A thumb's down to Betterfly

I loved Betterfly; my students could leave feedback, the site was easy and accessible and most important -- FREE.  About two weeks ago, I found out that to access the site, I now need to pay $12 a year plus $19.95 for each referral.  Have you noticed how low my prices are?  They could not stay that low if I stayed with Betterfly.  So I've said good-bye to Betterfly. 

Yesterday, I received a call from a potential client who wanted desperately to speak to me about lessons, but because I refuse to pay Betterfly $19.95, they would not provide my number or further contact information.  Apparently, this potential student employeed some legnthly google detective work and found my phone number on his own. 

Although my studio is now full, I am always happy to take a name or two for a waiting list or unexpected opening.  To save you some time, I am providing my information right here where you will find it pretty darn quick:

Ms. Rosemary Weiland
Plano Pluck
(lessons in the Custer/USA Drive of Plano in the 75025 zipcode.)
Business phone: 214-448-0988
Email: rosemaryweiland@gmail.com (preferred method of contact)


In addition, I did copy and paste some reviews before I said good-bye to Betterfly:

This review was written on behalf of a 13 year-old girl
This is my daughter's second year to be taking violin in school and taking lessons from Rosemary. Her teacher remarks that she is a very good student. Rosemary is an awesome teacher and challenges my daughter in her playing. Very accomodating in meeting our schedule. Loves that she has recitals for her students.

This review was written on behalf of a 9 year-old girl
As a person working in education for some twenty years, I have known a great many instructors and teachers in a wide variety of disciplines. Ms. Rosemary is as good as they come. She is equally effective with children and adults. As the parent of a very energetic child, I was somewhat hesitant as to whether violin would take. For the first time, my child is practicing on her own. She was playing a simple tune after a week, and she is excited about future lessons as well as working to get better. Ms. Rosemary is caring and nurturing, but sets clear boundaries and is not afraid to challenge students to reach their potential.

This review was written on behalf of a 10 year-old girl
My daughter's previous violin instructor turned her experience with the instrument into a negative one. It took several years and a lot of cajoling to get her to agree to meet with another teacher. I told Rosemary our past experiences and she was excited to take on the challenge of helping my daughter fall in love with the violin once again. We have been with Rosemary for about 6 months and my daughter LOVES her lessons. She is growing in her ability at an incredible rate. Rosemary is encouraging and kind. She keeps the parent very informed as well. Our experience with Plano Pluck has been wonderful!

This review was written on behalf of a 8 year-old girl
Rosemary is an excellent teacher for my child. My child used to hate practicing her violin because it was hard, but since she started going to Rosemary that changed. Rosemary motivates the children and offers tangible incentives, as well as plenty of encouragement and verbal praise. She uses language that my daughter can understand. The price is unbeatable in this area and I feel that every dollar I spend is worth every penny. It is apparent that Rosemary, too, enjoys her work and that is important because children can sense her work ethic and it trickles over. I just can't say enough good things...!!! 

Saying good-bye

Saying good-bye is never easy.  We all know it's harder to see some people go than others.  I am very sad to see Ms. K go.  She is moving out of state and we will miss her dearly... as will Bugsy, our studio bunny...

Spring Recital

April 29th was our Spring Recital held at a retirement home nearby.  I am always amazed at how many glitches occur at the last minute with every single recital, yet they all end up so sweet. 

Holiday Recital 2011

Some words about stage fright...

I recently finished reading "Nerve" by Taylor Clark.  From pages 186-190, one can find some sage advice about dealing with stage fright (a subject very close to me).  Here is my favorite quote by Canadian Olympic basketball coach Jack Donohue --

"It's not a case of getting ride of the butterflies.  It's a question of getting them to fly in formation."

Perspective is everything.

Ševcík III: his ten commandments

1. To play beautifully, as well as practising diligently, pay constant attention to the dynamic signs (i.e., sounding levels) of the music.
2. To achieve exact intonation (i.e., the musical intonation), practise slowly and know the name of the note you are playing. Also, keep your fingers on the string as long as you can.
3. To acquire skill in bowing, practise all the principal examples of bowing.
4. To achieve a strong tone, practise at the point of the bow forte with a lot of different kinds of exercises.
5. When you practise bowing, play every note piano and produce a soft flute-like tone. When performing, keep the edge of the hair near to the finger-board.
6. To play rhythmically, count aloud the eighths and quarters and do not beat time with your foot. When playing a piece that you know, pace to and fro in time with the music.
7. When playing up the diatonic scale, don’t take off the fourth finger before you put the second finger on the next string.
8. When playing octave and tenth double stoppings, put the middle finger on the higher string.
9. Without active practice on the strings, the sound of the perfect fifth will not be pure.
10. The notes between two double bar lines should be repeated several times for practice.