Beginning your child’s music education can be an exciting and fun time, filled with a great deal of enthusiasm from your very eager youngster.

In some instances, however, new students may attend their first lesson and feel overwhelmed or shy, especially upon entering a new atmosphere. This is completely understandable!

For most students, as this is a new environment for them it is important to recognize that at this age, it is very natural for a child’s interests to vary slightly, especially while settling into a routine.

In most cases, children quickly adapt to their surroundings and learn to take part in activities. If you feel as though this may take longer than you expected, there are steps you can follow as a parent to ensure a positive outcome for you and your child!

Tip 1

Many times, your child will naturally mirror a parents emotions, so it is important for parents show their enjoyment and enthusiasm through the lesson, which in-turn can keep students engaged, enforcing a ‘can-do’ attitude.

Tip 2

At the beginning stages especially, affirmations can help with confidence and overall attitude when approaching something new. So praise all their achievements, even the little ones - We know as proud parents, this isn’t a difficult task!

Tip 3

It is always great to have open communication with your teacher. As experienced educators, teachers are able to provide suitable advice while creating attainable goals for your child if any extra motivation is required. Teachers are always a great first point of call, and we highly recommend if you do have any concerns about their time in class to speak with an educator first.

Tip 4

That said, we do understand classes commence and finish within one hour, so if you feel your time is limited, don’t forget there are helpful Customer Service team members to speak with who are able to offer educational support and advice!

Tip 5

Most importantly, it is essential to remember that perseverance is key! Although children begin their musical journey at one point, their minds have the ability to learn at a rapid pace. Over time spent in class making new friends and learning in a fun group environment, and with encouraging parents, your child can remain motivated to progress, practice and perform to the best of their abilities!

We are always here to provide assistance, so for any further information, contact our Customer Support Team on 1300 139 506 or alternatively, email hello@yamahamusic.edu.au

"TEACHING IS THE ACT OF SHARING THE KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY OTHERS WITH HOPE THAT SOMEDAY IN SOME WAY, IT AGAIN WILL BE PASSED ON"

With over 20,000 Yamaha teachers throughout the world, we recognize the important role the Teacher plays in your child's education.

Teachers have the ability to leave a positive and lasting impression, especially when sharing their passion and love for music with like-minded young students.

Recently, we asked our teachers what they love most about the Yamaha Music Education System and what inspires their passion for teaching.

When asked about the Yamaha Music Education System, Rebecca said 'I love that the Yamaha Method has creativity, imagination and enjoyment at its core. Gradually and systematically the children learn to wonder, discover, explore, notice, and master skills to a great depth. The method is designed to develop a life-long love of learning music'.

Yifan, stating another core component of our Yamaha Music Education System, says 'the "listen - sing - play - read" model imitates the way how young kids learn to speak their native language. By not starting the music learning experience with reading from the score, the system nurtures a genuine interest in music among kids which could ignite life-long love of music'.

Something our educator, Matthew, especially values are the opportunities Yamaha offers students when learning to compose their own music from basic fundamental activities in improvisation, right through to the opportunities students are presented with when presenting their own compositions for the annual Junior Original Concert.

Although teachers can find varying positive outcomes for their students' progress through the Yamaha Music Education System, one thing that remains constant is their ability to help, guide and motivate each student, contributing to their development, skills and overall passion for music. This level of encouragement comes for their love of music and passing this passion on to their students.

Hawa shares 'Music is about self-expression. It's a form of communication that is indescribable in words. It's just amazing how one could convey their feelings through playing an instrument. Music makes me happy!' Yifan also articulates his love of music, expressing that music is his 'sanctuary', which he can always count on to seek comfort.

While Christian expresses his enjoyment for being a Yamaha Teacher stems from the energy involved with a group lesson, he also points out that it is very important for him to see his students having a good time.

Choosing to be a Yamaha Teacher can also be a gratifying, sometimes challenging but an always worthwhile experience.

Currently one of four teachers in WA, Jeanne was originally a Yamaha student in Thailand, beginning her musical journey at just four years of age. She points out that during her time spent at Yamaha as a student, the Yamaha Music Education System allowed her to train her ears and develop perfect pitch, an ability only 1 in 10,000 people possess! Now, Jeanne teaches students her favourite piece, 'Tug of War', originally taught to her when she was a student in the Junior Music Course.

Yamaha Music Education is determined to share the progress and skills each student makes while on their journey with Yamaha. We believe teachers play one of the most important roles during this time, and it is with their ongoing guidance and commitment that a high level of skill can be attained through the Yamaha Music Education System.

Since first opening in Australia in 1970, Yamaha Music Education has presented a variety of courses to students, always keeping in mind its core features; to offer a timely and comprehensive education.

By listening, singing, playing, reading and composing, Yamaha Music Education aims to foster the musical sensitivity and development of each student to enhance their learning potential and develop a lifelong love of music!

It is also an incredible reward for teachers and staff members to witness students develop into young musicians, applying their imagination to nurture the ability that stimulates creativity.

Hannah is one student who thoroughly appreciates the progression her Junior Music Course offers, stating her enjoyment for playing the keyboard stems from her love of the Yamaha song's taught in class.

Now progressing to the highest level of this course (Junior Music Level Four) in Semester Two, Hannah will gain an even greater understanding of the music language as she takes on composition and prepares for the opportunity to partake in a Fundamental Skills Survey.

Like many other students, Hannah's interest in music extends further than her love of piano, as she shows great enthusiasm when talking about the possibility of one day learning the drums.

Based on the ear and rhythm training conducted throughout the Yamaha Music Education System, it is always great to see students appreciating other instruments and sounds!

Hannah remains dedicated to her current Yamaha Junior Music Course, sharing that it is a priority to create a practice routine, putting time aside 3-4 times per week. When asked what her favourite musical piece is, she praised the tune 'March of the Little Bears and Little Bluebird'.

While speaking with Hannah's mum, Sylvia, she expressed her pleasure when seeing her daughter playing music. Sylvia hopes that upon progressing further with Yamaha Music Education, Hannah's passion for music and skills continue to grow.

As parents remain such an integral part of their children's love of music, it is refreshing and incredibly wonderful to hear Sylvia show her encouragement for Hannah's talents, stating 'if she ever decided to undertake her future in music, I will always support her.

We are always enlightened to hear of the encouragement parents offer as well as witness the influence in-class activities can have on a students long-term effect and love of music!

Each beginner course allows students to truly learn to appreciate music, and when taking the opportunity to progress their skills, a student's motivation is further propelled, enabling them to remain interested and express themselves through music!

At Yamaha Music Education, our students, parents and teachers remain the most integral part of our education system.

By providing students with a comprehensive music education that offers support throughout their musical journey, Yamaha Music Education are able to witness their progression, seeing them blossom into young, talented and motivated musicians.

Michael Obuobisa-Nyampong is currently a Yamaha student, participating in our Junior Advanced Course. He is one of many students who began their musical journey from one of our primary programs, Junior Music Course.

Yamaha Junior Music Course is a significant introductory program designed to offer strong musical development for 4 and 5 year old children. With more than 50 years of Yamaha Foundation research conducted to support a young child's music skills, our Junior Music Course remains one of the most popular courses in our program.

Seeing the progression and improvement Michael has made since beginning with Yamaha, we decided to sit down with Michael and his father to find out more about his time with us as well as his interests within Yamaha Music Education.

Hi Michael, thank you for taking the time to speak with me today! If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?

I’m 9 turning 10 in two weeks!

Two weeks? Wow, mum and dad must be busy preparing something exciting for you! I heard from your dad, Michael Sr that you’ve been in the Yamaha programs for a few years now. What do you enjoy about the Yamaha Music program?

I like Yamaha because I like the structure of teaching, but they teach it in a fun and exciting way.

Do you ever find piano challenging to learn?

Yes, sometimes learning the piano is challenging but I like it when it is because it pushes me forward to learn new things.

It is amazing to hear that you are enjoying using Yamaha lessons to develop a strong determination to achieve anything you focus in life. Fantastic! Your dad told me he placed a piano in your room. What were your thoughts on that?

Well, I think my room is the best place to practice. I can practice whenever I want. It’s fun.

Do you have any favourite pieces?

I like the ensemble pieces in the Melody & Harmony and Pianoforte books. They’re all challenging but it’s fun when I come to play them in my Saturday classes.

Do you have a role model or inspiration?

My parents. They’re always there for me.

After our interview with Michael, his father Michael Senior shared some incredible insight into his sons passion for music and explained the influence his Yamaha teacher has had throughout his time with us. We were so blown away by Michael Seniors thoughtful comments, we felt compelled to share words from the perspective of a parent.

“At first he didn’t enjoy the piano but music runs in the family; I was not surprised he eventually became one with it. My method of belief is discipline. Not the intention to control him, discipline is purely out of love for wanting the best for him and his future.

I put a piano in his room. Sometimes I’d wake up to him playing at 04:00am. That is the love of music. Sometimes he will refuse to go to sleep until he has completed practice or finished playing a piece. He has come to discipline himself.

I think his teacher, Jessica, also really contributed to him finding his passion for music and realising his talent. She would often mention to him, “Michael, some day you will be a great composer, you will”. That stayed with him and he started to believe it himself because his teacher believed in him! It was fantastic.

Commitment and self-discipline. I see it in him and I do it out of knowing what is right for him, wanting the best possible path for him. Music is powerful and he will be grateful like I was with my mother.”

Interview undertaken at Baulkham Hills by Yuki Inoue