"Jocelyn Morrow is a like a breath of fresh air. We feel extremely privileged to have our two daughters as piano students of this warm and highly talented woman. We have been so pleased with her sensitive, fun, yet professional manner. Jocelyn lovingly evaluated each of the girls, and amazingly has been the perfect instructor for their individual and very different learning styles. It is a joy to watch our daughters' progress as well as see their utter enjoyment of their lessons. Please feel free to contact me for more information."
Toledo, Ohio

"If only my piano teacher had been as fun and as talented as Mrs. Jocelyn! Her knowledge of music and skill at the piano is extraordinary. Combine that with her incredible patience and absolute love for children and the result is talented, happy, self-confident piano students. She is the gift you give your child (and yourself) that keeps on giving. I am truly amazed at her ability to customize her teaching method to the child.
It seems she just knows how each of them needs to be taught. My daughter has learned far more than I thought possible in two years. When the student is ready, she includes dynamics, technique, and theory, as well as body, hand and finger posture. The result is a beautiful sound and performance that will exceed your expectations. We are blessed and proud to be a part of her studio. "

As parents, the first question we must ask ourselves is, why study piano? Because our Mother’s made us so it must be good for our kids? Because studies show it will make our children smarter? So we can say they take piano and we can check that off our list of parental responsibilities? Because they have always wanted to learn to play and dream of becoming a concert pianist; or is that our dream? Because we love the sound of “a piece in process” ringing throughout the house each evening? Or does our daughter want to learn to read music so she can be the next Hilary Duff? Like everything else in life, accomplishments are achieved by clear and defined goals followed by an input (practice and effort) that effects the desired result. When it comes to piano, what is your ROI (return on investment?). When she (or he) graduates from college, what role will piano lessons have played in her (or his) life to get them to this point?

The way I see it, regardless of my reason, if I am going to spend the time driving to lessons, sitting through and taking notes at the lessons, dealing with my other child who is bored, and paying for lessons, I best get my bang for my buck, and that means daily practice! And in my world, time is money so when you put the two together, if I don’t make practice a priority, I am wasting both my time and my money, which in my hectic life is an unbearable thought! In our house, piano practice is part of our daily “to do” list like homework, brushing teeth and taking a shower. The day is not complete, until these things are done! Sure there are days when we have to skip practice, just like there are days we have to skip showers. I have my bedtime limits and when we reach them, the night is over regardless of what is left undone.

In the first year, I painfully sat at the piano about 75% of the time during practice, helping to break the songs down, correct notes, etc. Now in our third year, my child typically practices before or after dinner, while I am cooking or doing dishes, so I can hear what is going on. Between making the salad and entrée, I go to the piano to help out with problems and from the stove I give my “that was lovely dear” or “better try that one again” input. OK--so sometimes the broccoli burns--just rinse it and add butter and lemon pepper, maybe they will not notice :o).

Since I come from the “follow the rules” school of thinking, I am also motivated to be sure she practices, because Mrs. Jocelyn (the piano teacher) says she has to! So, if I allow my child to do other than what her teacher says, what am I teaching her about following rules? If she wants to play outside or watch T.V., then the rule of daily practice does not apply because…. something easier and more interesting was available to her? Hum? So then I can practice when I feel like it? What if I grow up and don’t feel like going to work, even though it is the rule of employment, then what? Do you send your child to school to take a test unprepared? Of course not, because they would get a bad grade; but also because they would feel like a failure which would damage their self esteem. So how do they feel after a piano lesson when they where unprepared? Or a song that takes months to master? Is the voice in their head saying “I am too dumb, I cannot do this?” More than likely if they cannot master their lessons, it is due to lack of practice or parental involvement. We set our children up for failure by enrolling them in disciplines that require practice to succeed and not making the practice a habit and a priority.

In my opinion, the responsibility to ensure the practice happens daily lies with the parents, at least through 6th or 7th grade.

So why is your child involved in piano lessons and what kind of ROI do you want? Their future is in your hands for only a short time; make the most of it while you can.

By Suzanne Bailey, Edited by Mary Hunter
11/3/04