Piano Quest: An exciting new piano adventure

Most eight to nine-year olds grimace at the thought of after school piano lessons. This is not the case with eight energetic students that are enrolled in Piano Quest, an exciting new piano adventure through Emporia State University 's Academy of Music .

Piano Quest is a comprehensive and complete study of piano that includes musicianship, technique, note reading, improvisation, theory and creativity, and is held on Thursday evenings in Beach Music Hall .

According to Melinda Schick, Piano Quest instructor and a Master's piano/pedagogy student, students work in group and partner settings that promote fast and fun progress.

Schick, along with Ranae Wyatt, a piano/pedagogy student, who combined have 35 years of teaching piano experience, team-teach the exciting after school activity.

Students have one hour of piano instruction, divided into 30 minutes of group piano and 30 minutes with their partner.

"Piano Quest utilizes "discovery" learning in which children, especially in group settings, become more excited about being actively involved in the process," Wyatt said. "Partner lessons are semi-private lessons in which one teacher works with two children. During partner lessons the children use fine grand pianos.

The students have their own individual keyboard and use the music computer lab, which is equipped with the latest pedagogical software.

"This age is the ideal age to start piano," Schick said. "There are no pre-requisites for Piano Quest, students have to have the desire to learn and access to a keyboard or piano to practice."

Currently the class is suited for eight to nine year-old beginners. There are future plans to expand the program to include younger beginners (preschool through first grade) and adults.

"It is very fulfilling when the children understand and grasp a new idea," Schick said.

All work is not done using the piano; they also do activities, which help with motor skills and rhythm.

"This is not the traditional method of teaching piano. It is a lot more fun and involves a lot more interaction. They are going to learn a lot and have fun along the way," Wyatt said. "I love to see the light in their eyes as they learn the skills and express themselves through music."

Piano Quest is a new program in the ESU Academy of Music. All spaces are currently filled for the year.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>