Getting Ready for the Recitals

November 3, 2017

Drum student and teacher at June 17 recital I can’t believe we’re already heading into another holiday season and that can only mean one thing…there’s a student recital around the corner!! I absolutely love helping my students get ready for recitals because it’s such an important learning tool in addition to being a fun, enriching experience. Performing is a wonderful way for students to express themselves and show what they have learned. It also establishes clear goals for them to work towards which can spark a great deal of progress in the prior weeks. That’s why preparation is key!

Students are challenged to practice a whole new set of skills when they are on stage as opposed to being in a lesson room, so it is important for them to feel as prepared as possible. I work with my students to set and achieve clear goals each week and always practice consistency within the pieces. This allows for us to dig a bit deeper into the songs and really work out any trouble spots. I love this process because it can open up a more in depth dialogue about technique as well as how to add more emotion into a song.

Students perform at Sunburst As a vocalist, it can be fun to experiment with improvising melodies in a lesson, but for a performance I know students will feel much more in control if they have everything planned out. I have also found that having my students take a few slow, steady breaths to start every lesson helps to relax their shoulders, deepen their breath, and slow their heart rate. Acquiring simple breathing techniques can truly make the difference before a performing a piece on stage or off. So when my students step out in front of the crowd and under the lights, I am confident that their hard work will shine.

Although I only have one Sunburst recital under my belt, I was so impressed by all of the students’ positive attitudes and excitement to watch each other perform. They were all so supportive of each other and I realized how much that is a reflection of all the amazing teachers at Sunburst who support each other in that same way. My students left for the evening feeling accomplished and inspired which revitalized our lessons in the following weeks. These recitals are meant to bring students, parents, and faculty closer together and to help all of us recognize what a wonderful community we are building. I encourage all of my students to get involved with the recital because even though it can be intimidating and scary, I know they will feel so accomplished afterwards and will want to keep striving to be the best musician they can be!

Our recitals are Sunday 12/10 and Saturday 12/16 - Sign ups are open at the desk now!

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Sunburst News - August 2025

August 1, 2025

August- Issue #96

5 Reasons to Start Playing in a Band

July 30, 2025

As summer break comes to a close, we’re gearing up for the next term of the Sunburst Band Program and would love to see some new faces this fall. Playing in a band is one of the best ways to progress as a musician, so we put together a list of five reasons why we encourage our students to seek out opportunities to play in groups—whether it's starting a band or jamming with a couple of friends. Progress Your rhythm, timing, and listening skills improve quickly when you start playing in a band or group setting. While private lessons and solo practice are essential pieces of the puzzle, playing with others introduces new variables—like tempo changes, dynamics, and coordination—that challenge you to stay in sync with your bandmates and adapt to each other. We’ve seen so many students level up after just a couple months in the Sunburst Band Program–the progress happens fast! Friends and Connections We love watching our students and their families become friends and our band program has been a natural starting point for many of those relationships. Some of our current bands have stayed together for years, and it's awesome to see them hang out outside of lessons and support each other at shows. Plus, one of the best ways to get gigs is through connections with other musicians! Motivation Playing in a band is super motivating because you're part of a group working toward an exciting shared goal. Whether you're learning a new song, building a set list, or getting ready for a show, the process becomes more exciting and rewarding when you're making music you love with people you enjoy being around. That shared energy turns practice into something much more fun and meaningful. Performing Performing can be nerve-wracking, but it gets easier the more you do it, and being on stage with your friends makes it less scary. We love seeing how our students' stage presence and confidence grow with each performance—it’s one of our favorite parts of being teachers! As we mentioned, shows are a great place to make connections with musicians who you’d like to collaborate with in the future. Simply put, playing more shows leads to playing more shows. Creative Outlet Music is a powerful tool for expression, and it’s important to have outlets for that at any age! Life is very fast paced for many of us, and it can be tough to pause and do the things you enjoy. Band practice can be a consistent anchor in your week—something you can rely on for connection, processing, and creating with your bandmates. As corny as it sounds, playing music is good for your spirit! If you’d like to know more about the Sunburst Band Program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We also recommend talking with your private lessons instructor so that they’re aware and can help you prepare.