Episode 038: Parent Interview with Shanna Meads

17Apr 2017 by Shelly Davis

Shanna Meads is the mom of five children, three of whom study piano in my own studio in Whitehouse, Texas.

Eva (13), William (10), and Amelia (8) each have their own unique personalities and musical expression. They all learn and process music differently.

How do you schedule practice at home?

With five children at home, scheduling practice is very important. Some of Shanna’s children practice in the morning before school while others practice as soon as they get home from school or right before dinner time.

It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure regular practice occurs during the week between lessons.

What struggles have your piano kids overcome through piano study?

Eva recently had a bad bicycle accident and broke her right arm. Fortunately, she did not use this as an excuse to avoid practice. Instead, she focused on reading single handed melodies and music theory worksheets. Since she is left handed, the written theory work didn’t miss a beat!

Mountaintop Experiences through piano study –

A highlight for each year is when my children get to perform at the spring recital. They get the experience of being on a stage, playing a grand piano, and performing before a real live audience. It’s a highlight for me as a parent to watch them up on the stage playing a piece they’ve worked on and memorized and watching them take a bow before the crowd. It’s an awesome experience for all of us!