Elaina has been taking piano lessons for about 3 months. Earlier this month she had her first recital. At first she was really not happy about doing this recital. She told her teacher "I can't do it. I'm too little." So after lessons one day, her teacher (who I really like) came up with the idea of doing her own special recital with out any other kids. Just Elaina and a small group of her loved ones. So, it was just that - us (the parents) my mom, Gale, and Erik's parents. It was so great. I thought it was going to be super short since she only had 5 songs she was playing that were short. But, it was more than that.
At the beginning, her teacher told us that she likes to do recitals to show children that taking lessons is about learning and then sharing what you know and your music with others. It's not about how good you are, only about sharing your music with others. I like that. She said that this recital was a lesson for Elaina. She stopped Elaina along the way and told her etiquette type things that she needed to know (like how to bow after you perform, how to push the bench in and out, etc...). She encouraged us to cheer for Elaina and encourage her along the way - not just during the recital but every time we see her.
She also had all of us play a game that Elaina plays during her lessons that teaches things about music (where certain notes were on the keyboard, how many beats were in notes, etc..) so we could all hear what Elaina had been learning. It was very enjoyable and Elaina ended up having a good time even though she did not want to do it initially.
Afterwards, we asked Elaina if she liked taking lessons and she said yes and she wants to continue to do so. We are happy to oblige.
Okay....I have rambled on long enough.
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| Before the show - I let her pick her outfit. |
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| After one of her songs...She would not bow. Just stand there with her finger in her mouth :) |
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| Playing the game |
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| The audience |
And a video of Away in a Manger....
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