Have you ever wondered WHY the study of piano and music theory is so important for children?
This week, on one of my long walks with my dog, I was listening to a podcast that featured Evan Spiegel, the founder of the Snapchat. Stephen Bartlett, the interviewer, asked Evan a question about his teenaged son:
“Is there anything else based on how the world is currently that you’d be advising him to learn before the age of like 21?”
Evan replied:
“I think one of the most important things today is really nurturing creativity. I think creativity is really the X factor certainly in the age of AI.
I think exercising that muscle, that creativity, is so important. And I think creativity is just becoming more and more rare ultimately because so much of our society is oriented around things we can measure. Creativity is so hard to measure. And so I think it can be really tough to find the dedication to invest in developing creativity when it’s uncertain what the outcome is. But that’s really what I would encourage him or so many people to do.”
And that’s truly it. Snapchat is valued at $130 billion. It’s a tech company that is wildly successful. And the founder is telling us just how important creativity is for everyone, especially children. It’s creativity that will not only give us satisfaction in our lives, but will give our children a cutting edge in the job market of the future.
So parents, teachers, you are doing the right thing in having your children study music and music theory. Nurturing creativity is the gift that we can give our students and children.
Opportunities at Piano Program in April:
- Monday, April 14th at 4:00 pm Central Time: My students just received their scores on their state music theory tests. Perhaps you or your child just finished a state theory test or completed a level of Piano Program Music Theory. Join me in discussing any questions that you might have missed, or anything that you still are just unsure about in your current music theory level. This zoom workshop is free for all students currently enrolled in a Piano Program Music Theory Course.
Ways that you or your child can work on creativity:
- SUMMER is coming!!!! Get a jump start on learning for the fall by enrolling in your next level of music theory. Did you know that all students can enroll in one level of music theory (covering 1 complete year of learning), for only a one time fee of $65? See the individuals levels and enroll below.
- Teachers, interested in getting ALL of your students enrolled in a new music theory level over the summer to get a jump start on learning? Email me so that we can get this set up together. They can learn on the go while they are traveling by using the app on the phone!
- ADULTS – it’s not too late to be creative. I have a new online zoom class for adults that will meet weekly to learn how to play the piano, or how to rapidly improve if you already can play. The class is called Piano Explorers and will start in July. We will meet weekly over zoom. Stay tuned for more information.
- Just starting piano and want a fresh way to learn? Join my beginning Piano Course. Bonus – you get access to a message board to ask me questions about the modules.