What's New at my Studio?

August 3, 2010

Welcome back! I hope you had a great summer, I've missed you all.

  • FALL LESSONS! Fall lessons begin next Monday, August 9th. We will start right in with the School Year Schedule as posted (attached below or go to http://vickipierce.com/schedule.html). Please let me know ASAP if you want to keep your current spot and if you would like to begin this week or later.

  • PRICE CHANGE: Half hour lessons are now $25/lesson, no shows (missed lesson without notice) will be $30. I recognize this might be a hardship for some, particularly those with more than one student in my studio. Don't panic. If this is a problem, let me know, and we'll work something out.

  • WAITING LIST STUDENTS: I am expecting an opening or two this fall and will notify you as soon as I have that information. Also, some students prefer to wait until September to begin, so I may have some August availability.

  • AUDITIONS: Auditions for CYT Parker & Highlands Ranch shows are Friday, August 27th. I will open my studio doors that day from 3-5 p.m. for anyone who would like to drop by and run through their audition one more time. There is no charge for this, and you do not have to be a student in my studio to take advantage of this opportunity (you can bring your friends). I'll have cookies & lemonade, too, cuz they are almost as good as cake.

  • CONGRATULATIONS to Rebecca White, Josh Conner, and Annie Malin on being cast in Performance Now's fall production of How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, directed by CYT Artistic Director Gary Hathaway. I'm so proud of you!

  • SOUND OF MUSIC AUDITIONS: Performance Now's February production will be The Sound of Music. Auditions are in September, which is earlier than usual. Bernie Cardell (who directed King & I) will be directing. As soon as I have a specific audition date I will let you know. This is a great opportunity for younger students to audition for an adult show.

  • CONCERT SCHEDULE: I'd like to do three concerts again this year.
    Early November - One Minute Auditions
    February 2011 - Songs from Movies
    Late May-early June - Dinner & a Show

I will let you know as soon as I have definite dates for each of these.


April 15, 2010

  • SPRING CONCERT:   The spring concert is currently being rescheduled.

  • CONGRATULATIONS to the casts of all the wonderful productions going up in the next few weeks!  

    • Seussical (the full version) at ThunderRidge High School,  April 23-May 1 (link)
    • Annie Jr at Audience of One, April 23-May 1 (link)
    • Alice in Wonderland Jr. at CYT Highlands Ranch, April 30-May 1 (link)
    • The Sound of Music at CYT Littleton, May 7-May 8 (link)
    • Seussical Jr at CYT Parker, May 14-May 22 (link)

  • TECH WEEK: As tech week for all shows is coming up, there will be lots of cancellations and lots of opportunities to fill in. I will be sending out an email Monday with all the availabilities for waiting list students to fill in, so please let me know ASAP if your student will be gone for tech week.

  • THE SECRET GARDEN: Many of you have asked about tickets to the production I am currently rehearsing. The Secret Garden opens on Friday, May 7 at the Town Hall Arts Center in Littleton. This is a terrific family show (ages 8+) and runs through the first weekend of June. More information, directions, and ticket information can be found at the Town Hall Arts Center web site. If you've not been to a production here, it's a very intimate and unique experience where the audience feels involved in the show.

  • SUMMER SCHEDULE: This summer I will only be teaching in June (5 weeks), and then resuming a regular school schedule the second week of August. For June I will be teaching only two days per week (Wednesday & Thursday), and extend my hours from 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Please be thinking about what fits your schedule and drop me an email to let me know if your student will come during June and what time works for you. These times are available for waiting list students as well.


March 2, 2010

  • RECITAL: Congratulations to students who performed in last weekend's "Pop Rocks" recital. You all did a wonderful job and I'm proud of each and every one of you! Thank you to everyone who came and supported our singers. Whoo-hoo! Parents, if you have photos or videos of the event, I'd love to see them.

    The next recital is planned for mid-late May (depending on graduation & show schedules) and will focus on musical theater and Disney. Many group numbers are planned for this one, so it will be lots of fun. I will send out more information when it's available.

  • THE AUDITION WORKSHOP was a great success (in spite of late pizza). There are some who still need CDs of their audition songs, so please email me ASAP so I can have them ready for pick up today or tomorrow.

  • AUDITION WEEK: This is audition week for CYTers in Parker and Highlands Ranch, so lesson times are at a premium. If your student will not be able to make his/her lesson this week, please let me know ASAP, as there are students waiting in the wings to take cancellations.

  • REMINDER: I will be taking Spring Break week off (March 22-26) to visit my mother in Texas. Everyone have a great break! If you are not sure when my holidays are, they are listed on the Schedule page of my web site.

  • PARENTS: Checks for March are due this week. Mon, Tues, and Wed have 4 weeks, Thurs and Fri have 3 weeks. You do not pay for spring break week.


February 1, 2010

  • OPENINGS FOR FEBRUARY ONLY: For the month of February only I am opening up three additional times on Friday evening, 5:15, 5:45, and 6:15. If any of these times would work for you on this temporary basis, let me know.

  • AUDITION WORKSHOP:  February is turning out to be a month of opportunities since there are no CYT conflicts after this weekend.   I thought I would put feelers out to see if there is interest for a Saturday workshop to work on audition pieces and practices.   Depending on the number of students, it would be from 10 a.m. to 2:30, with a 30 minute pizza break at lunch time.   I've tentatively planned this for Saturday, February 20th.   The cost will be $30 per student (includes pizza lunch).   Please let me know ASAP if this is something that would interest your student.

  • WAITING LIST FAMILIES:  You are allowed (encouraged) to take advantage of the workshop, open times, and attend the recital.

  • MONDAY PRESIDENT'S DAY REMINDER:   Monday, February 15 is a National Holiday, and I will not be teaching that day.

  • SPRING BREAK REMINDER:  I will not be teaching the week of March 22-26, as that is spring break for almost everyone this year.

  • RECITAL UPDATE: The date I wanted was not available, so the February recital will be Sunday, February 28 at 4 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church (on Broadway).   Details will follow, but please put this on your calendar.  I am not requiring all students to do this one, as it is unusual music this time, so if your student wants to opt out, that is okay, though I do encourage everyone to come (whether or not they perform) as it will be lots of fun.  

    STUDENTS:  I'm holding a contest to name this unusual recital.  The winner will receive a special surprise (hehehe).  

    PARENTS:  I would love it if the recital could be video recorded and/or if we could get some great photographs.  These will be for our personal use to share with family.  And, just as a reminder ... hey, CAKE!


January 4, 2010

  • HAPPY NEW YEAR! Lessons begin this week. Please remember to send your check for the month with your student ($80 for everyone). My rates will remain the same through the spring, however please pay special attention to the new cancellation policy below.

  • RECITAL: I have a recital in the plans for mid-to-late February (either the 15th or the 22nd). Details will come by email as soon as they are available. If you have a preference, let me know asap.

  • CONGRATULATIONS to the casts of CYT's Narnia, Annie, and Pocahontas as well as to Sarah Frank (Audrey) in Inspire Creative's Little Shop of Horrors, and Annie Malin (Tuptim), Alex Pierce, and Joe Smith in PNTC's The King & I. I'm so proud of all of you! (If you/your student have been cast in a show recently, let me know!)

  • SECRET GARDEN: I am excited to announce that I have been cast in Town Hall Arts Center's spring production of The Secret Garden. Production dates will be mid-May through mid-June, and I will keep you posted on tickets as soon as they go on sale.

  • WINTER HEALTH NAG: Students! If it is below 40 degrees you should have a scarf around your neck when you are outside. Yes, even the boys. Protect your instrument from the cold and it will serve you well. And in regard to colds, please do your best to stay healthy this winter ... wash your hands, get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, tea, and juice, and avoid others who are sick. This is particularly important for those going into performance weeks.

  • IMPORTANT POLICY CHANGE: Due to the extreme amount of sick days, last minute cancellations, and no shows last fall, I must change my current cancellation policy to read as follows:
    NEW POLICY: It is important that I know of absences at least 24 hours in advance. My studio was hit hard with illnesses and last minute cancellations in the fall and that makes it difficult for me to keep my rates low. Therefore, effective immediately, all cancellations (including illness) with less than 24 hour notice will be charged the full $20 lesson fee. No shows (absence with no notification) will now be charged a $30 'no show fee' instead of the usual lesson rate. Thank you for your understanding in my efforts to keep my rates low.

    Rehearsal & performance weeks: Rehearsal schedules are handed out at the first rehearsal, therefore, please notify me far in advance (by email or in writing) of rehearsals and performances that conflict with your scheduled lesson. It is impossible for me to keep up with everyone's schedule at this point. Again, no shows will be charged a $30 fee.

  • GUIDELINES FOR DROP OFF AND PICK UP: Please be prompt. I do make a concerted effort to have your student in and out on time (I am not always successful, but I do try). If I am still clearly working with another student, it is okay for you to slip in quietly without knocking. Please be sure you see me inside before entering the house. If I am not at the piano, please ring the bell.

  • OPENINGS: I currently have only two openings in my schedule (both before 3 p.m.), however I am accepting waiting list students who frequently get to fill in for cancellations.

I'm excited and looking forward to the wonderful events coming this winter. As always, if anyone has any questions, please feel free to email me or call me (303-683-9867).



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