‘Positive Practice!’ Teaches Successful Music Techniques

Getting a child to practice a musical instrument is a source of conflict for many families, but it doesn’t have to be. Loma Linda Academy is hosting a “Positive Practice!” workshop from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, offering parents realistic suggestions on reducing conflict with your children and making their practice times more successful. Guest instructors will be Paula Stewart and Judy Boyum, music teachers with training in behavior modification who have been featured . Lucy Lewis, director of the String Program and Symphony Orchestra at Loma Linda Academy, met Stewart and Boyum last year at the American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. “When I participated in their workshops at the American Suzuki Institute I was struck by how needed and timely the information was that they were sharing,” said Lewis, who is an assistant professor of Orchestral Music Education at California State University, San Bernardino. “Parents almost always struggle at some point in practicing with their child, and Paula and Judy have wonderful thoughts and solutions for just about any problem that could possibly arise.” Stewart, of Rochester, Minnesota, holds an education degree with post-graduate training in positive reinforcement-based learning. She has been an instructor for more than 35 years, including 20 years of teaching violin and viola, and has been a guest speaker in five countries. Stewart was awarded the Extraordinary Rochester Woman Award for her contributions to young musicians and their parents through her teaching methods and the “Positive Practice!” workshops. Boyum, also of Rochester, has a master’s degree in counseling. She has taught piano for 25 years, including her own three children, giving her insights into parents’ perspectives and needs. In addition to collaborating on “Positive Practice!” workshops, she has led parenting classes through the Southeastern Minnesota Suzuki Association and belongs to the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the National Guild of Piano Teachers. “I truly hope that the attendees for this workshop come away with a better understanding of the psychology for every stage of child development,” Lewis said, “and that they will feel as though they have lots of new tools and strategies to be able to positively and creatively problem-solve during practice with their child or children at home.” Registration forms may be downloaded at http://lomalindastrings.com. Cost is $60 with checks payable to Loma Linda Academy. Registration can be sent to Stephanie Popa, P.O. Box 471, Loma Linda, CA 92354.