Piano Discoveries - Mason Academy

Fall 2020 registration is open!

PIANO DISCOVERIES ONLINE

OVERVIEW

Kids ages 6-9 (rising 1st-grade minimum) can learn introductory piano skills in this online group class, along with other kids their age, from the safety of their own home.

This 15-week online class is an excellent introduction to the piano and basic musical concepts through singing, playing, keyboard exercises, and games. Students will have daily written theory and practice assignments and will learn to read music and play a variety of songs along with their peers. Through singing and playing, students will be able to learn music at a comfortable pace. The teacher will do an individual assessment for each student throughout the class.

Note: After completing this course, students can register for the next level after a short break in February.

REQUIREMENTS

Students will need to have a piano or keyboard at home
Some assistance from a parent or caregiver to set up for class and help with practice
Computer, tablet, or smart phone on a tripod or table with internet access and audio/video capabilities. Please check to be sure your computer or device meets these requirements before registering for this program.
All online programs require students to have, at minimum: high-speed internet access, a computer/tablet/smart phone with a built-in camera and microphone capable of running the video conferencing tool Zoom. For best performance, here are our recommended technical requirements:
- Operating Systems
  macOS 10.13 or newer
  Windows 10
  Chrome OS
  Apple iOS and Android
- Computer Speed and Processor
  Use a Mac five years old or newer, or other device three years old or newer, if possible.
  4 GB of RAM
  2 GHz processor
- Internet Speed
  Minimum of 1.5 Mbps download and 800 Kbps upload

OPTION A

Ages: 6 – 9 (rising 1st-grade minimum)
Dates: Mondays, Sept. 21 – Jan. 18, 2021
Time: 4:30 – 5:30 pm EST
Skip Dates: Nov. 23 | Dec. 21 | Dec. 28
Tuition: $427.50
Location: Zoom (Details provided in Welcome Letter)
Required Books (Please purchase the following books):

Piano Discoveries on Staff: Starter Discoverer Book by Janet Vogt and Leon Bates
Theory Discoveries level 1A Theory Book by Janet Vogt and Leon Bates

OPTION B

Ages: 6 – 9 (rising 1st-grade minimum)
Dates: Tuesdays, Sept. 22 – Jan. 19, 2021
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm EST
Skip Dates: Nov. 24 | Dec. 22 | Dec. 29
Tuition: $427.50 + $10 Material Fee
Location: Zoom (Details provided in Welcome Letter)
Required Books: No books required. Students will have access to supplemental materials and videos during the session

OPTION C

Ages: 6 – 9 (rising 1st-grade minimum)
Dates: Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Jan. 20, 2021
Time: 9:00 – 10:00 am EST
Skip Dates: Nov. 25 | Dec. 23 | Dec. 30
Tuition: $427.50 + $10 Material Fee
Location: Zoom (Details provided in Welcome Letter)
Required Books: No books required. Students will have access to supplemental materials and videos during the session

PROGRAM FACULTY

Michelle Richardson
Academy Teaching Artist
Read about Ms. Richardson

Michelle Richardson holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music from George Mason University where she studied with Dr. Anna Balakerskaia. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree, continuing her studies with Dr. Balakerskaia. Ms. Richardson is a sought after soloist, chamber musician, and accompanist in the Metro D.C. Area. Highlights of her solo and chamber performances include her solo debut with the George Mason Symphony Orchestra playing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, chamber recitals at the Lyceum in Alexandria, the “Music with the Angels” Concert series at the Church of the Holy City, Fairfax County “Spotlight on the Arts” festival, as well as at George Mason’s All-Steinway Concerts and ARTS By George series. In the summer of 2010, Ms. Richardson was invited to attend the Orfeo International Music Festival in Vipiteno, Italy. There, she was featured on multiple programs as a soloist and was a finalist in the Orfeo International Music Competition. In May of 2013, Ms. Richardson was a featured soloist in the GMU School of Music Honors Recital. Additionally, she is a frequent performer in area churches including Community of Faith United Methodist Church, Leesburg Community Church, Galilee United Methodist Church, and Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church. She is also a sought after accompanist for local recitals and student solo events.

In addition to her performing, Ms. Richardson has been an active teacher in the area for the last eight years. Along with her performance bachelor’s degree, she completed all the coursework toward a music education degree. In August of 2015, she was faculty on the Corcoran Chamber Music Institute (formerly known as the Summer Piano and Chamber Music Institute at George Washington University). She currently is adjunct faculty at George Mason University where she teaches keyboard classes throughout the year. She also is an active faculty member at the Mason Community Arts Academy at George Mason University, where she teaches at summer piano programs, group classes, and maintains a large piano studio of all ages throughout the year. She is experienced teaching all levels of piano and has prepared students for successful auditions to their top choice music schools with scholarships.

Dr. Kelly Nam
Academy Teaching Artist
Read about Dr. Nam

Dr. Kelly Nam (formerly Soonsook Myung), who lives in Northern Virginia, holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy with minors in Music Theory and Music History from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of Indiana, Bloomington. As a winner of the 2005 Wisconsin Beethoven Competition and many international and national piano competitions, such as the Tenth Age and Musical Journal Competition in Korea, Dr. Nam has appeared as soloist, collaborator, duo-pianist, accompanist, and lecturer throughout the United States. Internationally, Dr. Nam played Chopin concerto No.1 with Korean Symphony Orchestra at Seoul Arts Center in 2001 and made numerous appearances in concert halls worldwide. As a critical pedagogy scholar, Dr. Nam has been a frequent contributor to the CMS, College Music Society and the MTNA, Music Teachers National Association. For her brilliant research in the field of music education and assessment, Dr. Nam was awarded 2010 National Teaching Scholar by Carnegie Academy for the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Prior to joining Mason Community Arts Academy at George Mason University, Dr. Nam taught at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT and the University of Wisconsin, Madison in Madison, WI.

Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
The Academy will not be responsible for students unable to participate due to lack of technology and will be unable to offer any refunds in this event.
Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for fall or spring group classes.
All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least 1 week before the class starts with all necessary details including class schedule, supply list, web links, etc.
For additional information, please contact the Academy at academy@gmu.edu.