I recorded this one-woman show back in 2020 as part of a series for the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids. It was a series intended to entertain and bring people together during a time of isolation.
Here is the YouTube link!
Enjoy
Kreenah

Spring is in full bloom! And time is passing so quickly. Soon it will be summer vacation already. I realized today that I haven't really promoted my summer lesson schedule too much yet. I was at the Hamilton Virtual School open house a couple weeks ago, and I did post information here under my "music lessons" tab, but that's it. 

Although I expect to have most of my students at The Piano Cottage continue through the summer, historically summer months are financially challenging for me. Although I do participate in several performances around town with Good Medicine Band, Calder City Concert Band, and Beer City Winds, and also continue to perform event piano at Von Maur on the weekends, these enjoyable pursuits bring in little to no income for me. 

Sometimes I take on a summer job, however, this year, I want to focus on two projects I have been working on. One is writing my memoirs. I am writing a memoir revolving around music and its influence in my life. The other is preparing art pieces for an art show I'd like to do next year. 

Below is a slideshow of some spring scenes I have encountered on my walks interspersed with some of my artwork. 

Enjoy the warm weather!

​Kreenah

Hi all
I'm sorry some of you missed me at Von Maur this weekend. I've been told I need to let people know when I'm not playing.
Yesterday, I was at the Thornapple Area Arts Council Jazz Festival in Hastings. I played with Ransom Street Big Band, an ensemble of the International New Horizons Music Entity. After our performance, I stayed on to listen to several other groups. 
Today, I'll also NOT be at Von Maur. 

However, the next two weekends: May 3 and May 10, I'll be playing event piano as usual from 3-6. I'm told I look like I'm concentrating. In spite of how I look, I'm mostly bored and would LOVE to have someone come to make conversation (I can talk and play at the same time!) or to make requests! 
Please do come say "hi".
​
Kreenah

PS: pictured is my latest painted instrument: a trumpet. For sale. $250
​Commission a flute, clarinet or trumpet. Let me know what colors or design theme you'd like!

Many of my performances are private events. 

Here are public performances you may see me play this Spring and Summer 2025:


Most Saturdays or Sundays at Woodland Mall: Von Maur. Solo Piano from 3-6pm.

Saturday, April 26: Hastings Jazz Festival with Ransom Street Big Band 
@ Walldorf Ballroom 10am

Saturday, May 17: Grandville HS with Ransom Street Big Band and New Horizons’ Music Ensembles @ 7pm

Wednesday, May 30th: Wyoming Senior Center: Grand Rapids Symphonette concert. 7pm

Thursday, June 12: Calder City Concert Band at Covenant Living of Great Lakes 7pm

Wednesday, June 18: Calder City at Beacon Hill at Eastgate 7pm

Thursday, June 19: Beer City Winds at St. Cecelia Music Center at 7pm

Wednesday, July 16: Second Congregational Church at 7pm with Calder City Concert Band

Thursday, July 17: Beer City Winds at St. Cecelia at 7pm

Do you have an event planned this summer that needs music? Contact me for event music. I love to play piano for weddings, parties, etc.

​Kreenah

I will be resuming in home lessons this summer. This is ideal for home school students, or sibling groups. I do offer a discount for more than one student at the same location. (-$5 a week for each student after the first)

In addition, I am offering a special 6 week package: choose your own dates and times over the course of the summer. This will fit into your unique vacation and travel schedule!

Save $$ Only $169 for this package (prepaid only)

Or, you can enjoy the consistency of lessons every week for 10 weeks on either Mondays or Thursdays. (three Thursdays will move to the following Fridays to accommodate my performance schedule.)

30 minute lessons (beginners in first year)....... $35
45 minute lessons (2 years of study) .........$50

Contact Kreenah now: [email protected]
to secure your slot for clarinet, piano, or vocal lessons this summer.

​Home school students beginning this summer will also have first choice of Fall 2025 lesson times. Fees will be increasing for NEW students in the fall. However, if you begin this summer, you will maintain the summer fees when you continue in the fall. 

​I have been allied with The Piano Cottage now for 1 year, and this has worked out very well for me. In addition to taking care of the business end of things, it has been a great source for acquiring new students. I have had the privilege of working with some really wonderful young people. And a few adults. I am teaching piano, clarinet and voice there.

I would love to branch out more into the home school community by providing in-home lessons for families this year again. Pre-COVID, this was over half of my music student demographic. Spring 2020, I did learn to Zoom lessons, and that was quite a learning experience for me. But, I still prefer sitting next to students and providing immediate corrections and hands-on demonstrations. I really rely, too, on adjusting the direction of instruction based on my students' cues, both verbal and non-verbal. I like to keep variety during lessons: playing together, improvising, ear training, music games, watching a YouTube performance, etc.  However, I know there are several teachers out there to choose from. 

What I pride myself on providing is an individual approach for the unique learning styles and goals of each and every one of my students. My broad experience has enabled me to try many different approaches. I want to fashion lesson experiences that mold to the students' direction of learning. Through this process, I also have been able to learn various techniques and approaches from student suggestions and their experiences. Music lessons with me are definitely a two-way street, and every session is an exploration into what works, how we learn, musical ideas and FUN!

Here's where you could hear me perform: 

I continue to perform at Von Maur, Woodland Mall. I play piano with Good Medicine Band, and fill in with Ransom Street Big Band and In Full Swing occasionally also. I play for Sunday Services at St. Luke's Lutheran Church on 4 mile. On clarinet, I am playing in Grand Rapids Symphonette, and Calder City Concert Band. I provide piano/vocal event music for organizations that call on me for parties and receptions. I also sing often at Temple Emanuel services on Fulton Street. 

Greetings to all my precious students this month. I want to wish you all a healthy, safe and happy holiday this December. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or simply the change in seasons: may it be a positive time for you and your family to observe your own traditions.

I wanted to send a reminder to please return the surveys which I gave you in packets at the beginning of November. I only have had one returned. These will be helpful for The Piano Cottage as we evaluate our offerings. 

If you would be willing to help, we are also looking for live lesson videos we can use to promote TPC. If your child is willing to participate in this, please let myself or Anna at the front desk know. 

The Piano Cottage is observing a Winter Break to coordinate with most school breaks this year. NO lessons from December 23 to January 6th. The studio is also closed on Monday, January 15, which will affect my Monday students. Make up lesson week for Spring Semester is February 13 - 19. So, unless you need a makeup, you will not have a lesson that week either. You can find all the calendar information on TPC website also.

Enjoy creating music!
​Ms. Kreenah

I still have plenty of slots open at The Piano Cottage! I am also willing to travel to your home. We can compare which option works best for you. Here is my availability:


Fall 2023 lessons:
Sunday: Students homes, 3-6 (starting in October)
Monday: The Piano Cottage 5-8
Tuesdays: Homeschool sibling groups: in their homes 9-3, TPC 4-8 or Tuesday: instrumental lessons at your child's school, we can work that out with their director! 
Wednesdays: no lessons
Thursdays: The Piano Cottage 3:30 only slot left
Fridays: full roster
Saturdays: no lessons
​
Schedule subject to changes, depending on demand.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Get your music ON!
Ms. Kreenah

Great News! 
I am honored to be included on the staff of excellent musicians and instructors at The Piano Cottage on Boston, SE in Grand Rapids. 

One of the biggest challenges to me personally in rebuilding after 2020 has been a venue and marketing. The Piano Cottage provides these things to me. This studio has outstanding leaders and amazing students. I already have a few students, and am eager to fill my schedule.

I also want to continue to offer my sibling specials during the day for Home School families. This day will be Tuesday, beginning after Labor Day. I am willing to travel to your home. (Grand Rapids area) Parents may continue instruction for other children while the music students take turns learning with Ms. Kreenah. After the first student at full price, all other siblings are just $15 each. As a former home school mom of many, I know families have appreciated this service in the past. I do expect this day to fill quickly, so make your reservations NOW. I do affiliate with Hamilton Homeschool Community Partners. 

Many new and exciting options for Music Education. I look forward to meeting you all!

Musically Yours,
Ms. Kreenah