. We may also have keyboards available for short-term rental in your area. If you need advice regarding keyboard selection, your teacher will be glad to help you.
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What are your instructors' qualifications?All PLIYH instructors are experienced teachers and/or performers. The majority have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in music in pedagogy, performance, or education. While our instructors operate independently and use their own teaching methods, all have successfully passed our rigorous screening process which includes a background check, a performance audition, a formal interview, and numerous reference checks followed by several weeks of pedagogy training to allow further evaluation.
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How will my lessons be scheduled?We attempt to match your family with a teacher who matches your preferences and is able to come to your home during your window of availability, whether during the day, evening, or weekend. After we have identified a teacher that is available within this window, he or she will contact you to confirm the schedule.
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What types of books and teaching methods do the instructors use?In the interest of customizing student lessons, we do not use a standardized curriculum. Instead, teachers personalize the curriculum to each student’s learning style and allow him or her to thrive. Parents must purchase books for themselves or their student(s) to use in lessons. Piano Lessons in Your Home maintains a large library of lesson books. Teachers can select materials from this store and bring them to the student’s home for lessons. Parents are billed for the cost of the lesson books plus tax. Generally a lesson book, theory book and technique book are required. The average cost per book is approximately $8. However, many adult piano methods and repertoire books cost in the $15 range.
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At what age can my child begin taking lessons?This depends on the teaching method as well as the child’s ability, attention span, maturity, and interest level. Our instrument/student age ranges are: Piano Lessons: 4 to adult; Guitar Lessons: 7 to adult; Voice Lessons: 9 to adult. Please contact us if you are interested in availability and age appropriateness for a different instrument.
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Should I consider online piano lessons?Online piano lessons have their advantages, and some of our students do opt for online lessons - especially in cases where they have established rapport with a teacher and then one of them relocates. In-person lessons offer many advantages, however. For one, technology can be unreliable and unnecessarily complicate things, especially when children are involved. Two, even modest occasional lags in audio transmission can make it difficult to judge complex playing and communicate fluidly with one another - for example, if the teacher wants to student to pause playing in the middle of a piece. Finally, the student-teacher bond - a key predictor of perseverance and long-term success - is much stronger with in-person interactions.