It’s Performance Class week. It’s almost too easy for me by now – I almost feel guilty for how little I’m actually working this week. But these classes are so valuable.

Last night one class was with the 9- and 10-year-olds. Grouping by age works best – an assortment of levels is easier to deal with than an assortment of ages. I love this age group. They’re not so needy anymore but they haven’t reached that awkward self-conscious stage yet. They WANT to play more than I require at the class.

One plan that I have for my students is to get them all listening to classical music. A great jumping-off point is The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens. We had a discussion about orchestral instruments – I showed them photos in a glossy music encyclopedia that I picked out of the discount bin at Chapters a while ago.

Then we listened. No video – just audio. The initial reaction on a couple of faces was priceless. Eyes lit up. It’s just so pretty. Yes. Let’s get them hooked on good music.

Image: my own pathetic aquarium. It’s as far as I’m willing to go with the whole pet thing. The plan to soften me up with fish will remain unsuccessful.

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• Brain Goals (ladonasmusicstudio.com)