Emailed Questions to Us AND Their Answers
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We love hearing from YOU!
Mayron,
I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for my students the past 12 years.
Two of my students have been accepted for the second year to attend the week long Piano Academy at John Brown University. This is for high school students and they only accept 12 from several states on an audition basis. It's an intense week of practicing piano and learning from top professors of music. It ends with a recital.
Another one of my piano students just graduated from Ohio State University with a music major. I have several kids playing for church and also accompanist for the local high school play, and the list could keep going. One of my top students has started teaching some of the younger students that I don't have space for.
I would not teach any other method. It makes so much sense, and the out come is amazing. I have a little 8 year old girl that is ready for 4-A. She has a very supportive mother and has her lesson perfect every week. There are those exceptional children!
Jackie W. (AR)
Thank you so much. I am 64 years old and just learning to play the piano. I have used your method since Day 1. It is slow going, but plan to continue through all your books. I have an old upright Tonk piano that is 100 years old. Really a piece of junk, but I try to keep it tuned, and shined up. I love it. It really needs a complete restoration, but not on my agenda unless I win the lotto. It's been a life long dream to play, and your method has helped me so much to learn on my own, at my own pace. I think it also helps with beginning arthritis is my hands, too. You all do great work, just so you know. Never forget that.
Regards, Vickie Westcott
I have been teaching piano lessons for 16 years and the Mayron Cole Piano Method is by far the best curriculum that I have used in class. The material is introduced in such a way that is very thorough and easy to follow. My students love working and coloring the theory pages as well.
Thank you Ms Mayron for making music so enjoyable to learn!
Jeanie High
Brandon, Ms.
Dear Mayron Cole:
My name is Phillda Ragland Njau, an American, who came to East Africa via the United Presbyterian Church USA.
I teach piano in Nairobi at Paa Ya Paa Arts Centre, the first indigenous arts and cultural centre in independent Kenya.
I came across your teaching method from the internet.
I decided to look among my community here in the Ridgeways area of Nairobi. There is an orphanage nearby and in another area, a program for street boys. I offered my services to these two groups for free so that I get an opportunity to practice your group teaching style.
I have never seen a piano method like yours that engages children so creatively in the early years.
They love to be able to color their sheets, they love the games, they love tapping the rhythm exercises and to be able to play ensemble right from the start.
The orphans joined our regular lessons when we were almost finished rehearsing for a concert, and I really wanted to include them in, but they hadn't learned enough to put them on the piano with a piece. So we did a tapping rhythm exercise for the audience using tambourines, shakers, a kayamba traditional instrument and a drumstick. They enjoyed and the audience enjoyed. Also when the 5 street boys joined we were nearing another concert and so I decided to give them one piece with 5 parts and let them play that one together. I held my breath when they started just hoping they would be able to carry it through without too many hitches. Was I surprised when they started and stopped on the correct notes throughout, and their faces were beaming!
Phillda Ragland Njau
Coordinator, International Arts Program for Paa Ya Paa
and Instructor for Piano at Paa Ya Paa's Music Maker's Studio
Love your method.
I've been teaching your method since 1995. The Fun sheets and rhythm taps are wonderful.
Great reinforcement. I appreciate the approach to music concepts which are concise and clear.
MC books raise the bar compared to other main methods. I wish I had discovered you in the beginning
of my career back in the 70's!
Thank you Mayron!
Colette F.
Milwaukie, OR
Good afternoon,
I teach at a middle school (grades 7-8). I have a beginning piano class of (currently) 15 students with the understanding that it could go up to 20 students. I am looking for a class piano method that will enable me to stop going from keyboard to keyboard listening to individual students progressing at different levels, which is what is happening now. (Ed: Bold font added)
My background is teaching band and choir, and your method appeals to me because it has some of those teaching methods built into it. However, I noticed in perusing your site that the classes are usually much smaller than what I can offer at a public school. Also, my class is part of the regular school schedule, and meets daily for 50 minutes. Would your method be a good fit in these circumstances?
Thank you for your time and expertise,
D. S.
D.S.,
Thanks for your interest in The Mayron Cole Piano Method. Yes, you can use our curriculum in a school classroom setting; we have many teachers who do. You middle school students will begin in Older Beginner Level 1 which includes 72 compositions (3 of which are multi-piano ensembles which students love) along with corresponding theory fun sheets.
Yes, we mostly market our method to home-studio teachers because, unfortunately, not very many schools offer piano lessons, but luckily that is changing. Getting to meet with your students each day is a blessing for a piano teacher rather than an obstacle to overcome; I'm sure that every home-studio teacher would love to have that opportunity. I am actually in the process of writing a teacher's manual specifically for teaching our method in a school classroom setting, but it will be some time before I am ready to put that on the market. In the meantime, here are some ideas that will be discussed in the upcoming manual.
You are correct that with our method you will be teaching to a single class rather than trying to teach 20 simultaneous private lessons. Our method offers many opportunities for a state-certified school teacher to differentiate the classroom while still keeping the class together on one assignment, just like middle school student's core curriculum teachers do.
Since you are lucky enough to have so much time each week with your students, you can create projects in addition to our standard textbooks, such as:
• Have students set their own goals like "memorize ten pieces" or "answers all staff note flashcards correctly" (only the staff notes that have been covered up to that point in the textbook; students will add flashcards as they learn new notes). One student may set a goal of memorizing one composition while another student sets a goal to memorize 15 compositions. You can set aside a few minutes in each class period for working independently towards meeting their goals.
• Differentiate the classroom by having students who are doing well work with students who are struggling; they can work on flashcards and worksheets together.
• Divide the class into small-groups and give them a choice of research projects on topics such as the invention of the piano-forte, the invention of writing staff note music, or historical biographies on famous composers. You could further differentiate these projects by giving students choices on how to present their research: video, photo, written, oral, or artistic.
• Assign supplemental music to students who desire more of a challenge. The supplemental music is not the next lesson in the textbook (that would then split your class which would eventually result in teaching multiple private lessons), rather it is an additional composition at the same level as the current lesson. Our Level 1 Folk Song Favorites, Level 1 Summer Stunners, Level 1 Jack and the Beanstalk Operetta, and Level 1 Ensembles are perfect for supplemental assignments. For the ensembles, you would have a handful of students work together.
Another main difference with teaching a large class rather than a small one is the way you will organize and implement the games. The goal of the games is of course to teach, drill, and quiz students on piano and theory knowledge, so any classroom game that will allow you to ask questions of the students will suffice. We also carry a Piano Bingo Game which is good for large groups. There are 8 student cards in our bingo games, so you would need to use 3 sets in your class. Bingo is a great way to keep all students engaged in each question during the game.
Even though you will be meeting with your students each day, I would still only teach only one lesson each week and spread it out among five classes because young pianists need time to process, absorb, and practice the concepts before progressing forward. So in addition to the differentiation techniques suggested above, I would recommend that you build practice time into each day's lesson in which students work on their own to learn the compositions just as they would do at home. You will also have plenty of time to complete worksheets in class, something many teachers have to assign for homework because meeting once a week often leaves them short on time. Basically, you will have class time for students to complete all of the work that most piano students must do alone at home, which is a wonderful opportunity for a teacher. You will also have time to spend a few minutes each week one-on-one with each student in your class (while other students are working on one of the projects listed above).
Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything else.
Thanks,
Colleen Cole, M.Ed.
Dear Mayron,
I am happy to say I started an adult class this week. I had ordered several Blastoff books last year and basically taught the whole book in one session! They loved it. We didn't use any of the worksheets though so my question to you is would you consider compiling an adult Blast Off that moves into the staff? I may use the Older Beginner Course and I also have some adult method books, but I really love your large print materials and artwork! I am planning on teaching 8 week courses for adults.
I am so thankful for your curriculum. It changed the course of my teaching about 13 years ago. It gave me a new vision for teaching.
Hope you are well,
Cindy E. (GA)
Cindy: It is GREAT hearing from you! I suggest that you use Level 1A, Partial Book 1. It has the same concepts that are presented in Blast Off and then teaches some staff notes. Let me know if this suggestion works for you. And best wishes to you! You will make it, Cindy! --Mayron
Mayron,
Thank you. I think what I love about the Blast Off Series is the ensembles. I know there are some in the Older Beginner Book 1 and Older Beginner Book 2 now. The adults loved them and the option to choose which difficulty they felt comfortable with. They had so much fun and it feels great to be teaching again. I will look into the partial book as well.
Cindy E.
Dear Mayron,
In a few months I'll be turning 80. I have really declined recently. My daughter has moved in to live with me and care for me. Fortunately she works from home so her company doesn't care what her physical address is.
I have cut from 23 students 2 years ago to 15 last year and 9 this year. I haven't taken any new students for the last several years. If I teach at all next school year, I plan to take only the hand full of students who consistently come prepared.
With my daughter's help, we were again able to perform a community service for the local independent-living complex with a fun costume Halloween program. My students really had fun entertaining about 30 seniors. We will be returning early in December for a short but great Christmas program.
I have so many wonderful memories of the time I spent years ago, learning to teach group piano the Mayron Cole way. I learned how to run a successful business from your husband's classes. The two of you had a wonderful impact upon my life.
My eyesight may be dimming, my body may be growing ever more stiff and painful, but my memories are still happy and bright - even if some of them are 25, or so, years old. ;-)
Thank you and have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Marenann D.
Dear Mayron,
Thank you very much for creating such a wonderful curriculum! It is very enjoyable when studying the materials you sent.
Many thanks for your help,
Eliza Tsai-Lin, PhD
Shepherd Piano Studio
Mayron,
I just met with a family who wants to come into my studio. They were in Florida and used the Mayron Cole Piano Method books! Teacher was Mrs _____ in the Melbourne area.
They studied with another teacher here (a math teacher by trade...) with another method, and didn't learn anything. I put the Audition book in front of them, and they played them! (Up to your Level 2A...)
This is a first!!!
Wonderful! Thanks so much for a wonderful curriculum. (I call your series a curriculum, not a method. Whereas I call other series methods - because it's a method to madness...)
Cheers!
Jason Comet, NY
Dear Mayron,
I just wanted to give you a heads up that you are about to receive a very large order from my school, Lake Oconee Academy. We have used your method book during these past 5 years, and are seeing some great results with the curriculum. We are so fortunate to be able to offer group piano as a core class in our school, and this year, I will have around 130 students studying the piano! I am hoping that once you receive this order that the turnaround time can be as quick as possible, as school begins on Monday. I haven't been able to place my order until today because I wasn't sure of my student numbers. My headmaster should sign the PO today and hopefully you'll have the info before the close of business.
Thank you.
Amy Reber (GA)
Mayron,
Thank you so much for the replacement gift of my textbooks and CDs. Your kindness make the loss of my home to fire a little easier to deal
with. I am still searching for a new piano, This is a carful selection, but trust me, I will make it soon. I miss my piano. Everything was
lost, a total disaster. I thank GOD for my life. I know the outcome could have been a lot different. I was home alone, an with two replaced
knees and hips, I am grateful to the small voice in my head that said “get out”. I really wanted to live to see age 82. And I walked !
I am more grateful everyday I wake up with one more day.
Can’t thank you enough.
Sincerely,
Janet Anderson (TX)
Dear Mayron,
My 4 yr. old pupil in YOUR method was reading the notes She's now 6. She 's also "Composing" her own songs....without suggestions from me. She & her sister 2 yrs. older play YOUR songs together at lesson time. They have also played in our retirement communities Talent Show at their request. We all love YOUR method.
I must note that years!! ago their great-grandmother and I played piano-organ duets together. On another item, I was just asked to be the organist at a local church..... Enjoy the summer.
Shirley M. (PA)
Mayron
Thank you very much! I love your method and have found that it is the ONLY piano method that effectively and consistently teaches note reading, rhythm and the love of music. My teaching has never been the same since I began using this method 17 years ago.
I have so many band director's over the years thank me for how well the students know how to read notes and what great "counters" they are. I always give the credit to Mayron!
Sincerely,
L. Conner, IA
Mayron,
I love the way this method teaches students to READ music, not just memorize finger numbers and rhythm patterns etc. I feel like this method is excellent in teaching all aspects of music. My students are becoming great sight reading pianist!
--L. Olsen
Utah
Hello Mrs. Cole,
How was your grandson’s visit to Tanzania?
We are actually in the US for three months on furlough getting to visit with family and friends before returning back to the mission field.
Congratulations on getting level 9A on the market. Your materials have been a blessing to many an African child that otherwise would never have the opportunity for piano lessons.
Thank you for such wonderful teaching materials. You have a wonderful gift that is a blessing to many.
Tamara Schoch
Tanzaia, Africa
www.schochmission.blogspot.com
Dear Mayron,
I'm teaching groups in my apartment where I'm retired. This is the 10th year I've had groups. At present there are two sisters, a young married couple (she's a nurse on our staff) and two ladies who have homes on our grounds. Both ladies are in their 80s. They ALL are enjoying lessons. No need to coax them to practice; they will be playing in our Talent Show!This is a retirement community with all kinds of activities. Music is well-liked . (The little girls do not live here; but I've known their family for many years: Used to play piano/organ duets with their great- grandmother.)
S B Michel
PA
Hey, Mayron and Bill,
One of my students has been waiting for this Level 9A, and he started it today and was so excited! He really liked the first compostion and may do it at my Recital May 17.
Laura
FL
Dear Mayron,
I wanted to tell you that the beginning piano class I started at my school last fall has been so successful that we've added another class of level 2 piano, and there were so many students wanting to take beginning piano, we have a waiting list of 33!
Your materials are great for group piano, and at our Piano Open Houses, we always have students teach one of their parents a song so they will see how challenging it can be as well as rewarding!
Thanks again for your help.
Dee Ann
Hawaii
Mayron,
Having music game fun on Maniac Mountain!!
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McCoy
OK
> I have been using Mayron Cole material for several years and love it. I have a lady teaching with me that I would like to have the experience of a seminar like I did. Gina: Thank you for your kind words about our piano method! They are truly appreciated! We no longer do live seminars since all of our seminars are now available as webinars. Go to "Training Seminars for Teachers" on our Home Page. Teachers about the country have told us the webinars are very convenient for them since they can view the seminar over and over for thirty days. I hope this helps your new lady who is teaching with you. Have a GREAT Holiday season!--Mayron Thank you so much, Mayron,
|
Hello-
I am in love with your methods book by the way. The sequencing is wonderful and the attention to note reading is just outstanding!
Once you are set up in our system, I intend to ask my grade four students to obtain the Level 1A Books. I'm looking forward to starting them in piano!
Thank you for all that you do!
Musically yours,
Anthony P.
Maryland
Dear Mrs Cole,
Thank you so much for all of your assistance. I will send a follow up email when I have received the order to let you know that everything arrived safe and sound. Once I have had an opportunity to read through the books and further scope out the pacing/design some lessons around a few of the songs, I am almost certain that you will be hearing from me again to order class sets of the materials.
Learning to play and read rhythms correctly is already a heavy part of our curriculum at Pullen, so I am sure that the pre-reading portion of the methodology could be integrated seamlessly into our curriculum. Phases two and three would be perfect springboards into the piano major. I know how frustrating finger number dependence can be. I've been searching a long time for a method that breaks this habit. I look forward to studying your method to see how you have "cracked the code".
My accompaniment preference is USB drive. Again, thank you so much for everything.
Have a great day!
-Anthony P.
Maryland
Mayron-
Thank you so much!! You guys are the best!!!!
Jen E.
Sent from my iPhone
Jen: We were able to combine into one package both of the books you ordered -- which saves you
money on the shipping cost. We appreciate your business and will do everything we can to save
you money and give you great service.--Mayron Cole
Hi, Mayron!
Here are some thoughts I want to share with prospective teachers. I have 10 digital pianos, and most of my classes have 10 students. Due to scheduling issues, I do have 1 class that has 12 students….and only 10 pianos. Here's how I make this work: I will divide the students into groups and will instruct one group while the other group plays a music theory game (your games are great!!!) or they work on the fun sheets….then we switch. It's not ideal, but it works for now. Sometimes I do have to have all students at the pianos at once. We have a rotation set up so that if we are at the pianos, no one student is always the one having to share. I'm hoping to expand my piano lab in order to avoid this issue in the future, but this is how I'm making it work for now. This year, I have 93 students taking piano…..AWESOME!!!!!
Thanks for your great materials. They are thorough, fun, and the kids are really learning. I'm looking forward to Level 9 coming out, as I am going to have some students ready for it soon!
Thank you!
Amy Reber
Mayron,
The Menehune Teacher's Manual is great. It takes you step by step through each lesson. Easy to follow and flexible. Helpful teaching tips are included.
Terri P.
Chico, CA
Mayron,
There is a plethera of piano method books available. This is the only one that you can hand to a brand new teacher that has not taken any classes on how to prepare a lesson and have them be successful in the very first lesson. Any beginning teacher that wants to learn how to be a good piano teacher will learn how by teaching from this manual (ed.: EZ Keys Teacher's Manual). Not only that, but most piano students do not know how to sight read and one of the big reasons is they do not learn how to count. Any teacher that uses this course as written will have students that know how to count!
Paul P.
London, ON
Mayron,
I love the Mayron Cole Piano Method! I learned how to play the piano with it 21 years ago, and today, I am teaching the next generation with this method. So blessed to have this method!
K.B.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Mayron,
It will be my goal to order earlier next time. Sometimes that just doesn't work out. Haha. Good to hear your voice. Your program has been a blessing to me. Thanks for the many years!
Bernie
AK
Mayron,
It's been a wonderful journey these many years teaching your curriculum.
R. Scherer
MO
Mrs. Aransas:
Thank you for calling attention to the errors on the new edition 5A CD's track numbers.
These errors have been corrected. Attached is a new listing of 5A track numbers for you to insert in your 5A CD's case. We appreciate your notification to us about these errors!
--Mayron Cole
Mayron,
Thank you so much! Bless you! My children are thoroughly enjoying this program. And I love listening to them play the beautiful songs over and over and over again!
J. A.
Dear Mrs. Cole,
I've been a piano teacher for 7 years and have enjoyed the many students and
classes I've been able to teach. But one of the coolest experiences I've had
was teaching 30, 6-7 year olds of the Cheti School/Orphanage in Tanzania,
Africa. With the Blast Off Junior books from Mayron Cole, 3 roll out
keyboards, and lots of energetic, willing to learn kids, piano was sure fun
in Tanzania! They loved learning rhythms and especially loved the "D is the
Doggie" song. Playing piano was a completely new experience for them and I
was so excited to be able to bring and share one of my favorite talents.
Now
that I'm home from Africa, I can feel grateful knowing they will keep up the
piano as I was able to teach the teachers the piano course to now put into
their school curriculum. A big thank you for writing such a fun
course that excites children all around the world!
Thanks,
Sierra Lee
Mayron,
I have been teaching the Mayron Cole Piano Method at my home studio for over 30 years. I also use it in my piano classes at Northwest Vista College. I find it the BEST method available for all ages.
I take students of all ages and levels.
Pam Floyd
Ms Cole,
Here are some of the pictures from the recital that we had at the primary school and Alison that taught there. The other pictures (ed.: not shown here) are students that were taking lessons from inside my home.
I will try to send you a progress report when I can get the lesson book from
the primary school when they get back into session.
The students have loved learning piano.
Thank you.
Tamara Schoch
Schoch Mission, Tanzania
www.schochmission.blogspot.com
Hi Mayron,
I have been distributing piano flyers around to my local school district, and the first school I walked into wanted 500 flyers!
I only ordered 1500 thinking that would be enough, but I have a feeling I need to order more!
So far the summer's going pretty well!
I thought you'd like to know an update.
Thanks,
Jason Comet
Mrs Cole,
I hope I have the honor of meeting you one day. I just love your method. You were kind enough to take time one day to share with me over the phone how to understand the overtone series. (new to me!)
I can arrange music-hymns etc...just because I can hear it. I have no idea what the heck I'm doing..:( I just hear it. Any way, NOW I know what it is I'm hearing, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, I can teach it! (See: Compose Yourself!)
Anyone who is new to teaching piano has such a wealth of information available from your method, I am sooo happy to have found The Mayron Cole Series. I am very very excited about teaching composing this summer!
Thank you, Thank you , Thank you!
Vickie Lee
Mayron,
I love your products and know that they are always topnotch!!! I will be heading into my 15th year of using your curriculum. I tell all of my parents that ask about it that it is the best out there, "If I had taken the time to write my own curriculum, this is what I would have written!" Thank you Mayron, for all that you do for piano students and teachers and for music education!!!
Susan Swain, NC
Hi Mayron!
Thank you so much for the opportunity again to do Cinderella Operetta! I had so much fun painting scenery and looking forward to seeing it onstage!!
The 2014 show was wonderful! Over 1100 people came to the four performances, and they turned away more than 100 before the shows began due to capacity crowds! We may do a fifth show next year to assist with the demand. Is that awesome??
I am sending some pics for you. Please post as you so please. My granddaughter was the step-mom.
It is so neat to watch these kids grow in self confidence and stage presence, I thank you again for the fire you set under me back in 1996. You started it all....that is how I wrote of you in the program.
Rana McCoy, OK
Mayron,
I have 4 classes this year and am so excited! I went from teaching 5 private lessons in 2.5 hours to 4 classes (a little over 3 hrs.) with 10 children total (teaching all on 1day!) Our spring recital went well last year. Thank you for the support you all have given over time. Blast Off With Piano also went well. Love your music!
Jeanie
Hello Mayron!
Thanks for calling me back a few weeks ago about the books I ordered. Everything worked out just fine!
For Piano Camp this summer I had 13 students ages 5 to 11 work on Jack and the Beanstalk Operetta. We learned it and performed it all in one week! The students and the parents LOVED it. We renamed it Jackie and the Beanstalk, had 2 cows, and a Con Lady. I went ahead and shared my pictures with you on google+ let me know if you do not receive them!
Thanks for all your hard work!!!
Dorla A____
Mayron,
I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with you once again. You are amazing. My students and I will be looking forward to level 9.
My order came though promptly. As did my replacement game “boards’. As a special plus, new playing pieces were included! Thank you for your generous offer to replace the cracking, older plastic game mats.
Thank you for the contribution your talent, creativity, and expertise makes in my day to day piano teaching.Irene Jergensen
Longmont, Colorado
response for my starting group piano classes....
Lucia _____
Hi Colleen,
I thought you would really appreciate this note from a piano parent. Her son is 5 years old, and I used a Blast Off App lesson with him last week. His Mom purchased the lesson at the app store because I put it on his assignment sheet.
Scroll down to read her wonderful note!
Cheryl
"Hi Ms Cheryl,
Robert LOVES this app! He has been playing all 3 rhythm songs for me right before he goes to bed and when he wakes up in the morning. I know that he was only suppose to do the first song but he was so excited to perform with the accompaniment that he just did it without us asking him to do so.
Once you assess him on the 3 rhythm songs, let me know if you want me to get Lesson 2. I don't mind purchasing a lesson each week, especially if he is excited to go beyond what was expected of him.
Thanks and enjoy the beautiful weekend!
Truly,
Je_____
"
Facebook message:
Hi,
I know that you don't know me, but I just wanted to send you a note to say thanks for the wonderful piano currciulum that you created. I found myself in the position at age 55 of needing to provide for myself and my children.Unfortunately, my full-time job just didn't cover our house payment. Since I needed to keep my full time job, and didn't have the time or confidence to start a studio without help, I found your method to be just the help I needed! I can't tell you how much I appreciate you and your family!! Thanks for being such a blessing to me and my family and doing what God called you to do!
Liz Melson
Valley Music
Wasilla, AK
Thank you for .....
I have found much success in using the Mayron Cole Piano Method. My best success was the day I attended the workshops with Mayron here in Baltimore. I was so inspired and learned so much that day, it was wonderful.
Linda K.
MD
My dear precious Mayron~
Thank you for your kind words. You are my cheer coach! I am writing next year's (ed.: summer operetta) production. You know you may write another one at any time.......
I am so blessed for all you have given to me~great music, games, operettas, good times, opportunities, priorities, and being such a wonderful friend. Tell Bill hello for me!
You are loved!
Rana McCoy
OK
CUSTOMER COMMENTS with online order:
Happy New Year Everyone!
Business is so GREAT!
I teach 45 students per week (right in the living room) and only teach and hour and half to two hours per day!
Thank you for such a wonderful program -- all my families love it.
-Melissa A.
CA
Mayron:
I started today with my group classes. I had one more demo today that ended up having maybe 8 kids show up. We had people coming in off the street rushing home to bring their kids back to try out class. I had a few come in and join one of my classes that started today as well. Signing up afterwards was like the ticket line at Disney world.
This is awesome! I'll be making another order first thing in the morning because I had to add another class!
-L.Townsend
AL
Colleen, Thanks for taking such special care with my order, I really appreciate it! I can't tell you how much--and I know you and your family hear this all the time, but your method is so pedagogically sound....and fun....for the kids and the teacher! I've been using your method and teaching groups for almost 3 years and it has been fabulous.....doesn't compare to the 20 years prior. I really wish it would have been presented in my piano pedagogy class years ago. Thanks again,
-K. D. UT |
(Ed. Note: We agree that our method does not rely on gimmiks, and we are the ONLY company that publishes method books from Pre-reading to Pre-College Level.)
Dear Mayron,
Sincerely,
-M. D.
AZ
,
Newspaper Article About My Studio !!
-Carol Pierce
Hope Mills,
NC
Dear Ms Cole,
(Ed. Note: From a new Mayron Cole Piano Method Teacher) ...My own children have enjoyed your books and CDs very much. I don't think my son would have stuck with piano if he didn't enjoy the music so much! Sometimes we just put on the CD and let it play all the way through as we go about our day. My toddler loves to dance to it.
-Mary L.
Bolivar, MO
Hi, Mayron,
...............By the way, I had a senior graduate this year and as I was going back to find the date that he first started lessons, I discovered that he was the 1st student I have had , as a senior, that started in Mayron Cole. He started when he was 5 and I have had him for 13 years. He is an amazing student and plays the best of any student I ever had. I will have 2 more seniors next year that will have started in Mayron Cole also.
-Judy W.
OH
I just started using your technique and noticed that I am using it in other teaching to get the point across a lot quicker to even guitar and drum students.
I want to be on your list of studios so that people can contact me. Let me know what I have to do.
Thanks again.
-S.B.
Houston, TX
Hi Mayron,
I just finished with all of my “end of the year” recitals, 7 in all!!! It’s always a hectic time, but everything went better than expected and everyone was very happy!This past week we were having our last lesson of the school year and something happened that I just had to share with you….
I was just finishing up a meeting with my fellow teachers as my 1st class of the day entered the room. I walked into the waiting room to greet the parents when one of the teachers called me back into the room… she was amazed! There they were, four of the sweetest little 6year olds…. They were counting off and playing one of their recital songs ALL BY THEMSELVES….. without me leading them!!!! I wanted to cry with joy!!! They continued to count and play each and every recital song…. Counting all together as I stood there and watched!! My pride level was through the roof!!
They were so proud of themselves!
There it was…. Proof positive….. “Mayron Cole’s Method” and Group Teaching… a winning combination! When you see something like that, it just makes all of the hard work so worthwhile!! : )
I’ve included a picture of the girls…. So sweet!
Thanks again Mayron for inspiring me … All The Best!!!
- JoAnn
GA
Colleen:
Thanks for your time and patience. I have almost 60 students now in just
one summer and a school year of teaching MC to groups. Not everyone wants
to play but for those who do, it's been a great hit! I had enough students
to have my first summer recital yesterday and I've been teaching a long
time. My students increased over the summer instead of dropping off. For
those private students who stayed around, they've really learned how to work
together with the group and I'm so proud of them.
-K. H.
Weslaco, TX
Hello Mayron and Colleen:
I just wanted to share a very positive story about one of my piano students. I had a mom stop by the studio about 2 months ago to talk with me about whether there was anyway we could help her visually impaired 8 year old daughter find a way to take piano lessons. M.... (the daughter) has limited vision because of a problem with her retinas. She must always wear dark glasses, is colorblind, and can only see very large print.
Mom had talked to a couple of other teachers without much success, and wanted to know if there was any way we could help. I walked back to my office and picked up a copy of your 1A book, handed it to the mom, and said: “Would this work?”. Mom lit up like a Christmas tree!! M..... started lessons that week, and has FINISHED the entire 1A book in 8 lessons. The print is a very readable size for her. Mom says that M...... has been wanting to learn piano for 2 years and they couldn’t find anyone with the right resources to help her.
I though you would like to hear about how your books are making one little girl’s musical dreams come true. I can’t wait to see how fast we get through 1B!
S. G.
North Carolina
Dear Bill and Mayron and Colleen,
Today I taught the pedagogy class on Group Piano at Boise State University for Dr. Del Parkinson. Even though I do this each spring, I never teach it the same way twice.
We had 7 students and I started on the floor with note cards of 2 quarters and 2 eight notes saying, "Are these the same or different?" I have always started this lecture and every group class with the identical words and props. Is there any other way to start a class?!!! Then I used the Rabbit Game to reinforce the rhythms and handed out plastic keyboards to do the rhythms on notes. Then we talked about how to teach to the group and not individual lessons and not embarrass a student with the wrong answers but have the class as a whole do the item (rhythm clapping in this case after I had primed a student to do it wrong) until he could get it right.
Next I hand out a sheet with Mayron's info on why teach in groups, what kind of child will adapt to groups, and why not to teach in groups. (only if you don't want to make a decent living!)
I always hand out a green sheet (for money, natch) on Finances from Bill's lecture showing how the fictional teacher charges XXX amount, registration fee and collection of tuitions. I give them my contract/registration sheets which are edited from what Mayron gave us and give them permission to copy anything from them that they want. We also talk about "You have to look like a business, sound, smell and act like a business. And never apologize for charging a fair fee for a good product. I always warn them that they are representing Boise State's education program and never shortcut teaching well...or I will haunt them if Dr. Parkinson doesn't!!!
Since my Master's project was teaching 4 different group methods I found in the stores (Alfred's and Hal Leonard's adapted to a group class) and online (the Mayron Cole Piano Method and Mrs. Stewart's Piano Lessons) I highlighted what I had learned from them as well.
Time always goes too fast! I did not use any online video from your site since I could not get it to download at home to check it out and just bagged it. I did have a VHS video of me teaching at the end of the 4 method lecture and showed a blip of the kids playing. Videos are good, but actually getting on the floor and being the class is the best.
And I handed out two articles from your site which copied off the computer with extremely small print and I had trouble blowing up at the printers. It was like a size 6 font.
I actually had pangs of missing teaching as I went through the class and couldn't invite the kids to come observe me. However, I'm not THAT bored with retirement yet! In our newspaper today they featured a couple who are 84 and 85 who took 14 months of art lessons recently and are now doing pencil portraits just to have "something to do."
It's Festival/Piano Guild season so I am starting judging this Friday for the next 4 months.
Hope you are all well.
Love to all,
Gay Pool (ID)
Colleen, Mayron, & Bill,
I have people calling every week for lessons. Where have they been all my life? This is just unbelievable that so many people suddenly want to take piano.
Thanks for everything. 'm amazed. I have 47 students now. It is the most that I have ever had!
I would love to tell Pam N. that she was right. I took pedagogy from her at UTSA almost 2 decades ago and she told me to use your course. I didn't listen and didn't have the space to do group then but it was always in my mind. Do you know her?
K. H.
Dear K....
Yes, I know her very well! She.........is now Pam. F. She has moved to Br......, TX and teaches there. We just got an order from a school, and the woman ordering said that she was ordering the books for a new teacher, P. F. She still believes in my piano method for which I am truly grateful! She is dear!--mc
Hi Mayron,
I have just completed day 4 of Blast Off and invited a fellow piano teacher to observe the class. She was 'blown away' and could not believe that the 7 and 8 year olds in the class could play all the rhythms perfectly (including eighth notes) and knew where all the notes were on the piano (at double speed too!). I gave her your contact information so I hope you will be hearing from her.......She was very impressed so I hope she contacts you.
I very much enjoyed the convention this year (even though I was jet lagged having just returned from England). It was very inspiring and I love the new ensembles. The KEYS Bingo game has also been a BIG hit. thanks so much
J. C.
Mayron and Colleen,
I just wanted to say how much I love your method. I have been using it for over 2 years now. There is truly nothing like this method. I mostly take beginners, but have had transfers come that could not count and were having extreme difficulty reading. They were most of the time in level 2 of other traditional methods. Within just a couple weeks of changing them over to the MC method they had greatly improved. One of those students today said, "This book has helped me read and count! Now I can even go back to my other method book and it is a lot easier to read." (This girl could not play very well and was practically in tears the first day because she was struggling reading and couldn't count.) This has happened many times over the past couple years. It is so exciting to hear them count steady and really read the notes! Parents just are thrilled with the success, but really I can not take full credit.
This method is what makes the difference. If you want to teach in groups this is the only method that works! If you want happy students who practice this works! Parents do not even need to help them. You can not count on most parents to help with their busy schedules, but no worry MC method works anyway! Students go home confident and because of the confidence the students do not mind practicing. I have parents saying I wish I would have found you sooner.
What a great compliment. Thanks to you for developing such a great method!
T. D.
Back to the top.
THREE LETTERS FROM ATTENDEES AT THE NATIONAL GROUP PIANO TEACHERS CONVENTION JULY,2007
I. Mayron, Bill and Colleen,
Just wanted to thank you for a WONDERFUL piano convention! I've only been teaching group piano classes with your method for the last two years and was so excited when you announced this year's convention. The classes were very
informative, the location was perfect, and I especially enjoyed meeting you three. You are extremely professional but also genuinely warm and kind! I know that you truly care about our success and feel so lucky to have been trained by you. Thanks again for all of your efforts on my behalf!
Looking forward to the next convention,
M. L.
P.S. I've convinced my sister-in-law and a niece to start using your method books so the Mayron Cole method is continuing to grow in Las Vegas!
II. Hello Mayron,
Congratulations to Colleen for last week's "excellent" workshop event. You must be really proud of her successful production. I include a thank you to Chris as well.
My thanks to you and Bill for your outstanding part in the program. As always, your expertise and information continues to inspire me and makes me look really smart with my group student families. Your method and curriculum has changed my professional teaching life in ways I never imagined would happen. I am sincerely grateful for this blessing.
When I have attended other workshops, I have sometimes been asked to complete an evaluation at the end. I thought this might be helpful in planning any future conferences, so I will include my feedback on the sessions I attended. I decided on a scale of 1--5, with 5 being the highest grade.
For Friday, the a.m. sessions I attended were Misfits' Roundtable (5) which Tanya kept "on schedule". She assigned us to different tables with 5 per table and same studio teachers at seperate tables. I thought this gave balance in the followup information. My 2nd session was Q & A (5) which was very informative about group class "how to's", i.e. Colleen's color coded grading system, managing rowdy students, etc., overview & comparison to other methods.
My 3rd session was Outside the Box (4) which seemed less productive during the teacher feedback part of the program. Jane Hurlburt was the only experienced "group" teacher at her table. All the others were "prospective group" teachers with more questions than input. I did enjoy the session and will use the information which applies to me.
Fri. p.m.I attended Sample Advanced Class (5+) which applies to my group class students and private level 5 and higher students. Mayron, you make everything seem easier to teach than I ever experienced in college. Thank you! Next, I attended Bonnie's Expanding your Studio (5+) which was awesome. When you look at her outline the amount of information is well organized, extensive and "Do-able". Her experience came through clearly and I was impressed with her explainations. Yeah for our studio!
My last session was Musical Meanderings (5+) which was well done from beginning to the end. Thank you for providing the ensemble samples through Colleen's students!
Sat. a.m. with Bill was AWESOME. Both sessions were 5+. My suggestion for his 2 sessions is to video to DVD and/or CD and add this to your business manual. It would provide you an "instant update" to include whatever you decide would be beneficial in this area. Also, you could offer this DVD as a single package for those who prefer video to reading. I have no idea what the cost of production would be for you. I do think this could be more widely accessed depending on your pricing.
Sat. p.m I attended Music Composition (5+++), which made composing understandable for the first time in my teaching career. YEAH!!!!! In future, I think I will really enjoy teaching this information to my students.
This email is too long, but I truly wanted to share my thoughts with all of you. I continue to enjoy teaching your group method and find that every lesson is exciting, challenging and rewarding for me. I have empowered and successful students whose parents often ask, "How do you inspire them to practice without being nagged?" I tell them, "It's the Mayron Cole method and curriculum. It is ALWAYS FUN." Then they thank me and say, they don't remember having "fun" at their piano lessons when they were students.
I look forward to trying all the new ideas learned last week at the conference. Take care and know we at PianoRAMA are your greatest fans.
J. M.
III. Hello!
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the presentations at the conference this past weekend. I am thrilled to begin teaching Mrs. Cole's method this fall and feel so much more confident going into my teaching having attended the seminars. Everyone did such and excellent and thorough job! On a personal note, thanks very much Dr. Cole for having such a caring spirit.... I will keep in touch. You were such a blessing to me in God's perfect time. Maybe a consult fee needs to be added to this invoice!!
Thanks to all,
L. J.
Dear Mayron & Colleen,
I want to sincerely thank you for the incredible support, advice and encouragement you've given me as I've gotten my group studio off the ground.
My recitals are coming up soon & that is always a wonderful time. Many, many thanks for sharing your wonderful method with the world. You are both an important part of my daily work to teach children to play piano in a fun way.
Many thanks,
J. H.
Adventures in Music
Mayron,
I love your piano method! I have played the piano for years but have never been very successful at helping anyone else learn to play because I just “figured” it out for myself and never took lessons. Your method is the first teaching method that has ever made sense to me! It is so clever to teach the rhythm first (which is usually the hardest thing to grasp), and the keys on the keyboard and then introduce the staff when they already know the basics! It gets them playing the piano and excited about it right away because you have made it such simple easy steps!
I am not a piano teacher. I am an elementary school teacher, and I am very impressed at your step-by-step method. I began the very first day teaching my 6-year-old granddaughter the first lesson in EZ Keys, and we did not stop until we were halfway through the whole book! So, I am very excited about continuing working with her and being successful for the first time teaching piano lessons! (Although I am only doing one child, your group method sounds really neat. I have used group teaching methods a lot in my classroom and it is a very motivating way to learn. It really helps the shyer students feel more comfortable, too.
Your music is so pretty. After playing some of the sample pages from your website, I ordered a few of the advanced books and pieces for me to play! I have enjoyed playing all of them, including all the teacher accompaniments to the first levels! Very, very creative and clever!
Thank you for your help.
J. A.
Mayron,
I truly enjoy teaching my group piano classes. Using Mayron Cole piano books has changed how I teach & how the children perceive music. I just switched 2 transfer students from Alfred Primer Level, & they just loved your method.
Thank you for developing a great & fun method.
D. R.
R. Music Studio (A Mobile Studio)
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This email from a parent was forwarded to us by one of our teachers.)
Hi J.,
J. really enjoyed class. Here is a picture of her Tuesday evening. After she came home and practiced some, she laid down on the couch with her piano book and went to sleep. I figured you would enjoy seeing it. See you Tuesday.
N. J.
Hi!
I just wanted to share this with you...
I am a Jim Brickman fan, and when he recently had a free event at a Borders in the DC area, I decided to take my young family to see him. When I was getting one of his songbooks to ask him to sign, my kids asked if they could have their music books signed too! So, now both Mayron AND Jim Brickman have inspired my children to play beautiful music!
Thanks,
R. H., R., A., and C. O.
Dear Mayron,
......This is our first production so we're just hoping to have the families show up and since it's Thanksgiving weekend, there will be extended family.
I have had a J&B (Ed. note: Jack and the Beranstalk Operetta) script on my shelf for over two years and was waiting for the right time. I even had Jack chosen. And I finally gave him the part. I don't seem to have the right mix of piano students. My mom did children's choir/drama for years for our church back home. I have been wanting to do this--knew it would be great. When I mentioned it to the local homeschool group(which I am a member of) the director was so excited(she is my Co-director). This was in late September so I didn't think we could attempt it but she was so enthusiastic I though I'd better go with it. Thanks for your prompt shipping because I knew we had to start the next week. Anyway, the response to the songs is so great. They really do stick in your head and the kids are learning them so quickly. The little ones who can't even read are doing the best! Only a few are my actual piano students. (but all this fun may make the others want to take!) I only have two pianists because they all want to be in it-- it's been so much fun. Everyone is just pitching in and helping. They want to make it excellent. We also have a free facility at a church gymnasium. Well, I will get back to you. They are already talking about Cinderella for the spring.
Thanks so much,
C. E.
Hi Mayron and Colleen,
Aren't these girls cute! They did a great job at piano camp:
I had them learn from the Menehune book, and they made it to page 59!
They are all friends from school and worked really well together. It was fun.
They really enjoyed Keys Bingo. The tall student was visiting from New York for the summer. This is probably the best group that I have taught.
Best regards,
J. J. H.
HI Mayron,
I haven’t talked to you for a very long time! I used another method last year and I really fell apart. I’m going to be keeping with your stuff from now on!
I learned.
I’m sorting all my students right now.
Thanks!
_. _.
ID
Hi Mayron,
I wanted to let you know that I taught "Graduation Memories" yesterday to a senior in high school. She has been my student since she was a little girl. The piece is beautiful. I also taught "Madrid" (Editor: in the Level 7-B book) to another graduating senior that has been my student since the 2nd grade. Where have the years gone Mayron? It is hard to believe that I have been teaching your method for nearly 18 years! Anyway, I need to thank you for all the great music and the wonderful friendship. You are special!
T. U.
(Editor's Note: This is how to start a studio!!)
Email with a BEAUTIFUL Grand Opening Flyer attached........, Mayron, I also advertised on a local electronic screen on the most busy street in (my city), Also put it for three weeks in the local paper. It is also being broadcast on the local movie screen before the shows. I also put it on the local radio station for this week. HOPEFULLY, it will draw LOTS of people. I have two people with the beginners , T..........., who has already taught your method and M........., who is just starting with your method. We are of course demonstrating with Mayron Cole method books, blast off and such and VERY of course with the ensemble material. I will take pictures on Saturday and send you a couple. Pray for me and this venture. With your method how can we fail, right?
L.
WI
Mayron,
I have enjoyed looking at all of the new products you have published and created over the years. I still maintain that your method is the very best. I've been reviewing many methods and new publications to familiarize myself with the products that have come out since I stopped teaching. Yours is still the most thorough, well-planned and motivating on the market. Even though, I haven't taught for many years, I still refer any piano inquiries to another Mayron Cole Method teacher in my area. Everyone that I have referred has been so pleased with your method and their children's success. I see former students quite often and they tell me how much they enjoyed their group piano experience and several have gone on to be accompanists.
Would it be possible to have you send me an updated catalog? I'd like to see a complete listing of your products and the new updates.
Thanks,
A.
UT
Mayron:
Just yesterday I had a class of students just starting in Level 1B. I gave them some supplementary material, Christmas and Halloween music, and let them get started on it themselves. And you know that that type of music is not going to be composed of only the notes they've learned so far. It was very gratifying for them to raise their hand and confirm a note they had figured out themselves. Their way of thinking was this: "Now, I know this note is a G, so since this is 2 notes higher it must be this note, right?" And these were notes that were not yet studied in their method book! I tell them this all the time, that your method really sets the foundation for learning, and to see them actually realizing that yesterday was a big WOW for them AND me! Adults are quick to figure this out, but these kids were 9 and 10!!!
Thanks!!
B.
OK
Mayron
Thank YOU -- for developing such a child-friendly course of piano instruction! Wish it had been available when I was toiling away at my scales and Schaum exercises...
C.
VA
Hi Mayron,
I just wanted to let you know we are having a Mayron Cole Monster Concert on the 21st of May. We have almost a WHOLE concert with Mayron Cole ensembles. They each have their favorite one too. I LOVE the Madrid Ensemble. They really have to follow me in that one. Love it! At first I didn't like the October Morn Ensemble as well as the (October Morn) solo (in the Level 6-B student book). But, I am liking it more and more.
Hope your life is going well. People are still talking about your music. Love it, Mayron.
L.
WI
Hi Mayron,
Thank you so much for the rhythm worksheets. i really appreciate your generosity and business. Your cirriculum has been a blessing & a proven success! God bless you and yours abundantly!!!
Sincerely,
C. F.
P.S. Thanks to you two...Bill & Colleen!!
(Editor's Note: This letter has a great idea! Many years ago, a teacher in Texas turned an RV into a music mobile. We wrote an article about the Texas teacher, and it is in our Advertising and Business Manual. We applaud Sherry for using our business manual in such a great way! m.c.)
Dear Mayron:
Here are the promised pictures of our new MUSIC MOBILE as it debuted in our local Christmas parade. The students, dressed in Santa costumes, marched in front of the RV. We have already received a feature story on our local NBC TV station, and the combined publicity has generated over 400 hits to our website. Needless to say, I'm encouraged! I plan to use January to do demo classes at local schools and hope to have some more paying clients by February.
S..... (85 students and counting!!)
NC
919-557-0470
e-mail: musicacademy@nc.rr.com
Web site: www.musicacademyoffuquay.com
Dear Mayron & Colleen,
Thanks so much for all the help & assistance you've provided for me.
I started teaching the EZ Key courses in the fall, and it has been going very well. My 5 year old students have lots of fun learning, and they are moving fast. We just finished Book 2.
Cherryl
Dear Mayron,
One of the great things about your method is how appealing the class piano fromat is to the male students. This past fall, I actually had more male beginners than female. That was never the case with private lessons. Thanks for all you do.
S.
NC
Dear Mayron,
I have been using the Mayron Cole curriculum since January, and I LOVE IT! Thank you for creating such a wonderful and FUN group piano curriculum.
Sincerely,
A.
TX
Dear Mayron,
I want to thank you so very much for your kindness and excellent customer service you demonstrated a couple of weeks ago. I was just days away from holding my first student recital using the Mayron Cole piano method. The first half of the recital was to be a traditional performance of piano solos by 18 first-year students, and we had rehearsed Jack and the Beanstalk for the second half of the recital.
The accompaniment CD I had been using was scratched during our first dress rehearsal. I left you a message asking if I could purchase another CD to be sent overnight. Much to my relief, I received the UPS package the next day; not only did I receive prompt customer service, but you sent me two CDs and only charged me for shipping!! I thought it might have been a mistake until I read your kind comment on the invoice about being a good customer!! I was very touched by your generosity and can see why you have such a large following of faithful clients.
The recital went very well (thanks to you!). The parents and students loved Jack and the Beanstalk! We held the program at our library and had 90 people attend (more than I've had in past recitals using traditional methods). I had several parents and grandparents comment that they were glad I was doing more than just "piano" in this recital. (See picutres below.)
The parents made some really nice costumes and were very supportive of the "operetta" idea from the beginning. The students really bonded during rehearsals, and as soon as the program ended, they asked what would be the next show?! Good question....I'm really hoping your other operettas will have CD accompaniments soon -- they allowed me to give my full attention to the students during rehearsals and the performance.
I have enjoyed every bit of my first year teaching the Mayron Cole method. I wrote one article in our local paper and put about 400 flyers out last July. I also e-mailed my friends and our local homeschool organization about the Blast-Off camp. My private studio, which last year consisted of a handful of advanced voice students, grew to 33 students (mostly piano) within a month! I once again truly enjoy teaching piano to children, and have found your method to be the "magic bullet" that puts the passion and energy back into teaching studio music. Many, many thanks, Mayron.
Sincerely yours,
Karen B., DMA
GA
Dear Mayron
I have had 2 new group classes that started the first week of last month. The week after we had done page 8 in the Level 1-A book, one of my students came to the next lesson with her own creations. Since we had drawn "D with two blakc ears," she created "C for cat" and "E for elephant." I thought it showed real initiative on her part and knew you would get a little "kcik" out of it. Please forgive the copy of your page from the book. Since it was coming to you I hope you don't mind!
Sincerely,
T.
email: tbennett@wbia.net
Mayron,
Thanks you for the help you gave me on the phone this past week and for the free Blast Off with Piano student booklet. It looks great! I can't wait to try out the Blast Off With Piano Course this summer. I am enjoying teaching your method and my students are having a great time learning to play the piano.
Would you please add my information to your teacher locator?
Thank you,
D.
MO
email: Dnrevo@aol.com
