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Community Music Studio Developing Youth into Artists
Information & Policies:
Piano & Music Theory Lessons include:
Weekly 60 / 45 / 30 minute lessons during academic year September-May
Access to Online Audio Library with 11 levels and over 500 pieces
Composition exercises with music notation software
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion music and composer activities
Technique exercises to promote healthy musicianship
Beginning/end of semester evaluation activities
Access to activities & performance opportunities in collaboration with:
Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) & Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
Access to PianoMaestro iPad App
Recommended Participation:
-DAMTA Musicales - I encourage students to perform in our Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) Musicales. Musicales help students prepare to perform in upcoming festivals and competitions. Recitals are a useful tool for students to build confidence and improve their abilities, as well as introduce them to a wider spectrum of music by listening to other students of varying levels playing a variety of styles.
-Boulder Federation of Music Clubs (BFMC) Festival - Each spring my studio performs in this wonderful festival. Events include: Solo, Concerto, Improvisation, Music Theory, Sight Reading, Duets, Duos, Trios, Quartets, Hymns and more. Students earn points per event to achieve trophies.
-Schmitt Music Piano Competition - Competitive & Non Competitive Divisions
-Classic Pianos Denver Yamaha Piano Competition
Rates, Materials & Policies:
Students are guaranteed a weekly time slot from September-May. Please provide me with 30-day notice to switch your time slot or end lessons.
Payments are due in advance by the 1st of each month. Failure to make payment by the 1st will result in a $20 late fee.
Families are responsible for purchasing recommended instructional books & materials.
Families that participate in the Federation of Music Clubs Festival and additional performance opportunities will receive a separate invoice.
Piano & Music Theory Lessons include:
Weekly 60 / 45 / 30 minute lessons during academic year September-May
Access to Online Audio Library with 11 levels and over 500 pieces
Composition exercises with music notation software
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion music and composer activities
Technique exercises to promote healthy musicianship
Beginning/end of semester evaluation activities
Access to activities & performance opportunities in collaboration with:
Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) & Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
Access to PianoMaestro iPad App
Recommended Participation:
-DAMTA Musicales - I encourage students to perform in our Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) Musicales. Musicales help students prepare to perform in upcoming festivals and competitions. Recitals are a useful tool for students to build confidence and improve their abilities, as well as introduce them to a wider spectrum of music by listening to other students of varying levels playing a variety of styles.
-Boulder Federation of Music Clubs (BFMC) Festival - Each spring my studio performs in this wonderful festival. Events include: Solo, Concerto, Improvisation, Music Theory, Sight Reading, Duets, Duos, Trios, Quartets, Hymns and more. Students earn points per event to achieve trophies.
-Schmitt Music Piano Competition - Competitive & Non Competitive Divisions
-Classic Pianos Denver Yamaha Piano Competition
Rates, Materials & Policies:
Students are guaranteed a weekly time slot from September-May. Please provide me with 30-day notice to switch your time slot or end lessons.
Payments are due in advance by the 1st of each month. Failure to make payment by the 1st will result in a $20 late fee.
Families are responsible for purchasing recommended instructional books & materials.
Families that participate in the Federation of Music Clubs Festival and additional performance opportunities will receive a separate invoice.
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Feedback From Families:
I am grateful for the feedback from parents describing my teaching approach as “holistic” and that I “...provide excellent constructive criticism and encourage the children to persevere…”, as well as describing me as “...professional and personable”. “[My child] is lucky to have a music teacher with such a nurturing spirit."
I am also appreciative of the feedback from students: “...[Ben] makes me want to learn more”, “The best part about Ben is how patient and kind he is. Even when I make mistakes, he is always encouraging and never discouraging”, and “[Ben] makes it fun and more engaging to learn piano… I love going because I just enjoy learning piano from him.”
I am grateful for the feedback from parents describing my teaching approach as “holistic” and that I “...provide excellent constructive criticism and encourage the children to persevere…”, as well as describing me as “...professional and personable”. “[My child] is lucky to have a music teacher with such a nurturing spirit."
I am also appreciative of the feedback from students: “...[Ben] makes me want to learn more”, “The best part about Ben is how patient and kind he is. Even when I make mistakes, he is always encouraging and never discouraging”, and “[Ben] makes it fun and more engaging to learn piano… I love going because I just enjoy learning piano from him.”
COVID-19 Policies: (Updated 2022: Mask-optional in lessons)
Please see "The DPS 5 Health Guidelines" Below.
I have students follow these guidelines in my home: Wash hands before lessons, masks for the entirety of the lesson and social distance when possible. I am cleaning the piano keys in between lessons for additional safety, and when possible have windows/doors open for airflow. I have resumed teaching in person, and also have the capability to set up my webcam to teach virtually, and request if you feel sick to please stay home and we can have a virtual lesson instead. Virtual lessons now have become second nature after last year, and can be just as productive with my overhead camera to show my hands.
Please see "The DPS 5 Health Guidelines" Below.
I have students follow these guidelines in my home: Wash hands before lessons, masks for the entirety of the lesson and social distance when possible. I am cleaning the piano keys in between lessons for additional safety, and when possible have windows/doors open for airflow. I have resumed teaching in person, and also have the capability to set up my webcam to teach virtually, and request if you feel sick to please stay home and we can have a virtual lesson instead. Virtual lessons now have become second nature after last year, and can be just as productive with my overhead camera to show my hands.
| The DPS 5 Health Guidelines |
FAQ:
Why piano lessons?
Exposing kids to the arts builds their skills in creativity, confidence, problem solving, dedication, accountability, and other areas of academic and life success. Read more here.
Do you travel to students?
Unfortunately I do not travel to families. I teach lessons from my studio on an Essex Steinway & Sons piano utilizing my library of teaching activities, tools and technologies.
What is the Online Audio Library?
I provide families access to my collection of hundreds of pieces covering 11 levels. The students will be assigned particular levels to listen to, and from this collection they will choose their repertoire. My audio library is inspired by the Suzuki method, created by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach. I urge families to listen to the audio library on a regular basis. Students will make much quicker advancements in their musical abilities by listening routinely.
Exposing kids to the arts builds their skills in creativity, confidence, problem solving, dedication, accountability, and other areas of academic and life success. Read more here.
Do you travel to students?
Unfortunately I do not travel to families. I teach lessons from my studio on an Essex Steinway & Sons piano utilizing my library of teaching activities, tools and technologies.
What is the Online Audio Library?
I provide families access to my collection of hundreds of pieces covering 11 levels. The students will be assigned particular levels to listen to, and from this collection they will choose their repertoire. My audio library is inspired by the Suzuki method, created by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. More than fifty years ago, Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki realized the implications of the fact that children the world over learn to speak their native language with ease. He began to apply the basic principles of language acquisition to the learning of music, and called his method the mother-tongue approach. The ideas of parent responsibility, loving encouragement, constant repetition, etc., are some of the special features of the Suzuki approach. I urge families to listen to the audio library on a regular basis. Students will make much quicker advancements in their musical abilities by listening routinely.
About Ben Raznick, M.Ed:
Experience:
Pianist, recording artist, composer, producer, filmmaker & teacher with 25+ years experience
Doctoral Candidate, Leadership for Educational Equity, CU-Denver
Masters in Education, Colorado State Teaching License, Regis University
BA in Spanish Language and Business Certificate, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Affiliate Faculty, Metropolitan State University's DIME-Denver 2019-2020: Class Piano I, Group Performance Instruction I & II (Piano), Music Theory I, Music Theory Lab I
10+ years experience public school teacher & educational counselor
Denver Public Schools Guest Teacher 2015-2022
Denver Kids, Inc. Educational Counselor 2013-2015
Spanish Public School English Language and Culture Assistant 2011-2013 (Andalucía & Catalunya)
Awards:
2024 Leadership Award from Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
2023 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Community Engagement Grant (DAMTA 2024 Student Musicale Celebrating Black History Month)
2023 Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) Local Association Grant (DAMTA 2024 Student Musicale Celebrating Black History Month)
2022 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Teacher Enrichment Grant (Taubman Approach Independent Study)
2022 Local Association of the Year (DAMTA) from Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) (Raznick served as DAMTA President)
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher - Profile on Steinway & Sons Teacher Directory
2021 The American Prize Winner in Arts Marketing
2021 The American Prize Finalist in American Music, Soloist division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Professional Solo Piano Performance division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Composers (Instrumental Chamber Music) division
2018 Alpha Sigma Iota awarded "Friend of the Arts"
Community Engagement:
Incoming President-Elect, Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) 2024-2026
President, Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) 2021-2024
Vice President for Teacher Enrichment, Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) 2023-present
Recording Academy (GRAMMYs®) Governor (2023-present), Voting Member & CoChair DREAM Committee, Nominating Committee
Advisory Council, Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) 2021-present
2nd Vice President (Newsletter), Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) 2018-2021
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Member
MusicLink Foundation Teacher
Experience:
Pianist, recording artist, composer, producer, filmmaker & teacher with 25+ years experience
Doctoral Candidate, Leadership for Educational Equity, CU-Denver
Masters in Education, Colorado State Teaching License, Regis University
BA in Spanish Language and Business Certificate, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Affiliate Faculty, Metropolitan State University's DIME-Denver 2019-2020: Class Piano I, Group Performance Instruction I & II (Piano), Music Theory I, Music Theory Lab I
10+ years experience public school teacher & educational counselor
Denver Public Schools Guest Teacher 2015-2022
Denver Kids, Inc. Educational Counselor 2013-2015
Spanish Public School English Language and Culture Assistant 2011-2013 (Andalucía & Catalunya)
Awards:
2024 Leadership Award from Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA)
2023 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Community Engagement Grant (DAMTA 2024 Student Musicale Celebrating Black History Month)
2023 Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) Local Association Grant (DAMTA 2024 Student Musicale Celebrating Black History Month)
2022 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Teacher Enrichment Grant (Taubman Approach Independent Study)
2022 Local Association of the Year (DAMTA) from Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) (Raznick served as DAMTA President)
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 Steinway & Sons Top Music Teacher - Profile on Steinway & Sons Teacher Directory
2021 The American Prize Winner in Arts Marketing
2021 The American Prize Finalist in American Music, Soloist division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Professional Solo Piano Performance division
2019 The American Prize Semi-Finalist in Composers (Instrumental Chamber Music) division
2018 Alpha Sigma Iota awarded "Friend of the Arts"
Community Engagement:
Incoming President-Elect, Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) 2024-2026
President, Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) 2021-2024
Vice President for Teacher Enrichment, Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) 2023-present
Recording Academy (GRAMMYs®) Governor (2023-present), Voting Member & CoChair DREAM Committee, Nominating Committee
Advisory Council, Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) 2021-present
2nd Vice President (Newsletter), Denver Area Music Teachers Association (DAMTA) 2018-2021
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Member
MusicLink Foundation Teacher
To register for an orientation, please contact me here.