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June
04, 2001 Dear Miss Jane: Even
though we'll see each other tomorrow at Andie's class, I had to write you tonight
(you're always so busy before class, and I'm always notoriously late)! Yesterday
afternoon we attended the Singing Sons awards ceremony where they give out the
awards for the various tests that the boys have to take. It goes without saying
that thanks to you Billy passed all three tests which he was given, (I never once
went over anything with him before the tests, which is never the case with his
school tests) and had perfect scores on all of them, by the way! What
I never realized was how difficult these tests are for all the other boys. Billy
was only one of a very small handful of boys who passed all 3 tests in the training
choir, as a matter of fact, test # 3 is usually given only to the boys in the
junior choir. As the choir directors each got up and described what was on the
upper levels of tests (relative major and minor triads and key signatures, the
circle of fifths, semitones, etc.) I was shocked! Not only could Billy have passed
all the upper levels, I recognized some of your former students, including Bobby
Bemis and the Carpenter brothers, who passed easily the upper levels of exams!
(And by the way, I, who have never taken any music lessons, could have passed
them also...well, maybe!) I never realized
just how important and valuable your program has become in our family's life...my
husband insists that before any other extracurricular activities, Miss Jane's
is a must in all our children's schooling, and I wholeheartedly agree with him.
By the end of the third grade, our children will have received (and hopefully
will remember) music theory on a second-year college level! Music
for Young Children is a wonderful program and an unbelievable asset to all the
children who pass though it, whether their parents realize it at the time or not.
You can rest assured, Miss Jane, that I will definitely spread the word! See
you soon! Angie G. |
May
30, 2002 First of all... the recital
was wonderful. You truly make it a very special event for all your kids and their
families. Lyle had a fever that day and missed a friend's birthday party in order
to make the "big event." On the way to dinner afterwards he said, "this was better
than going to a birthday party!" If that's not an endorsement... Melissa
M. |
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October
8, 2001 I have two sons
who are in their last year of Miss Jane's Music For Young Children. My older son
began when he was three and a half years old. I remember clearly his falling asleep
at the end of class a couple of times (not out of boredom, he was still taking
afternoon naps!) At first we were both a bit confused (my only music experience
was when it was suggested to my mom that I give up violin lessons and take ballet
when I was eight) However by the end of the first year we were both singing on
key. When my son entered
pre-k as a four year old, his teacher marveled at the way he "naturally" followed
words on a page from left-to-right and down to the next line. I knew then as I
do now that it was due to the training from MIss Jane (remember the bunny on a
popsickle stick?) In addition to this, his math scores have shown to be very high.
He has so far obtained two perfect scores in math on the SAT. Studies have proven
that music can improve math scores. There are many more things we have reaped
from this program besides academics. Music
is a way of life for us. Every morning when my boys wake up, music fills the house.
They play the piano, the radio, they sing and dance. They study to music in the
afternoons. Every day they practice without question. It is just a way of life
for them. This is the advantage to having started at an early age. To my boys,
music is an essential and integral part of their daily lives. Both of my boys
have no problem performing in front of a group, be it music or presenting a report
at school. I am sure this stems from their recitals and the many times they have
played for their class mates. I feel this program has given them confidence they
otherwise may not have gotten. My
younger son has reaped the same benefits as his brother plus a whole lot more.
When he was quite young he was diagnosed as being mildly-autistic. While to the
untrained eye he may have appeared as a typical child, he had a number of problems
in reality. He began music lessons with Miss Jane when he was four years old.
He had already been in therapy for a year and a half when he experienced a sudden
and unexplained break through. Some of his therapists felt it was due to his interest
and recent knowledge of music. The way Music For Young Children is set up enables
the student to learn to read music, to learn the theory of music as opposed to
just playing the music. For my son, this was a key that unlocked a big door. This
gave him the opportunity to express his creativity by transposing songs and learning
the scales with incredible ease, and to learn to sing a song for the first time
in his life! He is now seven years old and is doing as well as any other kid his
age. He too, has shown academic achievements in mathematics having also obtained
a perfect score on the SAT. Miss
Jane is an incredible teacher. Couple this with a fabulous program and there is
no way you can lose. Thanks Miss Jane for having such a positive, life-long effect
in our lives!! Rosie M. |
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October
30, 2001 Dear Miss Jane, It
is with a very heavy heart that I am writing to you tonight advising that we have
been transferred from Fort Lauderdale consequently we will be withdrawing the
girls from your wonderful MYC program. Both
the girls are loving music and whilst I believe in this great way of learning,
the success of the program with my children is YOU. You truely make it such a
pleasurable experience. Your personality and love of the children and music make
you so special. You will always be remembered wherever we are in the world, as
our first ( and I am sure most fabulous) music teacher. As I never learnt music
as a child , I thank you for my wonderful education.I too have learnt with Ella
and I am able to say that I feel I am more help to Kitty than I was to Ella at
the same point in time! I have to admit that Ella has now left me behind on the
keyboard and proudly challenges her fathers ability, it is a joy to watch. This
year she seems to have come to grips with the benefits associated with practice!!!
It's such a shame to have to withdraw at this point. I would be most grateful
if you can provide me with any MYC contacts you have in New Zealand. I will search
the net in the meantime. We leave on
Dec 14 th so 13th will be our final class. Sorry to leave you with gaps in the
class mid way through the year. See
you on Thursday. Kindest regards, Kate
E. |
April
1, 2003 Dear
Miss Jane: We
will be trying to make it to class this Wednesday but we have a closing at 4pm
and our school parent/teacher meeting at 6:30. If we're not there Weds. please
put us down for the Friday class. Ricky and Elena have both chosen their recital
pieces. They will both play their own compostions.
I don't know if you notice (I'm sure you do) but Ricky is hooked on the piano.
He loves to play! In the morning, and evening and usually in the afternoon too!
He plays his own tunes and practices too. I don't count his practice time unless
it's his homework assignments but he is on the piano whenever he can be! Elena
likes to use the rhythm instruments we have at home and likes singing solfege.
She also practices but not to the extent Ricky does (although it makes her go
to the piano more than she probably would if she didn't hear her brother playing!).
We are
enjoying our 1st year with you! I can't believe how much Ricky and Elena have
learned! Thank
you! Nancy
Scricca |
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March
18, 2002 Dear
Miss Jane, Thank
you for the minutes reward! Jenny plans on a million minutes next year! We
agreed that after the first surprise of attention, she was committed to 112 minutes
a week. This time I had to ask her for an extra 14 minutes on Monday night to
reach the previous count. She and (Daddy) Greg probably played more than that
without noting it, but I wanted to be sure. Of course, if I had known of the attention
that the 14 minutes would generate, I'm not sure I would have gotten those minutes
in such a contrived way!
I hope Jenny is an established 900 minute player. She begins every day by playing.
She plays a song if she has to wait for something anytime of the day. It really
is its own reward. I noticed what a change it has made in her - she picks out
songs by ear on the keyboard. She really enjoys it all much more! I am even back
to practicing every morning - not quite the same results, but the struggle and
satisfaction are still a reward. Thanks
again for the class. Karen
Dear
Miss Jane,
Thank
you for the prize. I enjoy piano alot. Especilly when we learn new songs. I want
to be a composer when I grow up.
love, Jenny |
August
25, 2003 Miss
Jane, Thank
you so much for everything you have done for our kids. Thank you for your patience,
your warm smiles and encouragement throughout all these years. You
are the most professional and caring teacher we've ever met, always bringing the
best in each child in your class. Thanks
to you, both of our children have developed a great sense of accomplishment and
positive self-steem that will last for a lifetime. Through
your encouragement and personal example in your piano classes, both Joanna & Michael
have learned to be more organized, responsible, and that through daily practice,
they will be able to accomplish their goals. Joanna says 'hello' and really misses
you :) Grecia
Garrett |
Part
I: August 31, 2003 Hi
Ms. Jane: I hope you got my phone message about AJ's class change to Mondays at
4. Thanks so much for calling me and letting me know. this works out so well because
I'll head out ot your right after school instead of him coming home and veging
out and then having a struggle to get him back out of the house. Thanks again
and he is so looking forward to his class. He has been counting the days on his
calendar since the last class ended! He placed a sticker on the date class was
to begin and everyday we have the countdown to Ms. Jane. I hope this enthusiasm
stays for a long long time. miriam Part
II: September 23, 2003 Hi
Jane: First
let me thank you for being so wonderful. AJ enjoys your class so much and he looks
forward to it. My husband thought of going to Disney World this week and told
AJ - who answered him that we can't go on Monday because he doesn't want to miss
his music class. How's that?? You are better than Mickey! ...I'd hate for him
to miss anything because he absolutely loves it and is such a perfectionist that
if he'd miss a class, he'd probably go wacko. Write me back. Thanks
Miriam |
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