Welcome & Thank you for visiting our page !
Greetings! Welcome to our studio's homepage and to the wonderful and exciting world of music! We are a small family-run music studio proudly serving Summit community. We are passionate about bringing music into people's lives through teaching, performing, and providing opportunities for individuals of various ages or abilities to pursue their artistic dreams. Our teachers are competent, enthusiastic and experienced. Our lesson plans are based on methodologies in pedagogy and instrument proficiency developed by the world-renowned musicians and educators, practiced in the US, Europe & Russia, and backed by years of experience. We offer numerous year-round performance opportunities. Students, based on their choice, will enjoy highly competitive regional competitions, or friendly, low-pressure recitals for friends & family. We are proud and excited to have students as young as 3 years old, (in our Kindermusik classes), as well as adult senior students. Our pupils range from a beginner practicing music for pure pleasure, to an advanced professional continuing to work on his/her trade with our Master teachers. We are thrilled to do what we do and to provide you with tools to help you accomplish your goals & dreams.Our Mission
Our Mission is to share our love & passion for music with you. We would like to pass on our knowledge & experience to help you become the best you can be. Whether you are interested in general music education, aspiring to a career in music, or just exploring, we would like to provide you with the tools & the fun encouraging atmosphere to help you get there.Our Name
Scherzo (pronounced 'sker tzo') is Italian for "fun", "playful". As a music term, it is used to describe a fast-moving composition performed in a playful, humorous manner, which is often a small part or a movement of a larger work. This name fits us well and we believe that a high-quality education can also be engaging, fun, and interesting. In fact, a massive quantity of research shows that the children learn best through play. Those that grow up with fond memories of music have appreciation for music and art for the rest of their lives.A Message from the Founder:
"To open a music studio was my childhood dream. There was something about spending countless hours on the marble benches of the old music conservatory where my Mother worked; about doing my math homework to the sounds of violin tuning or piano etudes; about family gatherings abundant in singing and playing a full orchestra of instruments. Early on, I knew that my life was going to have an extra dimension because of my special access to the wonderful world of music. I started my formal music education at the age of 8 and went on to complete a rigorous curriculum in piano, solfeggio, music theory & history, performing in numerous recitals on a state and national level in the US & overseas. As of today, I have 20 + years of experience in music performance and education and am currently focused on teaching. I am a passionate believer that the overall benefit of piano study is not even the music itself. It is an assortment of life skills acquired in the course of mastering the instrument. Among many of such skills is ability to stay calm and focused under pressure, commitment to hard work and perseverance in pursuit of long-term goals, improved reasoning and communication skills; ability to provide and receive feedback, time management, freedom of expression and confidence. Music is a fun, cultural and creative way to develop fundamental life skills for a healthy, balanced and enriched future."Our Location
We are very conveniently placed. Our studio in Summit, NJ (Union County) is located right in the heart of the downtown and business districts, 2 short blocks from the train station. We are easily accessible from Highways 24 & 78, minutes away from the neighboring towns of Chatham, Madison, Berkeley Heights, Short Hills & Millburn. Our studio is located on the 2nd floor of the two-story building, across the street from the strand mall and the karate studio. Ample parking available in the garage located behind our building. Parents are welcome to wait for their young musicians in our waiting room or enjoy the shops and cafes downstairs.LESSONS
Why Music?
Music education is a crucial aspect of any person's overall development. It is especially true for young children. It builds character, discipline and responsibility. It develops creative & analytical abilities, as well as strong memorization skills. It provides valuable training in performing and presenting in front of audiences. It teaches managing time and stage anxiety. With proper instruction & encouragement, music education builds confidence and self-esteem.Why Now?
Do you have a piano in your family room that you wish you could play? Would you like to gather your family after dinner for a holiday sing-along? How about a little ensemble with your child who is now taking music lessons & eager to share the fun with you? It is never too late to start studying music, never too late to learn to play an instrument.Our Approach
Our approach to private instruction is based on the student's individual abilities, needs and overall goals. We provide a positive and fun environment to foster learning. Our curriculum is based on years of experience in the industry and every student is encouraged to participate in recitals & competitions. Whether you or your child have never played any instrument before, or possess a considerable amount of skill and proficiency, private instruction is key to personal development & improvement. We'd like to help you get better at whatever your personal goals are. You can bring your own repertoire, or we'll develop one together based on your goals & abilities.Science on Benefits of Music
According to psychologists, researchers and educators "A few minutes of piano practice daily will significantly improve your child's skills in math and science (Sergio Ferreira, Frances Rauscher, University of California-Irvine) Music lessons enhance IQ (Research Report in Psychological Science, Vol. 15, No. 8)Students taking courses in music performance and appreciation scored 53 to 61 points higher on the SAT verbal tests and 39 to 42 points higher on the SAT math tests (Source: 1999 College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers, The College Entrance Examination Board, Princeton, New Jersey)
More Science
The article published in an online medical news publication announces that researchers have found the evidence that young children who take music lessons show different brain development and improved memory over the course of a year compared to children who do not receive musical training. After one year the musically trained children performed better in a memory test that is correlated with general intelligence skills such as literacy, verbal memory, visiospatial processing, mathematics and IQ. In the article, Dr Fujioka adds: "Previous work has shown assignment to musical training is associated with improvements in IQ in school-aged children. Our work explores how musical training affects the way in which the brain develops. It is clear that music is good for children's cognitive development and that music should be part of the pre-school and primary school curriculum." For a full article, please click here: learn moreSCHEDULE & PRICING
Fall 2024 Programs are all ready! Call us now for more information and to register!
The first step to sign up for a private lesson is to schedule interview appointment. It is free, of course, and gives us a great chance to meet, discuss your goals, and our approach to lessons.
We will work with you on scheduling time & date that fits your busy schedule.
Our Scheduling & Pricing is among the most flexible and competitive in the area. Music is our love and passion. We teach music because there is nothing in this world that we will rather do!
For an exact price qoute and our current lesson offerings, schedules and discounts, please contact us today!
OUR TEACHERS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- At what age can I sign up my child for private music lessons?
While the abilities of each child are unique, most kids are ready for private instruction by the time they are 6 or 7 years old. Come in for a free evaluation to determine if your child is ready.
- My toddler loves music and sings all the time. What can I do now to keep her interested & develop her skills?
If your child is showing interest in music early on, it is a wonderful opportunity for you to get her engaged in a Kindermusik curriculum. We will be providing detailed information about this program shortly.
- I've always wanted to learn to play piano. I am now retired and have free time. Is it too late?
It is never too late to start a new fun adventure. You can learn to play piano at any age. Why not now?
- How much time does a student need to practice at home?
It depends on the student's goals, ability, and availability of time. Beginners generally start at 15-20 minutes a day for approximately 5 days a week.
- What lesson duration should I sign up for?
It depends on your individual goals, availability of time and resources. While young beginners, (ages 6-9), generally start with 30-minute lessons, an intermediate student, (over the age of 8-9), will benefit from a longer session of 45-60 min. For an intermediate to advanced level (for adults), a 60-minute lesson is the best.
- Are there any competitions, recitals, concerts I can participate in?
Certainly. We encourage all of our students to enroll in a number of state & local competitions & recitals that include performances at local universities & concert halls including Carnegie Hall in New York City as well as international competitions in Paris & Vienna for those interested. Please inquire within for details.
- Do I need a piano at home to take piano lessons?
It is preferred that you have an acoustic piano available to you for practice. However, a keyboard is an acceptable alternative for beginners. We recommend a full-sized touch-sensitive keyboard which means the hammer action is weighted & the keyboard keys respond to your touch with a softer or louder sound. Renting a piano is also a viable & a less expensive option. Lastly, you can practice on our pianos for a small rental fee when availability permits.
- Do I need a full drum set to take drum lessons?
No, you do not. While a full drum set will be needed for more intermediate & advanced level students, beginners can begin their studies with bell kits & practice pads, a much less costly & noisy alternative (under $50).
- I don't have any background in music. Can I still help my child practice?
Absolutely! By simply monitoring your child's practice times and encouraging them to practice their exercises, you will ensure that your child will progress. We will be happy to provide you with advice and tools to help you with your child's home studies, and talk to you about the best way to focus on areas that may need your attention.
- Performances and competitions, Are they required?
No, we do not require participation from every student although we strongly recommend it. Performance in front of audience builds life-changing skills and develops ability to maintain calm and focus under pressure. It teaches presentation, public speaking skills, teaches participants to manage the nerves, deliver results in a comfortable, confident manner. You can choose from a variety of performance opportunities throughout the year. From fun and friendly studio recitals to competitions at the state and regional levels.
- I have an anxiety performing in front of others. What should I do?
It is completely normal to be anxious before your performance and everyone who performs regularly will tell you they have some form of anxiety. Anxiety is a good thing and that means that you care!!! There are a number of ways to manage stage anxiety. We have lecture classes with Master Instructors on this topic that are open to a novice performer, as well as seasoned artists, where you explore various techniques used by many professionals in the industry. We also offer you a number of opportunities to perform. The one, and the only way, you are going to gain comfort and confidence, is by continuing to perform and apply the techniques learned to manage your anxiety.