Dr. Cameron Smith joins our team of highly qualified piano instructors as an additional resource for intermediate to advanced piano students as well as focused beginners.

 

The addition of Dr. Smith to our team of instructors is driven by Musical Chairs' ongoing to commitment to providing teaching resources to meet the evolving needs of our students.  Musical Chairs' Mission is focused on providing highly individualized music instruction for children and adults.  Whether a student is pursuing music on a recreational basis or looking toward a music focus in high school or college and beyond, we are dedicated to providing resources to support your needs.  

Cameron Smith has over 20 years of experience teaching piano.  He received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Michigan, his Master’s of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music and his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Rice University. All of his degrees are in piano performance. Dr. Smith is currently a faculty member at Loyola University Chicago. Since moving to Chicago, he has also been a faculty member at Wunder Studios Performing Arts Conservatory in Park Ridge.  In 2007 and 2008 he served as one of the judges for the Chicago Steinway Young Artist’s Competition which is known for recognizing exceptional musical talent in Chicago area youth.  

Dr. Smith accepts dedicated students who are geared toward student achievement and swift progress. Regular practice is expected and necessary for the student to improve. Effective methods of practice are taught in the lessons, and specific and detailed instructions are given on how to learn music quickly and efficiently. Serious attention is given to technique including how to sit and address the keyboard properly, how to build finger strength and dexterity, and how to play with power but without excessive tension.  Many of Dr. Smith’s students have received 1^st place awards in local competitions, been featured on radio and television programs as well as gone to high school and college music programs.

Extraordinary talent and hard work paid off as Mr. Smith made his debut appearance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra when he was nineteen years old. Cameron Smith has performed in France, Germany, England, Bulgaria, Brazil, and across the U.S. He has performed in Buntrock Hall at Chicago's Symphony Center, at Orchestra Hall in Detroit with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, MI, at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, at Ames Auditorium, Lighthouse International in New York City, and in recital at the Phillip's Collection in Washington D.C. He has been heard live on Detroit's WQRS 105.1 FM, Cleveland's WCLV 104.9 FM, and on "The Front Row" KUHF 88.7 FM, Houston. Cameron maintains an active concert schedule, and also provides performance opportunities in recitals for his students.

• Visit the Percussion Area for rhythm work.

• Sight/Note Reading will be practiced on pianos and other instruments.

• State of the art keyboard linked computer equipment will guide children through Theory activities and learning to be their own Composers!

Students are supervised by a music instructor and also enjoy the social component of learning in a group. 
Play Around is appropriate for ages 6+ but children should have a basic music foundation in advance. For more information, visit our website at:  Introducing Play Around!   or email play@musicalchairsstudio.com.

Children and Adults!  Check out our extensive list of both group and private lesson options.  New this summer are Group Lessons for Adults, Summer Camp for kids and Introducing our new Play Around program for children not wanting the commitment of private lessons, but still interested in learning music and playing instruments.   Visit us online: Summer Programs at Musical Chairs

Congratulations to Molly and Christina - two Musical Chairs 8th graders who have been accepted to will attend Lincoln Park High School's Performing Arts Program.  Under the direction of their voice instructors, Davin Youngs and Caitlyn Bodine, both girls have been training vigorously for this year's audition.  Molly also auditioned for Chicago High School for the Arts.  She received a call back, but has opted to pursue her education at Lincoln Park.  We are very proud of you and all your hard work!  

Need not be a Musical Chairs Student to participate.  All are welcome.  Enjoy a grown up night out while your child learns about George Gershwin.  $15.00 includes dinner.  6:00 - 8:30 pm.   We will watch the American in Paris, listen to Gershwin music, learn about his impact on the music world, play games, test out instruments and have a great time!   Location is Musical Chairs Studio at 2136 W Wilson in Lincoln Square.

These sessions do fill up.  RSVP required to play@musicalchairsstudio.com

Here's one not to miss!  Yefim Bronfman is widely regarded as one of the most talented virtuoso pianists performing today.  On Tuesday, March 1st at 7:30 he will perform at Northwestern's Pick-Staiger Concert Hall.  This will really be a treat for anyone who can attend.  

Bronfman has been featured as a Carnegie Hall “Perspectives” artist and Lucerne Festival “Artiste Etoile” and has performed with the Juilliard and Guarneri String Quartets, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Lynn Harrell, and many others. His extensive discography includes the three Bartók piano concertos, for which he won a Grammy Award.

He will perform:

Haydn: Sonata in C Major
Schumann: Humoreske in B-flat Major, Op 20
Chopin: Twelve Etudes, Op 10

Tickets are $26 for the general public, $22 for Northwestern faculty and staff, and $12 for students. www.pickstaiger.org

I often hear from parents that they want to stop music lessons because their child doesn't practice. I want to say, "would you stop school because they don't want to do homework?"  When the alternative is a Gameboy or Suite Life of Zach and Cody, who would want to practice...or do homework for that matter? With homework, we chase our kids around the house trying to get them to focus on their schoolwork.   Is it so uncommon that we have to do this for music practice too?   I have news for you - no, its not.  Coming from a mother of three music students, my kids don't race into the house shouting..."I can't wait to practice" - few children do. Does this mean its not worth the effort to keep nudging them toward the instruments? 

Children must learn how to do homework. They must learn how to study.  Parents play an integral role in teaching these skills.  The same is true with practicing an instrument.  The process of what to do doesn't magically appear in their brains.  They have to learn it through instruction with their teacher and encouragement as well as follow up from home.  One wonderful day, a child will figure out how to learn on their own.  They begin to understand how to apply themselves and how to follow a process.  In my experience, this starts to occur around 5th - 6th grades.  So, what to do in the meantime?  

Well, if music is important to you and you believe all the research that shows how musical training helps children in so many aspects of their lives....you stick to being the nagging parent.  Don't let them give up. Its OK if they don't practice every day.  The #1 thing you can do to help is sit with them when they practice. Show interest.  Praise them when they do well.  Ask them to explain what they are learning.  Sending them off to a room on their own defies what we expect them to do with their homework.  Remember, they are learners in training first and musicians second.  We parents have a critical role in this process - and it is to not give up!

Join Musical Chairs Drums and Guitar Instructor John Szymanski tomorrow night as his professional band "My My My" opens @ Mayne Stage for Andre Williams
This event is planned to start at 8:00 pm on Jan 15, 2011 at Mayne Stage in Chicago, IL.  Good luck Johnny!

The reluctant guitar student . . . " I'll never play in front of people "  . . . . " I don't like to practice " . . . . . teacher smiles as she decides to not only perform, but to experiment on the bass guitar.  Then, I find out she bought her own guitar pick maker . . . think she's hooked?   Ka Chow!   Teacher success! - nice job teachers John Szymanski and Paul Rodriguez.  Another child loves music.    BTW - we need about 20 of those guitar pick makers around here. 

Register now online . Some classes begin next week.  New Programs include:   

• Musical Theater Classes on Saturday mornings 
• Group Beginner Guitar Lessons
• Additional Step the Beat Classes
• Limited private lesson spots are still available for:

                    *  Piano  * Drums  * Voice  * Violin  *  Guitar  * Saxophone  *  Trumpet  *  Clarinet