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KMD Music Studio

tips, facts and fun videos for music lovers!

Transformative Power of Music

7/29/2019

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A highly respected teacher, conductor and musician, Benjamin Zander has a wonderful YouTube series with Boston Philharmonic that I enjoy watching. I first found him while browsing TED talks online in back in 2012.  I encountered him again in one of my Music Education classes at Calvin University 2016. When I need inspiration, I will view it again, and I learn something new every time! 
I post this here today to share this wonderful man's music philosophy with you all. Enjoy!

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Upcoming Music events

7/28/2019

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I encourage music students to study their craft by attending concerts or open mics as much as possible.

Here are a couple coming up this week:

Saturday, August 3rd: Ukulele Group
12-2pm at Marge's Donut Den in Wyoming (28th street between Burlingame and Byron Center)
If you don't have a uke, they provide a few. If you don't play uke, come and learn! How to play chords is projected along with a karaoke-like song. 
Lots of FUN!

Friday, August 9th: Karen Yonkers' Student Recital
1:30-3pm at St. Luke's Lutheran Church (corner of East Beltline and 4Mile)
Just a fun sharing time for students. 
Light refreshments to follow.

Saturday, August 10th: Sam's Swing Band
1-2:30pm at Grandville's 6th Annual Vintage Festival
Chicago Drive between Wilson and Washington
I play piano with this group.
Car show, pony rides, crafts and more! 

Ms. Karen
ps: if there are other kid-friendly musical events you know of, comment below!


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Hebrew classes anyone?

7/22/2019

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I will again be offering Hebrew Classes in 2019-2020 school year. 
Here's the details:
Hebrew Class
Mondays 5:15-6:15pm

NE Grand Rapids

September 9-December 9

(No class 9-30 & 11-25)

Beginning Biblical Hebrew class is for those with little or no previous experience with the Hebrew language. The goal is understanding the Hebrew scriptures on a more intimate level. This class uses a text written by the instructor, Karen Yonkers.

This is a 12 week course.
Class size: min. 5, max. 15
$120 per student for 12 hour-long classes ($10/week)
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Pencils and notebooks provided.


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NEW! Music Classes this year

7/22/2019

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I invite you to go to my new page: "Classes 2019/20" to view the new music classes I have created over the summer. Each class corresponds to my Session Theme of private lessons. 
I am offering a discount of 15% on the classes for my students, as I believe these studies will enhance their appreciation and understanding of music. 
My fall schedule is filling quickly! Make sure you have a spot. Email or call today to continue or start music lessons this year.
​Ms. Karen

Picture
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Time to make lesson schedules for fall!

7/17/2019

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july_2faugust_2019_newsletter.pdf
File Size: 522 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

July/August 2019
NEWSLETTER



Note from Ms. Karen
I trust that your summer vacation is fun and safe so far. A faithful few have been enjoying keeping up on their instruments with me over the summer. For myself, as many of you know, summer is my big performance season. I play keyboards with Sam’s Swing Band (pictured above), and clarinet with Calder City Concert Band. Both bands are dedicated to serving the retired community, so we share our music at various area Retirement Homes. We also have some public events. I perform twice a week, typically: once in each band. 

The first week of July, there were no gigs or lessons, so I took a trip north to hike trails at Newaygo State Park, North Country National Scenic Trail in White Cloud, and Ridge Trail at Ludington State Park. I took along my ukulele, because it’s small and I have to “do” music every day! If it’s not an instrument, it’s singing along with my cd collection on the road.
This newsletter is covering two months again this time, as I prepare for the fall and another year of music instruction. This year, in addition to private half/whole hour lessons, I will be offering some group classes covering musical subjects. I am still working out the details, but ideas are: theory, composers, music history, game nights (with music-related card and board games). 
Recital for summer session students is coming up: Friday, August 9th at 1:30pm St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on the corner of 4 Mile and East Beltline. Students who are participating should arrive at 1pm to warm up. I will not prepare a printed program this time. Anyone is welcome to come, invite family, friends, those who may be interested in music lessons in the fall.

Musically Yours, 
Ms. Karen

REMINDER:  PLEASE Bring: all music books: lesson, theory, repertoire. Provide a Notebook designated solely for lessons: put your name on it!  Bring instrument and all needs: reeds, picks, tuners, swabs. Write down practice minutes daily.
 Bring all every time.

2019-2020 music schedule

Session One:
September 9-October 25, 2019
FOCUS: Elements of Music
Recital Saturday, October 26th

Session Two:
October 28-December 15, 2019
FOCUS: Expressions in Music
Recital Saturday, December 14th 
(tentative date for recital)

Session Three:
January 6-February 14, 2020
FOCUS: Ensembles in Music
Recital Saturday, February 15

Session Four: 
February 17-March 27, 2020
FOCUS: Made up Music 
(optional composition session)
Recital Saturday, March 28, 2020

Session Five:
April 13-May 22, 2020
FOCUS: Unconventional & Uncommon
Recital Saturday, May 16, 2020





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PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE DAY OF THE WEEK AND TIMES WHICH WOULD BEST FOR LESSONS THIS FALL. TWO CHOICES IS GOOD. I WILL ADJUST MY OTHER WORKING SCHEDULES AROUND THE RESPONSES. FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. M-F
EMAIL BY August 15. 

****************************
 
Enjoy the rest of the summer months! Stay cool, too.






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    Karen Yonkers

    Pianist and clarinetist, Karen provides tips, facts and fun videos for musicians and music lovers here!

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