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Students across Manitoba will be entering new learning environments of all kinds in the coming weeks. This includes new classrooms and new extracurricular activities, one of which is music lessons. Long accepted as a valuable part of children’s development, it can be an adjustment period for families to get into music lessons, especially if they are doing so for the very first time.
According to Shawn Coughlin of Academy of Music, which offers both studio lessons at their St. Anne’s Road location, online and lessons in the home, there are a wide variety of factors to consider when beginning private music education.
“Every child is different,” says Coughlin. “There [are] a few factors going into it but certainly selecting the right teacher. You want to find someone obviously that has the background, the experience, the knowledge, and also, you want to find the right fit personality-wise.”
In addition to considerations about which instructor is the best fit for their child, Coughlin notes that choosing the right instrument can also make or break the first experience with music lessons. “Part of making it a good experience is having a proper instrument at home,” he explains, “because the instrument that they should be practicing every day should be something that is suitable for them.”
Regular practice can be a difficult thing to instill into family life, especially if other extracurricular activities are involved as the school year begins. Coughlin suggests coming up with a schedule for children to ensure that practicing their instrument becomes a regular part of their routine. “Whether it’s scheduling practice before you may go to school or perhaps as soon as you come home from school or after suppertime, having a consistent type of a schedule is the first thing to get set,” he says.
Ultimately, in Coughlin’s view, the success of early music lessons relies on the involvement of the parents. “The more that the families are involved, especially in the younger child, that certainly will help to make it successful.”
Academy of Music offers a wide range of lessons, instruments and instructors to help children get started on their musical journey. To learn more, families are encouraged to visit their website or call (204) 786-1704.