Archive for May, 2010

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TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week: Andrew H.

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Andrew HThis week’s Rock Star Teacher of the Week is the talented Andrew H. of Tampa, Florida!  A recent graduate of the University of Southern Florida with a degree in Music Composition, Andrew has been a TakeLessons instructor since July 2009 and has 10 continuing students with an average of 30 lessons per student – which just goes to show how much his students enjoy learning from him.  Andrew began studying piano at the age of 13, and now enjoys sharing his passion for music with his students.  In addition to piano, he also teaches singing, songwriting, music theory, opera, and theatrical Broadway singing.

Andrew’s versatility comes from his background performing and composing many different styles of music, including classical, opera, jazz and pop.  During his collegiate studies, Andrew fell in love with teaching music and has led several church youth choirs and other vocal groups, in addition to working with students one-on-one.  His lesson plans focus on learning fun repertoire that helps each student develop the techniques needed to become a better all-around musician.  Great job, Andrew – we are glad to have you working with us!


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Introducing the TakeLessons Team: Meet Drew P.

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Drew PAs one of our student counselors here at TakeLessons, Drew works with prospective students and parents every day to help them get started with music lessons!

How long have you worked at TakeLessons, and what do you like about working here?
I have been working with TakeLessons for just over 3 amazing months, and loving every minute of it!  I enjoy working here for several reasons: the staff is awesome, being able to set kids and adults up with music lessons is awesome, and TakeLessons as a whole entity is SUPER AWESOME!!!

What is your musical experience/background?
I have played drums by ear since age 4 (18 years now), as well as dabbling for several years in jazz piano, bass guitar, Latin percussion, steel drums, barbershop quartets, and songwriting. I have performed hundreds of shows for thousands of people in an eclectic range of settings.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Growing up, I wanted to be a dinosaur, but seeing as that’s not physically possible, I ended up getting into film production and music instead.

What are your activities outside of work?
I am always on the quest for infinite knowledge, and my creative outlet includes film and video projects, playing drums and percussion for a seven member Celtic pirate music band (The Dread Crew of Oddwood), asking a TON of questions about everything, exploring nature (biking, swimming, going to the beach, sailing, camping), and volunteering. I have worked and volunteered at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla, CA for the past 12 years.

What are one professional goal and one personal goal that you hope to achieve this year?
A professional goal of mine this year is to become a super awesome business person. I’ve transitioned from a freelancing business world into the corporate world, and it is a great and challenging (and, of course, rewarding) experience for me. A personal goal of mine is to really build up my own self to levels never achieved before!

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being myself, and accomplishing everything I’ve set my mind to up until this point. I wouldn’t change anything!

Check back every Friday for a new profile on one of our TakeLessons Team members!

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Celebrate Memorial Day with a Special Offer from TakeLessons!

Friday, May 28th, 2010

Memorial Day saleAs we mentioned last week, summer is quickly approaching, and this time of year is the perfect time to get started with music lessons.  To celebrate Memorial Day and kick off the summer, TakeLessons is offering a special ONE DAY ONLY Memorial Day promotion on May 31, 2010!

New students who call us on Monday, May 31 will receive 30% off a month’s worth of music or voice lessons from a TakeLessons Certified™ Teacher. This offer will only run for one day only, so you must act quickly to take advantage of this rockin’ deal.

Simply call us at 877-231-8505 and mention code “MEMDAY2010″ to receive the special discount!  This offer is not currently available for online booking.  Lesson plan pricing will return to normal on June 1, 2010.

For complete details, visit http://takelessons.com/memorial-day-music-lessons.

Happy Memorial Day!


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TakeLessons Rock Star Teacher of the Week: Faiona M.

Monday, May 24th, 2010

FaionaMeet our latest Rock Star Teacher of the Week – Faiona M., who teaches in the Orlando, Florida area.  Faiona has been a TakeLessons Certified™ Instructor since August 2009, and specializes in the Suzuki Method, Kindermusik, Orff training, Music Therapy training, Broadway and opera training.  Her students describe her as “proactive” and “engaging,” and praise her ability to think outside the box when teaching.

Faiona’s approach to teaching centers on meeting each student’s goals and instilling them with the confidence, self esteem, and motivation necessary to reach their highest potential.  Her curriculum stems from various teaching methods in music education, music therapy, and music performance, which she adapts to the curriculum needed to succeed in various music programs in school settings and other venues.  Faiona is a true example of a Rock Star Teacher who strives to help her students reach the goals needed to excel and grow in their musical journeys – keep up the great work, Faiona!

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Introducing the TakeLessons Team: Meet Nadia

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Nadia

Meet Nadia, our HR/Executive Assistant here at TakeLessons. Nadia handles new hire and interview paperwork, restocking office supplies, managing shipments, and just about everything in between!  She also works with our teachers to help them update their profiles with availability, pictures and videos.

What do you like about working at TakeLessons?
I love the freedom I have to be creative and innovative here. What I value most is the integrity of all of the people who work in the office. It’s incredibly inspiring to come into a company where each and every person is so passionate about their job, whether it’s IT work, customer service, or sales. It makes my job easier because I get to feed off everyone’s positive energy.

Where are you from originally?  What is your favorite thing about living in San Diego?
I was born and raised in Orange County and moved to San Diego to go to school at UCSD as a pre-med student. What I love about San Diego is all the opportunity it has offered me, from internships at top research institutes in the nation to a job here at TakeLessons. I could not have asked for a better place to call my home than San Diego.

What other activities do you participate in outside of work?
I am a full time, pre-med student at UCSD, double majoring in human biology and psychology. The fusion of these two is called behavioral psychology, and it has become my true passion. I love staying active, and go hiking and play volleyball. I also LOVE to cook and bake, and if you ever get to try my homemade cheesecake brownies, you will see that I’m pretty good at it too!

Do you have any musical experience or play any instruments?
The extent of my relationship with music is the relationship I have with lyrics. I live by music, anything from The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, and Jefferson Airplane. What I find so amazing about artists is their ability to express what they feel through their music, and how closely I can relate to them. Music inspires me and moves me, so THANK YOU to all you artists out there!

Check back every Friday for a new profile on one of our TakeLessons Team members!

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