Educational Philosophy:

Excellence and Nuture - the guiding principles of LHMI

The expressive arts of music and language are rooted in auditory learning, based on a consistent flow of accurate models coupled with thoughtful, intentional imitation. Listening is key in both experiences. For music, it is highly recommended that sessions be recorded (any sort of appropriate device is acceptable), and review of the recording affords the student and home coach the opportunity to “take the lesson” home in its entirety. Shinichi Suzuki’s pioneering work is the basis, augmented by strong pedagogy and technical competence through the Russian skill regimen.

Private music lessons (piano, music theory, ear training, related studies) and intensive academic instruction are available as are targeted, small group sessions. An interview with prospective students and parent(s) [as applicable] is required in order to determine the specialized needs and placement of a studio candidate. For academic experiences, pre-admission testing may also be required. A curriculum is designed for every student, musical or academic, and individualized lesson planning for every student and every lesson (musical or academic) is studio policy. For music students, as appropriate, periodic external reviews and adjudications are available as inspirational progress assessments.

The instructional year is divided into four terms with additional summer coaching as available. Tuition is payable annually, or if more convenient, prior to the start of each term (Note: There is discount given for tuition paid annually). Enrollment is for the entire academic year, and withdrawals during the year are assessed a fee. Recitals and group activities such as videography are included in tuition. Individual additional coaching experiences may be scheduled as instructor time is available. Materials and periodic special activities such as field trips are billed separately.

Piano Instruction

The enjoyment of playing the piano comes from a strong mastery of physical skills coupled with high levels of aesthetic sensitivity and cognitive processing. The pianist is a "musical athlete" who, through practice, develops and controls muscles with the goal of creating beautiful music. But in addition to the outcome of beautiful music, pianists (especially children and adolescents) demonstrate significantly higher than average levels of both mathematical skills and verbal skills. Playing the piano as an adult also appears to have benefits in terms of retarding various kinds of cognitive functions - a kind of musical "anti-aging" activity! At LHMI, the instructor is a coach, a cheer-leader, and a technical resource for each student, and every lesson is individualized and customized.

Voice Training

Anyone with normal auditory functions can sing. Voice training connects what is heard with what is produced as a sound - and like, for example, in other sports, one learns to sing more accurately and in a healthy manner with lots of careful practice. Individual vocal health while singing is the foremost goal of voice training at LHMI. Like other musical disciplines, singing involves musical athleticism coupled with aesthetics and cognition - students understand and then command complex sets of muscles, external and internal, to sing beautifully. Incorporated with voice training is basic music theory. An additional opportunity is available for students who are ready to join the small-class solfege group with its expanded focus on sight singing, ear training, and basic musicianship as well as ensemble singing. At LHMI, every lesson is individualized and customized.

College Preparation

In today's competitive arena of college admissions, the most prepared student will have access to the greatest number of choices for higher education. A parent/student/mentor-teacher meeting is the first step. Based on the specific characteristics of each student and that student's academic goals, an individual preparatory curriculum is developed for each participant. This curriculum is updated as needed - if necessary, after every session. Sessions are typically two to three hours to facilitate the deepest critical thinking, and both receptive and expressive skills are developed in a climate of continuing assessment and re-assessment. Most prep experiences involve about eight to ten sessions, after which there is a conference. LHMI college preparatory activities are usually one-on-one, but small group (never more than three or four students) activities can be made available for students to experience writing and interview skills in context with peers. If instructor time is available, individual targeted-activity sessions may be scheduled.

Consulting

The successful student is one who has organizational skills; high levels of critical reading and thinking; study skills; and a clear understanding of academic "protocols" - what is it that matters in education. But students sometimes get side-tracked. LHMI and ACE (Academic Consulting Enterprises, a part of LHMI) first meets with students and parents in order to discuss long-term goals which may be either enrichment, remediation, or a combination. Basic, in-house testing helps to identify strengths and weaknesses after which a student-centered, fully customized curriculum is developed. Depending upon the student's age and goals, sessions may be one and a half to three hours a week over a period of eight to ten weeks. Parents are both welcomed and encouraged to attend and participate in sessions as appropriate. Again, the climate is one of continuing assessment and re-assessment. If instructor time is available, individual coaching sessions may be scheduled.

In addition to her extensive music and general academic credentials, Hale (Robinson) is a published author and editor. During her time on the English faculty of East Carolina University (Greenville, NC), she served as senior associate editor of the award-winning journal, the North Carolina Literary Review , and produced publications as varied as Cornerstone (the magazine for ECU’s Harriot College of Arts and Sciences) and the annual reports (documents of record) for the entire college. She has served as English language consultant for German language speakers who wished to publish in English language scholarly journals and has been writing advisor for a veterinary medicine doctoral dissertation at Ohio State University. She is available as a writing consultant/technical writer for companies, for individuals engaged in producing a wide variety professional documents, and for younger writers (of any age) who wish to raise their language skills to a greater level.