The Original Let’s Play Music Students

At our 10 year benchmark, we conducted a study on our first 13 students.  In 1998 they sat on the floor singing nursery rhymes, tapping rhythms and learning solfeggio hand signs. By 2008, they were found excelling not only in music, but in academics, drama, leadership and other extracurricular areas.

Of the 13 original graduates, 11 are still playing the piano, most at an advanced level. They are accompanying in church and play for pleasure.  Eight of them play additional instruments and have developed intermediate/advanced proficiency.  Nearly all sing in harmony, sight read and perform.  These incredible teens are all on their school honor roll and have an average GPA of 4.01.  All of them love music and excel at anything musical!! Read on for their individual bios.

Sydney S. age 13

Sydney loves her school choir where she is a leader in sight singing and is often called upon to find the beginning pitch. She spontaneously sings in harmony in church and in casual home settings. She is playing piano at level 9 and plays for church meetings. She has been in several musical theatre productions. “Let’s Play Music helped me so much in singing new music because the solfeg syllables are so pounded into my head! I didn’t know I would be using solfeg in Jr. High.”

Mark S. age 14

Mark is still enjoying music at age 14. Currently, he takes piano lessons at an advanced level and even won a piano competition in seventh grade against high school students! He is also a member of his Junior High’s top choir, and was involved in City Lights, a musical performing group. Scholastically, he is on the honor role and his GPA is 4.3. He says Let’s Play Music has given him a love for music. His mom says, “Let’s Play Music has enriched our lives on so many levels. I felt educated as I attended classes and learned with my student, even though I am a pianist myself.”

Kami B. age 14

Kami is still taking piano lessons at an intermediate/advanced level and loves to play.  She has also played the violin for three years.  She sings alto in her Jr. High choir and is on the Honor Roll with a GPA of 4.0.  In addition, she plays basketball and softball with the High School JV teams.

 

Kami’s mom says:  “LPM was foundational in her approach to music, and life.  It is nothing short of phenomenal.  The teaching style and the program itself are the best experience we have ever had with music.  We have tried other Eastern method approaches as well as traditional programs and this was by far the most positive experience.  I feel that this program was very influential in my child’s life.  I recommend Let’s Play Music for every child.”

Morgan J. age 14
Morgan currently plays intermediate piano, and guitar.  She takes voice lessons and has performed with a band that performs at malls, weddings, and the Arizona Temple.  She is in the advanced choir at her Jr. High, is a cheerleader, and is on the Honor Roll with a GPA over 4.0.  She is also in Student Council and serves in leadership positions in church.  She has been in musical productions such as Wicked, Cinderella, and 101 Dalmatians.
 

Her mom says:  “What an awesome experience it was to be in this class and to attend with Morgan.  What a fabulous introduction to music she was able to experience with Shelle.  Morgan took a little piano and guitar in the years that followed, but her true love is singing.  Coming from parents that can’t hold a tune, she has certainly wowed us with her voice.  She has been taking voice lessons for a few years and has been able to share her talent along the way.  She has been in musicals in the summers and has enjoyed singing in her school’s choir.  My husband and 16 year old son are in a band and Morgan has been able to sing with them from time to time.  I am so happy that she was part of this group and because of it she developed this talent that has brought us so much joy.”

Lauren A. age 15
Lauren loves to sing, and was in drama at her Jr. High in 8th and 9th Grade. She has been on All Star Cheer for 3 years and is on the honor roll with a GPA of 3.5
 
Mom says, “I loved the way Let’s Play Music was taught.  It made it so fun to learn, I was even able to learn along with Lauren.  Even though Lauren doesn’t play piano anymore, she still remembers the songs and rhythms she learned in Let’s Play Music.”
Makayla B. age 15

Makayla is in piano lessons at an intermediate/advanced level and loves playing.  She is also in her school choir and on the Honor Roll with a GPA of 3.6

 

Her mom says, “I loved this program for me!  I played piano growing up, but I feel like I learned more having my child go through Let’s Play Music.  I learned all the fundamentals of music and it just makes more sense to me now.  I’m also able to pick out harmony and the alto parts now where I couldn’t before.”

Misha B. age 15
Misha plays alto sax, tenor sax, oboe, and drums in addition to the piano. She loves singing alto and 2nd soprano in her school choir.  She is on the honor roll, with a GPA of 3.8. She participates in Student Council and was in “High School Musical” play at school. “Let’s Play Music helped me with my sight reading.  It was easy to switch instruments because I could already read the notes. I feel like it helped me be more well rounded in music.”
Nathan C. age 15
Nathan currently plays drums in his Jr. High band and has taught himself to play the guitar.  He plays the piano in his spare time and occasionally accompanies in church.  Nathan feels like Let’s Play Music really helped him with the fundamental rhythm and pitch skills that allowed him to branch out into other aspects of music.

His mom says:  “We had a very positive experience going through this program!”

Joseph C. age 15
Joseph was in private piano lessons until 12, and still likes to play.  He plays hymns for church meetings.  He sings in his Junior High honor choir and loves to sing harmony.  He also plays the guitar.  He is a member of National Junior Honor Society and is on the Honor Roll with a GPA is above 4.0.

His mom says, “I think Let’s Play Music impacted Joseph’s life in many areas we are probably not even aware of.  It is such a well rounded program.  We just loved it!”

Lauren P. age 15
Lauren is taking piano lessons at an intermediate/advanced level.  She loves singing and can harmonize easily.  In addition to piano, she also plays harp, guitar, cello and bass.  She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, was team  captain for her National Academic League team and is on the honor role with a 4.1 GPA.  She has also been in many musical and theatrical productions.

Mom says, “Lauren received a great foundation for music theory while in Let’s Play Music.  She loves all types of music and learns different instruments very easily.  This program is one of the best things that we could have done for her in educating her about music!  Thank you!!”

Sarah S. age 15
Sarah is taking piano lessons, singing in school choirs and performing groups.  She has also played the violin and been in several music theatre productions with the local community college.  She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and maintains a 4.0 GPA. “Let’s Play Music sparked my enthusiasm and love for music.  It really helped me to start learning the basics of music.  Learning solfeg, rhythm, and chords really has helped my music skills.” “Sarah and I loved Let’s Play Music!  It was such a fun way to learn important basic music concepts.  We have often used “bugs” to figure out complex rhythms.  She has a love for music and the joy it can bring to her and to others as she shares it!”
Adam K. age 16
Adam loves music. He currently plays cello in his High School orchestra, sings in High School choir, and has formed the greatest friendships through his music.  He takes private cello, private guitar, and voice lessons. In ninth grade, he was class president at his Junior High school and made the Regional Choir. His sight reading score was definitely helped by learning solfeg in Let’s Play Music!!  Adam currently has a 4.7 GPA and enjoys all learning.   “Music has been such a huge part of my life”, he says, “I love music and can’t get enough. Let’s Play Music was an excellent jumpstart for music and academics. I still use solfeg today!”

Adam’s mom agrees.  “I am grateful for the broad base that Adam received in his Let’s Play Music experiences. I am convinced that the overview of all aspects of music that Adam was introduced to helped him open his mind to the “big picture” of music education. Let’s Play Music is so thorough and fun, that Adam was introduced to musical concepts and practices at the perfect age so he could grasp and incorporate them into his daily life. We love Let’s Play Music!!”

Tobie R. age 16
Tobie still loves playing the piano and accompanying in church meetings.  She was in her Jr. High’s advanced choir and loves to sing harmony.  She is on the Honor Roll with a GPA  of 4.2.  “Let’s Play Music has helped me develop performing skills and allowed me to build upon the basic fundamentals of learning piano.”
 

Her mom says, “Unfortunately, Tobie did not continue with piano lessons as I had hoped she would due to lack of piano teachers in our area.  But she is able to sit at the piano and sight read easily.  I feel Let’s Play Music helped her with this ability and developed the skill of reading music.  My youngest daughter is currently in her third year of Let’s Play Music. I love the program!”