Teachers: Ms. Margo Sparks - Thursday, January 1, 2009

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.

---

Free Kindermusik Classes and Early Enrollment Deadline August 1st! - Sunday, July 27, 2008

Hello friends! The summer is quickly drawing to a close, and I wanted to remind you that we're taking enrollments for the Kindermusik Fall Semester. If you register and pay your deposit by August 1, you'll receive $20 off your tuition for the semester as an early enrollment bonus! And don't forget, younger siblings and children of students enrolled in private lessons get a 50% discount on Kindermusik tuition. Let me know if you need me to send you a registration form, or you can register over the phone, or at the front desk or online.

I'll be hosting free Kindermusik classes on July 30th (for those wishing to see what a class is like and still get that early bird special!) and again from August 2-16th during the International Demo Days promotion with Kindermusik International. Please check the schedule or ask Ms. Tabby for class availability. If you'd like me to schedule a custom demonstration class for you and 2 friends, please don't hesitate to call me at 713-306-4023 and I'll be happy to do that.

I know a lot of you would love to participate in Kindermusik, but it is financially a stretch right now. Don't let this tough time interfere with enhancing your child's development! Here are some creative ways to help pay for the class:

1. Gift certificates are always available! Have grandma or grandpa, aunts and uncles, etc. contact me for any sized amount! Family and friends love to help with Kindermusik, especially when our children already have so many toys!
2. Sign up by AUGUST 1 to get that $20 early bird discount on tuition!
3. Bring a friend to Kindermusik, and if they sign up, you will receive $10.00 off of tuition up to $30.00!
4. Make EVERY DOLLAR count with Kindermusik! Other programs are fun, but Kindermusik is fun AND educational. At just $12.00 a class, this is the best value per dollar that you will find for your child. Here is what the experts say...

"Children participating in Kindermusik improved 28 – 37 percentile points in their standard intelligence tests over children without Kindermusik." -Sam Houston State University Study – May 1998.
"Four-year-olds exposed to Kindermusik have better self-control than children with less Kindermusik history." - George Mason University Study – May 2005.

5. Scholarships are available through private donors and the Ruth D. Anderson Children's fund. I have already applied for funding from the RDACF at Kindermusik International, because I want every child to be able to participate in this program. I donated my time and energy so several families could participate last semester for only the cost of materials. If you want to donate to this scholarship fund, please contact me!

I hope these ideas are helpful for you. I value your commitment to Kindermusik, and to supporting local music programs. If you have any other questions or concerns, or want to know which class will be best for your child, please contact me! My schedule is up and running on the website! I have classes for each age group from infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers to children from 5-7 years. Have a great rest of the summer, and I look forward to being together again beginning September 1st!

Musically,
Ms. Tabby
713-306-4023
kindermusik@harmonymusicstudio.com