5 min read
Beyond the Spotlight: How Backstage Skills Shape Confident Kids Musical theatre and music lessons are about more than big songs and bright lights. Behind every show and every class, there is a busy learning world where kids are building real-life...
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4 min read
How Music Training Boosts School Success All Year Music lessons do much more than teach kids to play an instrument or sing a song. When children...
4 min read
Start Smarter: Questions That Make Lessons Count Not all music lessons are the same. Two students can take the same instrument and have totally...
4 min read
How Music Lessons Lift School Skills Without More Homework Parents want to help their kids do well in school, but it is easy for after-school time to...
6 min read
See Your Child Shine on Stage and Beyond A kids acting or music class can be a safe place for shy children to open up and for outgoing children to...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Sep 10, 2026
Why More Flemington Families Are Turning to Music Choosing music lessons for kids in Flemington can feel like a big decision. Parents want something...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Sep 10, 2026
Discover How Musical Theatre Builds Powerful Voices Musical theatre classes do much more than teach songs and dance steps. They train students to...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Sep 9, 2026
How Jazz Dance, Music, and Theatre Build Confident, Creative Kids Jazz dance is a great way for kids to move, have fun, and learn about themselves....
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Sep 9, 2026
Everyday Confidence Kids Gain Through Music and Theatre Confidence does not show up all at once. It grows a little at a time, in small, everyday...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Sep 9, 2026
How Creative Classes Calm Anxious Young Minds Many kids feel nervous a lot of the time, not just before a big test or a doctor visit, but on regular...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Sep 9, 2026
What Really Happens in a Kids’ Music Lesson A weekly music lesson can feel like a mystery from the outside. Your child disappears into a room with an...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Sep 8, 2026
How the Right Musical Theatre Class Helps Kids Thrive Choosing activities for kids can feel like a puzzle. School is starting, homework is picking...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Aug 25, 2026
Confidence That Lasts a Lifetime Starts on Stage Confidence grows when kids do something a little scary, discover they can handle it, and feel proud...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Aug 25, 2026
How to Choose the Best First Step in the Arts Parents often ask a simple question with a lot of feelings behind it: should my child start with music...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Aug 14, 2026
Match Your Child’s Personality to the Perfect Lesson Choosing music lessons for kids in Flemington can feel like a big decision. There are so many...
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5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Aug 12, 2026
Help Your Child Fall in Love with Music From Day One Choosing your child’s first instrument feels like a big decision, especially as new school...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Aug 7, 2026
Building Confident Voices Through Music and Theatre Parents often say they want their kids to grow up confident, kind, and able to speak up for...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Aug 7, 2026
Turn After-School Chaos Into Calm, Creative Time After-school time can feel like a race. Kids come home tired and hungry, backpacks are overflowing,...
6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 24, 2026
How Musical Theatre and Music Lessons Build Stronger Families Musical theatre and music lessons do a lot more than teach kids to sing, play, and...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 24, 2026
How Piano Lessons Shape Confident, Capable Kids Piano lessons are not just one more thing on the weekly schedule. When they are taught with care,...
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5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 23, 2026
How Ensemble Music Quietly Builds Stronger Kids Group music looks simple from the outside. Kids unpack their instruments, shuffle their sheet music,...
6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 23, 2026
When Your Storytelling Kid Avoids Center Stage Some kids are full of stories but go quiet the second all eyes are on them. They read for hours, act...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 17, 2026
Small Rehearsal Habits, Big Life Lessons Musical theatre class is packed with tiny routines that look simple from the outside. Kids slip on dance...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 17, 2026
Summer Skills That Last Longer Than Any Screen Time Many parents worry that summer will turn into a long stretch of scrolling, streaming, and gaming....
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 10, 2026
Confident Performers Become Confident Communicators Kids who sing, act, or dance already practice many of the same skills they need for school...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 10, 2026
From Shy to Self-Assured: How the Arts Change Kids Many kids feel nervous, quiet, or unsure of themselves, especially in group settings. Parents see...
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6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 3, 2026
How Music Lessons, Acting, and Musical Theatre Build Life Skills Music and theatre classes do much more than teach kids how to play songs or perform...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 3, 2026
Summer Stages Where Shy Kids Find Their Voice Shy and introverted kids often feel a little lost when school routines pause. That steady rhythm of...
6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 23, 2026
How Theatre and Music Lessons Build Confident, Capable Kids Musical theatre and music lessons are exciting for kids. There are bright lights, fun...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 12, 2026
Help Your Young Performer Grow Between Lessons Kids today are busy. School, homework, sports, family time, and then, it is off to kids acting or...
7 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 12, 2026
How to Choose the Best Summer Theatre Path Parents often start with a big question: should their child spend the summer in a theatre intensive, stick...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 11, 2026
Make Summer Count with Low-Pressure Instrument Trials Choosing an instrument can feel like a big decision for a family. You want your child to be...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 11, 2026
How Theatre Quietly Builds Independent Kids Theatre classes do much more than teach kids how to stand onstage and say lines. They give children real...
6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 2, 2026
How Musical Theatre and Music Lessons Help Kids Handle Big Feelings A lot of kids feel that tight feeling in their stomach before standing in front...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 2, 2026
How Acting Classes Help Kids Shine Onstage and Off Kids who love pretending, telling stories, or singing along to show tunes already have the spark...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 28, 2026
How Theatre Casting Builds Real-World Leaders Theatre casting looks simple on the surface: some kids get leads, some are in the ensemble, some become...
6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 27, 2026
Discovering Your Child’s Love for the Spotlight Some kids seem to turn every day into a little show. They sing along with movie soundtracks at the...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 20, 2026
Why Creative Kids Thrive in Acting Classes in Flemington, NJ Some kids draw for hours, create elaborate stories, or act out scenes from their...
6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 18, 2026
From Stage Fright to Self-Control: Why Music and Theatre Matter A child standing in the wings before a show often feels a mix of nerves, excitement,...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 14, 2026
How Acting, Musical Theatre, and Music Lessons Build Life Skills Kids feel a lot every day. Excitement, worry, frustration, pride, all of it can show...
6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 11, 2026
How Musical Theatre and Lessons Build Life and Communication Skills Strong communication is about much more than standing at a microphone. Kids also...
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6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 6, 2026
How Playful Theatre and Music Spark Tiny Talkers Toddler theatre and music classes look like pure fun: tiny capes, wobbly crowns, stuffed animals,...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 6, 2026
How Performing Arts Turn Practice Into a Superpower Many parents see a funny contrast at home. A child might squirm in their seat after five minutes...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 27, 2026
From Stage Fright to Self-Belief: Why Mistakes Matter Kids worry a lot about getting things wrong. Before an audition, first musical theatre class,...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 27, 2026
How to Choose the Right Stage for Your Child Parents make a lot of activity decisions for their kids, and choosing between music lessons and theatre...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 21, 2026
Theatre Training That Builds More Than Just Talent Choosing activities for your child can feel like a big decision. Many families go straight to team...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 21, 2026
The First Lesson That Can Shape a Lifetime A child’s first music lesson is more than a new activity on the calendar. It is a moment that can shape...
6 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 15, 2026
Springboard Your Child’s Confidence This Spring Spring is a natural time for kids to try something new. The days feel a little longer, there is more...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 15, 2026
From Stage to Success: Why Young Performers Stand Out Strong communication, confidence, and people skills matter for kids and teens more than ever....
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 10, 2026
How Musical Theatre and Acting Build Strong, Confident Kids
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 10, 2026
How Music and Theatre Together Help Kids Thrive
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 3, 2026
Kids spend a lot of time on screens during the school year, and when summer hits, that screen time can skyrocket. Phones, tablets, video games, and...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 3, 2026
Learning guitar as a child can open up more than just a new hobby. It’s a way for kids to grow in focus, confidence, and creativity while having fun...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 26, 2026
How Rehearsal Routines Turn Stage Time Into Life Skills Musical theatre class might look like pure fun from the outside, but something powerful is...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 24, 2026
Acting classes in Flemington, NJ, aren’t just about performing on stage or memorizing lines. For many students, these classes help build confidence,...
3 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 20, 2026
Drum lessons can offer something exciting for just about anyone. Kids, teens, or adults all have something to gain from learning how to play. Whether...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 20, 2026
A lot of kids love to move. Whether it's dancing around the living room or making up routines with friends, movement comes naturally to them. But...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 13, 2026
What Makes a Music School Stand Out in Flemington NJ? Choosing the right music school in Flemington, NJ, can feel like a big decision for families....
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 5, 2026
Build Focus and Flexibility Through Spring Dance Contemporary dance is a fun, expressive way for students to move their bodies and connect with their...
5 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 5, 2026
How Voice Lessons Help Teens Gain Confidence Being a teenager today comes with a lot to juggle. From schoolwork and activities to friendships and...
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3 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 5, 2026
Helping Kids Overcome Stage Fright Through Acting Stage fright is something many kids experience, especially when it's time to stand in front of a...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 27, 2026
Helping a child get ready for musical theatre can feel just as meaningful as the show itself. When kids walk into their first class already feeling...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 27, 2026
Confidence doesn't always come from textbooks or tests. For a lot of kids, it starts in places where they can be themselves without fear of being...
3 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 20, 2026
Teenagers are often on the lookout for something new that lets them move, express how they feel, and just be themselves. When the weather turns cold...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 20, 2026
Most kids who take music lessons look forward to playing songs and learning new skills. But some students want to go beyond just weekly practice....
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4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 14, 2026
Discover How Theatre Training Shapes Everyday Life Theatre arts training has a way of changing how a child, teen, or adult moves through everyday...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 6, 2026
Cold days and gray skies are part of everyday life in Flemington, NJ, by February, which makes it harder to keep kids active and involved in creative...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 6, 2026
After a long day at work, it can be tough to fully let go of the stress that piles up. Thoughts swirl, shoulders tighten, and it can feel like you’re...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jan 30, 2026
Many kids who are shy at school or around new people might light up when they’re at home, especially when they’re pretending or playing make-believe....
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4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jan 30, 2026
When winter rolls into Flemington, NJ, the chilly air and short days naturally push families indoors. With outdoor sports and warm-weather hobbies on...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jan 29, 2026
Kids want to feel included, confident, and capable of connecting with others. But social skills do not always come naturally, especially in a busy...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jan 29, 2026
Trying something for the first time can come with a mix of excitement and nervous energy, especially for kids. Broadway dance lessons offer a fun way...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jan 19, 2026
Speaking in front of a group isn’t easy for many kids. Even some of the most talkative ones freeze up when asked to stand up and share a thought out...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jan 19, 2026
Choosing a piano teacher is more than just picking someone who plays well. It’s about finding the right fit for your child’s personality, learning...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jan 18, 2026
Parents often ask when the right time is to start jazz dance classes for their kids. It’s a good question, especially as we move through the cold...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jan 18, 2026
Winter in Flemington, NJ can feel long, especially for kids. The days get shorter, the weather keeps everyone indoors, and energy levels naturally...
4 min read
Andres David Lopez: Jan 9, 2026
When winter rolls into Hunterdon County, we feel it from head to toe. The air is colder, the days are shorter, and sometimes, our voices just don’t...
1 min read
Andres David Lopez: Dec 4, 2025
Inspired by his daughter learning piano with us, Chris, 54, began guitar lessons with Alejo and Isaac. He started playing when he was 20, but only...
2 min read
Antonius Bittmann: Dec 10, 2024
Discovering the Best Music Schools in Hunterdon County Hunterdon County is home to a variety of music schools that cater to different musical...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 19, 2018
This is Cara from Hunterdon Academy of the Arts and for this month's "Tips and Tricks" series, I wanted to give you a few tips on what to do when you...
4 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Nov 19, 2017
My daughter Emily has been attending Hunterdon Academy of the Arts in Flemington since 2011. She started out in Musikgarten's toddler classes and...
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 13, 2017
Congratulations to June Asai, for winning our Faculty of the Month Award! Below is a summary of our interview with June.
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Valentina Jotovic: Jan 10, 2017
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Valentina Jotovic: Jan 9, 2017
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Valentina Jotovic: Jan 1, 2017
The beginning of a new year holds great promise. It provides an opportunity for us to leave “in the past” any disappointments, shortcomings, and...
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Dec 8, 2016
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Valentina Jotovic: Sep 3, 2016
This month we're congratulating Piano Instructor Kristen Todd on having received HAA's Teacher of the Month Award! Kristen has been with us for...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Aug 7, 2016
Hearty Congratulations to Mikyla Scott, on receiving this month’s Student of the Month Award! In below interview with us, Mikyla talks about the...
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Valentina Jotovic: Jul 8, 2016
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Valentina Jotovic: Jun 4, 2016
This month we’re congratulating Matthew Woodward on winning June’s Student of the Month Award. Matthew is a 12-year-old Music and Acting student who...
3 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 9, 2016
This month we interviewed Taylor Halpern, who joined us last year. Her warm personality and multiple musical talents have made her a great choice for...
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Valentina Jotovic: May 8, 2016
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Valentina Jotovic: Feb 29, 2016
This month’s faculty spotlight is on Amanda Prakopcyk, a piano instructor who has been particularly successful with young beginners. In her interview...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Oct 19, 2015
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 18, 2015
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 14, 2015
Celebrate with Us! We are really excited to have received Musikgarten's "Exemplary Program Award" for the 2014-15 school year! The award recognizes...
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Valentina Jotovic: Sep 27, 2015
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Valentina Jotovic: Apr 26, 2015
By Valentina Jotovic, C.E.O., YOUniversity of Music and Arts
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Valentina Jotovic: Dec 1, 2014
When my son Marc was entering high school, he told me that he wanted to stop playing the clarinet he'd been playing since fourth grade. In high...
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Oct 5, 2014
Summer is over and for those students who may have taken some time off from piano lessons, the school year is back in swing. For many teachers, it’s...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jul 10, 2014
Every teacher strives to make their students independent as soon as possible. That is, of course, the case with music teachers as well. However, they...
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 26, 2014
Digital=future? By Ting Ting Wong
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Valentina Jotovic: May 25, 2014
By Prof. Walter Aparicio, Piano Instructor at Hunterdon Academy of the Arts
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Valentina Jotovic: May 4, 2014
In answering this question, the first thing that comes to mind is that music is something we play, share, and enjoy together. We enjoy listening to...
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 27, 2014
Through my readings recently of Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers”, I happen to come across an interesting concept. It involved K. Anders Ericsson’s study...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 13, 2014
I have been teaching the clarinet for over ten years. I have helped many students prepare for performances and auditions. As a performance or...
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Valentina Jotovic: Apr 6, 2014
When it comes to playing music, there is so much more to it than just the notes. Playing the notes is of course the first major step that will allow...
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Valentina Jotovic: Mar 19, 2014
“I Hope You Know That Says Sol-Mi-Do" One of my Musikgarten® Keyboard 1 students bounced into my classroom and stopped to look at what I’d left on...
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Valentina Jotovic: Mar 16, 2014
“What exactly are you DOING?” In the fast-paced society we live in today, which seems to be encouraging children to participate in as many...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 12, 2014
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 9, 2014
Ask any child or young adult how music makes them feel, then sit back and wait for the floodgates of emotions to open! As a pathway for feelings we...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 19, 2014
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Valentina Jotovic: Jan 12, 2013
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Valentina Jotovic: Sep 2, 2012
For many years, Hunterdon Academy of the Arts has offered group keyboard classes for young kids from 6 to 8 years of age. In our experience, many...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Aug 29, 2012
Having a good music lesson experience has much to do with the quality and credentials of your music teacher. But it also depends on you,...
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 15, 2012
This has been an interesting and rewarding year of teaching for me. I’ve been teaching music to children for 16 years and have loved every minute of...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 29, 2012
Remember the game of jump-rope? As a youngster, it was one of my favorites! There were so many fun ways to play, but I especially enjoyed the "team"...
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Mar 19, 2012
The recent death of Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, has made clear just how much we rely on technology in virtually every aspect of our lives. This...
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Valentina Jotovic: Mar 19, 2012
Influential individuals and/or teams in the areas of sports, politics and the arts have pushedmen, women and children to achieve what some believe to...
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Valentina Jotovic: Jan 8, 2012
Excitement commenced as I clicked on a link to a concert page. A Philip Glass premiere, a composer who is one of my favorites. But as I further...
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Valentina Jotovic: Nov 28, 2011
We're delighted to welcome two new piano teachers to the faculty of Hunterdon Academy of the Arts: Charisse Baldoria and Walter Aparicio. Both join...
3 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Nov 23, 2011
When I started taking piano lessons at the age of seven, I had no idea that I’d still be playing 21 years later, much less that I’d be on the other...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Nov 2, 2011
These are the 5 things every ensemble performer is responsible for during a rehearsal: 1. Punctuality (be on time) 2. A pencil 3. A working...
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 23, 2011
John I:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Words are important. They hold a special vibration. The...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Oct 19, 2011
It's nice when I get this question, I play a lot of piccolo myself, and it has helped me get established with many musical organizations. As in...
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 12, 2011
At the beginning of my musical upbringing I started listening to a few musical groups that really made me want to start playing, but I had no...
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 9, 2011
Making Change
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 1, 2011
“What Position Do I Play In, Again?” Most piano teachers have heard this infamous question at some point in their teaching careers. While it may seem...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 15, 2011
One thing that always caught me off guard when I was in school was seeing teachers outside of the academic setting. "What? Teachers live at school....
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jun 7, 2011
Many have heard the commonly used proverb, “Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand.” The majority...
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Valentina Jotovic: Jun 1, 2011
What inspires us to take up an instrument, take lessons, practice, and all the other things that go into learning to play music? There’s always some...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: May 25, 2011
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Valentina Jotovic: May 18, 2011
Looking at a piece for the first time can be very intimidating. Oftentimes students do not know where to begin with their new piece. Teachers can...
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Valentina Jotovic: May 8, 2011
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Valentina Jotovic: May 1, 2011
One of my earliest memories as a piano student includes my first piano recital. I was five years old at the time. My parents had brought me to my...
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Valentina Jotovic: Apr 28, 2011
I am finding that a few of my students are becoming upset or frustrated with the difficulties and challenges that music presents to them. Whether it...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 24, 2011
Doing something you know you love is easy. For me, practicing is part of my daily routine…I don’t feel right if my day has started without some time...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Apr 20, 2011
It’s that wonderful time of year again, when sunshine beckons flowers and people alike to come revel in its warmth. The air is fresh, colors come...
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Valentina Jotovic: Apr 17, 2011
I don’t necessarily believe in going through mindless repetitions when practicing music (see my last blog, Stop Practicing, Start Playing!), but...
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Valentina Jotovic: Mar 25, 2011
Dynamics. We all know the markings: pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff. As young musicians we are taught that pp means to play at the softest level while ff means...
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Valentina Jotovic: Mar 23, 2011
Many beginning students of music may wonder what learning theory has anything to do with learning to play the piano, and still others wonder how it...
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Valentina Jotovic: Mar 20, 2011
So, you want to make Regions?
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Valentina Jotovic: Mar 7, 2011
I spend a lot of time awake late into the night, as my jobs as a drum teacher and professional musician usually don’t require me to wake up too early...
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Valentina Jotovic: Feb 27, 2011
“Frank Sinatra! Pavarotti! Lady Gaga! Kristin Chenoweth! Justin Beiber!” When I meet new students, I always make a point of asking who their favorite...
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Valentina Jotovic: Feb 23, 2011
What was I influenced by? I have no idea – sure, my father took violin lessons with John Krauss as a junior or senior in high school only because...
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 20, 2011
According to my parents, I began to express interest in the violin at age six. In those days there were no "Suzuki" type programs to send me to, nor...
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 16, 2011
It has been hard for me to believe that my first baby is actually in Kindergarten, let alone half way through her first year of elementary school....
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Feb 13, 2011
Piano teachers have long recognized the potential of teaching in groups. Group teaching began in Dublin, Ireland around 1815. The German musician...
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Valentina Jotovic: Feb 10, 2011
I’ll begin with the disclaimer that I’m no psychologist (well, at least not one by trade; I think every teacher is a psychologist to a certain...
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Valentina Jotovic: Feb 5, 2011
Anxiously sitting in the traffic of Newark where each light seems to be against us changing to red just seconds before we arrive, I have no idea how...
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Valentina Jotovic: Jan 16, 2011
I am still surprised to this day when people ask me if I “mind playing the bass”...as if it requires an act of humility on my part. They see the bass...
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Valentina Jotovic: Jan 11, 2011
Music has been a part of my life from the very beginning. Singing voices filled my ears and mind with wonder.
1 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Jan 6, 2011
One method for music students to reduce performance anxiety is to do what is called a Practice Performance. A practice performance is designed to...
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Valentina Jotovic: Dec 9, 2010
The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the voice is definitely the party music wafting out of that window. It can express our joys, our fears,...
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Valentina Jotovic: Nov 28, 2010
I think we all would agree that the sound of a child’s singing voice is one of the most beautiful and precious sounds on earth. To hear this natural...
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Valentina Jotovic: Nov 25, 2010
As a child, I had always enjoyed making music. However, I struggled to muster up the discipline to practice 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. I...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Nov 21, 2010
The person who inspired me to start playing music was my Father. My earliest childhood memories include music in my home. My father was a guitarist...
2 min read
Valentina Jotovic: Nov 18, 2010
I am definitely not the first person to write about practicing and I am certainly not going to be the last. I feel, however, that this is such an...
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Valentina Jotovic: Nov 14, 2010
EXLUSIVE PIANO EVENT: November 19 through 21
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Valentina Jotovic: Nov 7, 2010
We are pleased to have added two new music teachers--Nina Yenik (Piano) and David Cifelli (Drums)--to our faculty roster, providing you with expanded...
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Valentina Jotovic: Nov 4, 2010
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 31, 2010
Since my brother, guitar teacher Mr. Chris, wrote about his favorite guitarist on this blog, I thought it would be appropriate for me to write about...
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 28, 2010
No, this isn't an admission of drug use, its a part of why I am a flutist. And maybe, how to help a flute student start to love the playing too.
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 24, 2010
I am in the midst of conducting my first musical ("Into the Woods" by Stephen Sondheim). And if you’re wondering how someone learns to do that, I...
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 21, 2010
COUNTING. All musicians are tasked with it. Whether one plays the flute, trumpet, cello, or sings, we have to count. While studying as an...
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 14, 2010
I grew up on a small family farm. We raised Holstein cows (for milking), steers (for eating) pigs, chickens, and ducks. We had lots of cats who were...
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 10, 2010
I love reading the comics in the Sunday newspaper! This week, Baby Blues was especially funny. Hammie, the little boy in the family, was at the mall...
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 7, 2010
“My child is 5 years old and is reading. I think she’s ready for private lessons.”
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Valentina Jotovic: Oct 4, 2010
I began taking flute lessons when I was in seventh grade, by the recommendation of one of my middle school band directors. He was always very...
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Valentina Jotovic: Sep 18, 2010
To meet the demands of its growing music program, Hunterdon Academy of the Arts is very pleased to add three new teachers to its distinguished...
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Valentina Jotovic: Sep 5, 2010
August 27, 2010 marked the 20th anniversary of the death of guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughn. He was only 35 years old, and was killed in a tragic...
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Valentina Jotovic: Aug 27, 2010
We are thrilled to have appointed Robert McMahan to the faculty of Hunterdon Academy of the Arts! A long-standing full-time Professor of Music at The...
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Valentina Jotovic: Aug 15, 2010
We are delighted to welcome four new instructors to the faculty of Hunterdon Academy of the Arts: Brandon Eldredge (piano); Thomas Hanslowe (violin);...
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Valentina Jotovic: Aug 11, 2010
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Valentina Jotovic: Aug 1, 2010
What if my child won't quit music lessons? Interesting thought, isn't it? And it was the subject of a conversation we had the other day with Doug...
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Valentina Jotovic: Jul 29, 2010
Are you getting ready to take piano lessons? If so, you've made the right choice; you can't go wrong with the piano. However, to make progress...
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