Playing for Change: Stand By Me - Friday, January 30, 2009



From the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music", comes the first of many "songs around the world" being released independently. Featured is a cover of the Ben E. King classic by musicians around the world adding their part to the song as it travelled the globe.


Spring Semester begins next week! Sign up now to save your spot... PLUS! Materials have arrived! - Wednesday, January 28, 2009

For all those who have registered for Spring Semester of Kindermusik (which starts next week!) your home materials have arrived! If you have paid your $70 registration fee for the semester, you can come by the studio Wed-Friday between 3:30 and 7:30 pm, or Sunday from 1-6 pm to pick them up, if you'd like to get a head start on exploring your new books, instruments, and music CDs. Please also pick up your free enrollment gift: A CD of great songs called "Pick A Song and Sing Along!"

Children enrolling in Young Child class will not be able to pick up their materials early, as it takes me a little time to assemble your home materials. They will be ready on your first day of class, but YC students are still welcome to pick up the free CD at the studio.

If you haven't registered yet, there is still space in a few of the classes, and we accept registrations throughout the semester: (Click the link to register)

Preschoolers (3-5 years) - Imagine That (Monday 1:00 pm) - 1 spot left
Babies (0-18 months) - Village (Tuesday 10:00 am) - 4 spots left
- (Tuesday 1:00 pm) -1 spot left
Toddlers (1 1/2 to 3 years) - Our Time (Tuesday 11:00 am) - 3 spots left

School-age (5-7 years) - Young Child (Tuesday 6:00 pm) - 3 spots left

Many parents first consider Kindermusik because of the developmental and educational benefits to their child. In class, they quickly see that Kindermusik offers something for the grownups, too. Kindermusik helps to make parenting a little bit easier through in-class tips, child development insights and activities in our weekly emails, not to mention the community of other parents and caregivers who attend class together. We invite you to join in the conversation yourself. See how other parents use Kindermusik to help with potty training, toddler tantrums, getting a preschooler out of bed in the morning, and more on the Kindermusik Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kindermusik/24135466916

For 30 years, Kindermusik has remained constant as the single best choice you can make for your child today.

New families are welcome to schedule a class visit with Ms. Tabby. Classes break down to less than $17 per week - even including your materials! And don't forget, we offer 10% off tuition for siblings, and classes are just $45 per month with no contract to tie you in for the whole semester.


Look forward to seeing many of you next week!

Sincerely,
Tabby



Cell: 713-306-4023 Studio: 281-992-9800
Harmony Music Studio - "Where the Gift of Music Lasts a Lifetime!"
Serving our community since 1986
http://www.harmonymusicstudio.com


Music Lessons or Kindermusik? - Thursday, January 22, 2009

Should I choose Kindermusik or Private Lessons?

Q: My kindergartener or 1st grader shows interest in learning music. Should I enroll her in private lessons? Or Kindermusik?

As her parents, only you can make that decision, but here is some information that may help you to make the right choice for your child.


Q: What is Kindermusik for the Young Child?

Kindermusik for the Young Child is the culmination of early childhood musical development; in addition to movement, instrumental play, singing, and creating, YC students begin to learn musical notation (note and rhythmic), and begin learning to play a melody instrument, the glockenspiel. We also learn pre-keyboarding skills to transfer the knowledge of the glockenspiel to the piano. YC was designed for Kindergarten and First Grade students. Please be aware that Young Child is a sequential, two year curriculum - new students may join in second (Spring) semester as class space allows, with the understanding that the family and child will work with the teacher to catch up on concepts and learning covered in the first (Fall) semester.

Children in YC class are beginning to read, enjoy puzzles and games, and like to socialize with other children in their age range. They follow directions reliably, and can answer abstract questions, such as “how do you think a composer can make music sound like birds?” He or she enjoys singing, is eager to learn, and can work independently for short periods towards a set goal. These children are ready to begin understanding concepts of practice, proper handling of an instrument, and playing a tune as opposed to exploring ways of creating sound on an instrument. These fundamental ideas are the foundation for Young Child, and through them, we learn about music in a way that makes the learning more natural and easy than private lessons are for children just entering gradeschool.


Q: When Should My Child Begin Private Instrumental Instruction?

As a general rule, most children are not ready to begin formal instrumental training before the age of 6 or 7 for piano or string instruments, and most instructors will not accept students younger than 8 or 9 for other orchestral or band instruments. Before that, they tend to lack the size, stamina, and outcome-oriented commitment to make lessons an enjoyable and successful experience. Children are individuals, with a wide range of aptitude, but all children possess the ability to enjoy lifelong music making, and this ability can be greatly influenced by how we choose to approach their earliest experiences. From experience, most teachers will tell you that the majority of students do not begin to progress rapidly in piano lessons, for example, until they are at least 7 years old.

Kindermusik contains all if the needed elements to develop a child who is musically aware and who has the solid foundation to make lessons a natural and joyous next step. Children who grow up in Kindermusik have had chances to succeed, be nurtured and encouraged in their early creative explorations, and develop a core of music theory instilled through voice, body, and mind. Music for them is a natural part of their environment, and they have gained the language of note, rhythm, and expression to help them as they select which instrument they most wish to make their own. Many experts agree that early musical enrichment lays a foundation for musicianship which may accelerate later progress on an instrument.

Children who graduate from Kindermusik for the Young Child have a strong basis in theory, musicianship, and instrumental technique. More importantly, they have been allowed to develop the whole child through music, in a supportive and reassuring atmosphere, which lays the groundwork for a lifetime of positive outlook not only towards music learning, but towards learning in general.

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Gold Cup Parent Letter - Monday, January 12, 2009

Gold Cup Festival 2009

It’s that time again - time to register for the largest Music Festival in the Houston area. Thousands of students and several hundred teachers from music clubs all over Texas enter each year. Each student will have the opportunity to perform solo or ensemble pieces before a qualified Judge. Our new teachers’ organization, San Jacinto Federated Music Club, will be hosting Gold Cup this year. This festival is not a competition; each student is graded as an individual on the level that the teacher feels is appropriate. The audition is private. The student will enter a room with 2 Judges present, but only one Judge will rate the performance. No teacher or parent is allowed to enter the room unless they are turning pages for an accompanist.

Date: Saturday; February 28th or March 7th

Time: Approximately 9:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Location: TBA
Entry Fee: $ 18.00 per student, per event (each event is 2 songs)

Deadline: January 31st before mid-night


This festival is popular because the students are able to set a long term goal. Each time the student enters this annual festival, the score they make are worth points. When the student accumulates 15 points in a certain event, they earn their first Gold Cup trophy. The student are required to advance to a more difficult piece of music as they continue to participate in Gold Cup through the years, giving them a challenge and a goal to work towards. For each consecutive 15 points, the Gold Cup trophy becomes larger in size. Harmony Music Studio has had the pleasure of giving out a 45 point trophy which takes at least 9 years of study.

The points are 1-5 with 5 being for a Superior rating. All students who earn a superior will then be eligible and invited to participate in the All-State Festival which takes place in May. The All-State festival creates another level of excitement because the student will then actually compete against students all over Texas. Only one student can win “All-State Musician” in each level and event. It is a great honor to be chosen as an All-State Musician.

Most students already have their Gold Cup pieces picked out and have been working on them. If you are interested in this festival and would like your child to register, then it is vitally important to turn in your registration as soon as possible. The teacher will do everything in their power to help the student get ready for that day, but the student must be encouraged to practice and be willing to put forth the effort in order to be totally prepared. The entry fee is non-refundable.

Students who are beginners with less than 6 months of study may not be ready for this event, but any transfer student who has had more than a year of study should be able to prepare on such short notice. The teacher can pick out the music and have them ready if they are willing and able to put forth the effort.

This is not an all day event; the student will be assigned a time slot and weekend at least a week before the festival. They will need to arrive 15 minutes early to register. The student is free to leave as soon as they perform. For example: If your time slot is 2:00 p.m. then you will need to arrive by 1:45 p.m. and will probably be done by 3:00 at the latest.

The Theory Test will also be offered at the festival. The Theory test exam points are recorded just like the other events. The teacher will give practice test to the students each week to make sure they are prepared to take that test. Some students may prefer to do the test only which would be a great option for the beginners or students who are not quite ready to perform.

Most vocal and instrumental entries require the student to have a live accompanist. You may provide your own or the studio will provide one for you for an additional fee of $25 per event. Please include your accompanist payment with your entry fees.

To register, please complete this form and return it to the front desk of the studio along with your entry and accompanist fees.

GoldCupRegistrationHMS.pdf

Thanks!
Your Faculty @ Harmony Music Studio

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Kindermusik Demo Days January 26-27! -

January 26 and 27th Ms. Tabby will be offering free DEMO DAYS classes at the studio to preview the exciting activities and songs we'll learn in Kindermusik this semester. You can sign up for FREE by visiting the Kindermusik portal for Harmony Music Studio. OR if these class times just don't work for you, get together with at least 3 of your friends and I'll host a free class for you, too! Email kindermusik at harmonymusicstudio.com to set up your class or if you have any questions!

Day & Time Unit Ages Teacher Location Price
Tue @ 10:00 AM starts 1/27/09 Demo Days! 0-18m Ms. Tabby Harmony Music Studio $0.00 Register!
Tue @ 6:00 PM starts 1/27/09 Demo Days! 0-7 Ms. Tabby Harmony Music Studio $0.00 Register!
Tue @ 11:00 AM starts 1/27/09 Demo Days! 16m-3.5 Ms. Tabby Harmony Music Studio $0.00 Register!
Mon @ 1:00 PM starts 1/26/09 Demo Days! 3-5 Ms. Tabby Harmony Music Studio $0.00 Register!


Hope to see you there!

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Ms. Tabby joins the Bay Area Chorus! - Saturday, January 10, 2009

Earlier this week, Ms. Tabby was invited to join the Bay Area Chorus, and so without further ado: The press release for the first concert she'll be part of! :)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Dynamic song leader Nick Page conducts the 80-member Bay Area Chorus and the Bay Area Youth Singers in performances of his compositions and arrangements of traditional folk songs and spirituals on Sunday, February 8 at 4:00 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran church, 18220 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay. During his multicultural sing-alongs guest artist Page will involve the entire audience in a joyful celebration of world music traditions. “Spotlight on Singing” features performances by the BAC under the direction of Keith Dixon and BAYS, conducted by Deborah Tidwell.


For more information, go to www.bayareachorus.org or call 713.684-6030.

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Monday Family Time Class at Harmony? -

Are you interested in an All-Ages Family Time class at Harmony Music Studio? Fill out my brief survey to let me know what you think.

Click Here to take survey

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Last day for early enrollment discount in Kindermusik! - Friday, January 9, 2009

If you sign up today, as soon as I get your registration notification, I'll go change your tuition price from $180 to $160. This discount is only good for students who pay in full at the time of registration, and today, January 10th, is the last day of the promotion!

See HERE for details about each class and to sign up.

Call or email Ms. Tabby if you have any questions! - 713-306-4023 or kindermusik @ harmonymusicstudio.com


Pearland Kindermusik classes at Westside Events Center - Beltway and 288 - Thursday, January 8, 2009

There is still space in the three Kindermusik classes offered at the Pearland Parks & Rec Westside events center! These classes begin January 26, but must meet minimum enrollment by the 19th, so sign up today!

Our Time - class for Toddlers 1 1/2 to 3 years - 2 spaces left! Mondays @ 10 am Fiddle-dee-dee We'll meet many animal characters in our books, activities, and songs—each specifically chosen for a toddler's emerging interests and physical skills. With silly, bumpy lap bounces we'll help toddlers develop rhythm while further developing their ever-emerging language skills. With a special stringed instrument emphasis in the music from class, parents can bring home the violin, cello, and orchestra sounds to help their toddlers stay happy and engaged learners at home, too. Home Materials: Double CD featuring songs from class; two interactive storybooks—This Little Piggy Played the Fiddle and Animal Serenade to develop early literacy skills; Home Activity Book, and a pair of Fiddlestick instruments. Kindermusik International requires every family participating to purchase At Home Materials. A $55 supply fee is due to your instructor the first day of class A minimum of 6 must register 7 days prior to the class start date. No class the week of Spring Break.

Imagine That! class for Preschoolers 3 to 5 years - 12 spaces left! Mondays @ 11 am Cities! Busy Places ~ Friendly Faces In this unit, sidewalks, elevators, skyscrapers, and world-traveling photographers are the theme. Learning through the pretend play that preschoolers adore, we'll be rhythmically busy playing storytelling games and handcrafting city 'buildings' from wax paper at home so we can make a cityscape in class! Plus every activity has some at-home adaptations so the parent can take part in the learning. With a pair of resonator bars as a featured instrument, and a multicultural, jazzy collection of music, preschoolers will develop the social and intellectual skills they'll need in school. Kindermusik International requires every family participating to purchase At Home Materials. This fee of $63 is due to your instructor on the first day of class. Students will not be permitted to participate in the weekly class until materials are purchased. Sibling kits are available for families.

Family Time class for ALL AGES! Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers - 8 spaces left! Mondays @ 9 am Movin’ & Groovin’ is a romping, rolling, stretching good time for the whole family. This ten-lesson unit of Family Time will explore lots of different ways to move—high and low, fast and slow, zigzag, curvy, and more. Family members will chug around the classroom like trains, clip-clop like horses, and roll over like puppy dogs. They’ll hear a story about playing tag together in Can You Catch Me?, and read about a jungle hokey-pokey in Put Your Left Paw In. Show your best groovin’ moves—it’s time for Movin’ & Groovin’. A minimum of 6 participants must register 7 days prior to class start date. A supply fee of $60 is due to the instructor the first day of class. Home Materials: Two Books—Can You Catch Me? and Put Your Left Paw In, Two Home CDs, Family Guide, Rascal the monkey hand puppet and finger puppet, and two monkey den-den drums.

You can read more about Kindermusik classes at http://www.kindermusik.com

Direct any questions to the Pearland Parks department.

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Phone: 281-652-1673
Fax: 281-412-2659
Hotline: 281-652-1787
Email: parkshelpdesk@ci.pearland.tx.us

Ms. Tabby is taking these classes over for her friend and colleague, Kathy Smith, who has retired from Kindermusik due to health concerns. We are still offering classes at Harmony Music Studio in addition to these pearland classes.

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The Happy New Year Mini-Recital - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Harmony Music Studio
proudly sponsors
The Happy New Year Mini-Recital

Date: Saturday, Januar 31, 2009

Where: Harmony Music Studio

Time: Assigned after you register

Entry Fee: NONE

Deadline: January 25, 2009


Students of all levels will be invited to share music with family and friends. The studio recitals can be the perfect atmosphere for the beginner performing for the first time. It will also be a great opportunity for students who are getting ready for the Gold Cup Festival. Memorization is not required and selection is not limited. Entry forms and the registration basket are at the front entrance to the studio.

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Teachers: Mr. Dave Carpenter - Thursday, January 1, 2009

Mr. Dave Carpenter - Guitar and Bass Guitar Instructor

Mr. Dave joined our studio after his wife, Ms. Laurie, came to teach here. He is very experienced and knowledgeable and enjoys playing many different styles.



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Teachers: Mr. Joel Dawsey -

Mr. Joel Dawsey - Piano Instructor
Mr. Joel joined the faculty in 2008, and has quickly become one of the most popular teachers in the studio.
Currently Joel is a music student at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas pursuing a degree in Piano Performance. Having studied the piano for 8 years, he has participated in numerous performance and teaching opportunities. He has performed as soloist and with ensemble with the San Jacinto College Wind Symphony under the direction of Concert Band Director Karen Marston. He has studied under distinguished teachers such as Julliard Graduate and Director of Piano Studies at the HSPVA, Rodolfo Morales and Rice University Graduate Prof. Sarah Spencer. For the past year he has had the privilege of teaching privately in the Jacinto City, Pasadena and Friendswood areas. He strives to create a positive and challenging learning experience for his students so that they may grow as a musician and come to really love music.

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Teachers: Ms. Laurie Carpenter -

Ms. Laurie Carpenter - Piano, Guitar and Voice Instructor


Ms. Laurie joined the studio in August of 2007.



"I began toying around the piano at age 4. My mother and father were both taking lessons and I would try to copy what they were doing. After a while, mom & dad stopped their lessons and I was the only one playing. We had many instruments in my home, but I had always chosen the piano - I just liked to play. I began taking lessons when I was 5 from a classical teacher. After she left, I would secretly play jazz and blues. I still play and practice each day. I perform with several groups, as a soloist and also as an accompanist. I am a Jazz Studies major from UNT and I have been teaching piano for more than 15 years. I teach all levels and styles and emphasize learning theory as well as keyboarding techniques. I play professionally in the Houston area and I have been accompanist at the GCMTA Gold Cup Vocal event for the past four years. All ages are welcome, however, I generally do not take students who are younger than six unless they demonstrate advanced dexterity."




Ms. Laurie accompanies one of Ms. Tabby's voice students






Playing a duet with one of her students



You can visit Ms. Laurie on Youtube and get an idea of her amazing skill on the piano by visiting DCStudio's Videos. Here's a favorite example, Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy."





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About Harmony Music Studio -

Our teachers are as varied in personality, age, and experience as musical styles are diverse and creative. We each have our own style, and will work with each individual student to create a lesson plan that will best benefit that student. We offer private instruction in a variety of instruments for students from 5 and up, depending on the instrument. The more complex the instrument, the older the student will have to be to begin studying. For younger students, we offer Kindermusik, a wonderful music and movement program that introduces children to music in a positive and fun way, as well as providing a foundation for all other areas of child development.

Harmony Music Studio was founded in 1986 by Ms. Margaret Sparks. She began teaching piano lessons to students in the community when she was attending college majoring in music. Back then, she simply called it "Margo's Piano Studio" and taught from within her Dickinson home. As the studio grew, Margo realized that she would need help in order to keep taking on new students, so in 1998, she invited one of her graduating senior students to take over her beginner piano lessons, and so Ms. Lydia Rodriguez joined the studio.

Over the years, the studio has moved several times, and in 2001 it was in Webster. At that time, Ms. Tabby Worthington was looking for an accompanist to rehearse for an upcoming audition with, and Ms. Margo agreed to do it. As they rehearsed, Ms. Margo realized that having a voice specialist would further broaden the opportunity for growth within the studio, and she asked Ms. Tabby to join the faculty. There were already a few students within the studio who asked to sing during their piano lessons, so they began to study voice in earnest with Ms. Tabby.

As we continued to grow, we realized that we needed more space, so Ms. Margo remodeled part of her home for us to use as a studio, and we changed the name to Harmony Music Studio to reflect the changes we'd made by offering multiple instruments. At that time, Ms. Margo offered Flute lessons, and Ms. Lydia offered Clarinet lessons and music theory classes, so between the 3 teachers we were offering 5 subjects. When we moved into Ms. Margo's home, our business really took off, and we added guitar and drums to the studio's repertoire with several guitar teachers, a drum teacher, and other instrumentalists.

We offer Kindermusik classes, as well, to provide something for the very young in addition to our traditional private lessons. As we continue to grow, we are found we had just outgrown the space at Ms. Margo's house, so we have moved into a brand-new facility, at FM 528 and Townes Road, in the Towne Square shopping center.





Contact Harmony

Harmony Music Studio
3746-A FM 528 at Townes Road
Friendswood, TX 77546
Phone: 281-992-9800

Info @ HarmonyMusicStudio.com
Google Map to the Studio

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Teachers: Ms. Jo-Ann Palana-Stone -

Ms. Jo-Ann Palana-Stone - Drum Instructor

Ms. Jo-Ann joined the studio in August of 2007.

"I started playing in 1967 and have studied extensively. I began with Mr. Baron at Geen's Drum shop in Providence, Rhode Island, where I studied old-school march and the rudiments of rhythm. Through the years, I have also studied with Steve Amsler (Berklee), Alan Dawson (world-reknown creator of the Berklee Method), Max Roach (UMass at Amherst), Rich Consciline (The Drummer's Collective) and Jazz great Michael Carvin. I have been teaching percussion since 1980, both in privately in New York, and with the Academy of Music in Ft. Piece, Florida. I have been performing professionally and consistently since 1967 with many well-known artists. I've been around the world, playing and touring professionally in Taiwan, Russia, Panama, Barbados, and St. Thomas."

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Teachers: Mr. Anthony Contreras -

Mr. Anthony "Tony" Contreras - Guitar Instructor
Mr. Tony joined the faculty of Harmony Music Studio in 2007. He enjoys performing, both with his students and with his band, and is well versed in many playing styles. Here are a few videos of him accompanying student performers at recitals.

















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Teachers: Ms. Kimberly Ellison -

Ms. Kimberly Ellison - Piano, Voice & Flute Instructor

Ms. Kim joined the studio in May of 2007. She is currently offering lessons in Voice, Piano, Theory and Flute.

"I have been actively involved in music since I can remember. I was raised in a family where music was part of what held us together. I am influenced by many people, musicians as well as non-musicians, who seek knowledge and understanding of their world. Music is something I understand and love and so I guess most of my passion for teaching music is, in part, a result of knowing people who share the same interests as I do. I have always been curious about music. I am a learning student as well as a teacher, so every opportunity helps me gain and share a greater understanding of music. I love all instruments. However, the piano and flute have been a focus of mine since I love how I feel when I am playing them. I love the feeling of singing and being able to share something special with other people. I began singing very young and continued to work in the theatre. I began playing flute when I was in 4th grade but was drawn to the piano for a long while. I began playing piano when I was 20 and spent much time developing a greater knowledge of music. I have had some of the most wonderful people as teachers so I have developed a desire to learn additional instruments in the future. I practice a lot. It is something that is crucial in progressing in music. I practice anywhere from 2 to 5 hours a day. It is a lot more difficult now since I am older and I have more responsibilities. I perform with the San Jacinto College Steel Band and a Chamber Chorale, both of which are very rewarding and challenging. I have performed with many different groups; city, state, and world wide. Although, I love to perform on stage, I am very eager to admit that I enjoy the theoretical and creative demention of music most of all. [When asked what kind of music I like] I would have to say that I love many different songs for different reasons. Some pieces that come to mind when I think about what moves me the most, I would say Chopin- any of the octurnes, Debussy-Claire De Lune, Dave Brubek-Take Five, I love Bach inventions, they are fun, and such a finger workout. I grew up playing a lot of songs by Jewel Kilcher on the guitar and piano. I loved playing her songs and singing them. I also began to write my own songs. I love to cook in my spare time and shop at resale shops. I really love playing the steel pan. I work in my garden, I love to plant flowers. I also love to write comic strips and find really cool treasures in unlikely places. I enjoy getting to know people and love talking about music. "






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Teachers: Ms. Tabby Worthington -

Ms. Tabby Worthington - Voice, Piano & Kindermusik Instructor

Ms. Tabby has been with the studio since 2001. She offers instruction mainly in voice, but occasionally will take on a piano student or two. Ms. Tabby attended the University of Nevada Las Vegas as a Vocal Music Education Major, and has studied with Mr. Tom McKinney as an apprentice of the "One True Voice" method. She has performed in many productions, including:

  • "Bye, Bye Birdie"
  • "Anything Goes"
  • "The Pink Panther Strikes Again"
  • "Guys & Dolls"
  • "Into The Woods" - Selected scenes
  • "The Old Maid and the Thief" - Selected scenes
  • "La Traviata" and "Candide" - Selected scenes
  • "The Merry Widow"
  • "The Magic Flute"
Ms. Tabby encourages all students to try out different styles of music instead of focusing on just one. "I believe that having a well-rounded background in all kinds of music makes for better musicians," she says. Students in her studio will study music theory and sight singing in addition to working on solo songs. We will study Jazz, Blues, Contemporary, Gospel or Contemporary Christian, Sacred, Classical, Baroque, Musical Theater, and Romantic styles throughout the year on a rotating basis.

In 2007, Ms. Tabby graduated from Kindermusik University and became a Licensed Kindermusik Educator, which makes her a special expert on early childhood development through music and movement. Kindermusik is a wonderful program for children from infants to 7 year olds. In the classroom, we work on enhancing the development of all areas of the child through music and movement, including cognitive, social, musical, emotional, physical and language development in fun activities.

You can view Ms. Tabby's YouTube videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/tabbyfoo - many are of students from the studio, but you'll catch a glimpse of Ms. Tabby's family and pets here, too. She enjoys art (drawing, painting, photography), prime-time TV & movies, and video games when she's not working in the garden.

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Teachers: Ms. Margo Sparks -

Ms. Margo Sparks - Studio Owner, Piano Instructor


Ms. Margo founded the studio in 1986 under the name of "Margo's Piano Studio." Fresh out of college, she began with a handful of students working out of her home as a piano teacher. She fondly remembers the pride she felt as her students performed in the first studio recital in 1988.

Beginning with a degree in Arts, Ms. Margo built a reputation for herself as she gained experience, meeting the challenges brought by each student and modifying her teaching style to suit their individual needs. Her passion for performance was overtaken by her love of teaching, and she realized that music is a gift that lasts a lifetime.

"Music has been a part of my life for more than 30 years. At the age of 9, my parents gave me the opportunity to take piano lessons. My first piano teacher, Mrs. Spam, would welcome me each week with a smile. Practice wasn't a problem. My family used to beg me to get off the piano. If a friend came over, I asked them to sing so I could play the piano. The TV and the radio were my enemies. My Father was my biggest influence in music. He served as a music minister in his early 20's. We moved a lot, and everywhere he went he would direct the music in the local church. By the time I was twelve I was singing and playing the piano in church quite frequently."

Over time, Ms. Margo has built up her studio to such a degree that she has hired two additional teachers to assist her and expand the studio's offerings. Because her studio is now offering more than piano lessons, she wanted our name to reflect our broader scope. On April 24th of 2002 we registered our studio as Harmony Music Studio with the Harris County Courthouse. We have since expanded to a new facility in Friendswood, and now provide quality music instruction to over 125 students of all ages.



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