About the Instructor: I have been teaching piano professionally for 10 years, and I also am director for a music academy with 10 teachers and nearly 200 students. Over the last 2 years, I have been building a website www.hoffmanacademy.com which provides online video piano instruction for free. I now have 50 lessons live. The lessons are geared for ages 5 to 10, but I've also heard from many adults and teens who have been enjoying using my lessons. The lessons are simple and fun, yet also thorough, covering all aspects of a solid musical training, including fluency in note and rhythm reading, technique, and music theory.
When I was a teenager, “I had all the answers”. Then when I was in college “I knew everything”. I graduated and “I knew all there was to know”. When I got married I made sure my husband knew “I had all the answers”. But then when I became a parent and I had my first child, I did not have all the answers. I had hardly any of the answers. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt totally at a loss? Aren’t we parents supposed to know everything there is to know? We’re supposed to have all the answers? But as they say, we don’t get a manual when we have our first child. Sure I could solve most of the everyday problems, like putting a band-aid on a cut. But I wasn’t prepared for the day that my daughter came home from second grade and told me something that shook my view of myself, as a parent and my career as a teacher. I was definitely in the position of not knowing the answers that day, the day my sweet, innocent 2nd grade daughter looked into my eyes and told me that I had failed as a parent and as a teacher. She didn’t say it in those words, but that’s how I felt when she told me that she had failed the 2nd grade reading assessment test. I remember how shocked and confused and inadequate I felt that day. I thought, “But I’m an excellent parent and a teacher. How could this have happened and how could I have failed so horribly?” My whole identity was crushed. After I overcame my shock, I decided that I had to do something about it to save not only my daughter, but my confidence as a parent and my reputation as a teacher. I started doing some research and then I got on the phone and I called all of the neighbors who had kids my daughter’s age and I said, “I need your help. Could I have your child come over to my house and be in a reading group that I’m starting? My daughter really needs help in reading, and I want other kids to be involved and I need your help.” So the first day I had all the kids sitting down in my living room, the smell of popcorn was in the air. We had a snack and we just started playing reading games and having a good time. I noticed as the weeks went on, that they were learning a great deal and they were having fun. I still didn’t know if this was going to solve my problem, if it was going to give me the results that I was really looking for, but I knew I just needed to keep going at it. Okay, now imagine how I felt six months later when I was talking with my daughter’s teacher and she informed me that my daughter was not below grade level now but in fact had gone two grade levels above. All my fear and stress just melted away and my confidence was back. I had found the answers, maybe not all the answers to life’s problems, but I had solved this one. The reading class had been so successful that I added more and more students until there were too many to fit in my home. We then moved to a local community center, where the classes have been running for over 10 years. To this day, they continue to have large waitlists of children trying to get into the program. I have added additional locations, but wanted to reach more children than just those in my immediate geographic location. I decided to write, What Children Need to Learn to READ – the complete parent’s guide to ensuring literacy, a love of reading, and school readiness – Birth through the Early Grades Edition. Within the book I spell out my approach for the first time so that all parents and caregivers can help their children achieve the same success that my daughter and my students have achieved.
From the Author: Learners Lane is a company that offers educational information, products, programs, and services to support families and their children in their quest for learning. "What Children Need to Learn to READ–The complete parent’s guide to ensuring literacy, a love of reading, and school readiness–Birth through the Early Grades Edition", is the ultimate early learning resource. Packed with age-appropriate tips, techniques, fun activities, checklists, & common-sense suggestions, this one-of-a-kind book will answer your questions, boost your confidence, & prepare you for one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do! You’ll learn: what works best for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, & early elementary students; how to make reading a FUN & familiar part of everyday life; where to find the best children’s books, magazines, games, websites, & more. Includes engaging activities, tips, instructions & resources. Features songs, rhymes, games, & other great language boosters. On the right track? Check out the Reading Checklist in Chapter 3. Finalist in the Foreword’s Book of the Year Awards in the Parenting category. Also available is a fun and engaging music CD that includes the Magic Letter Song and all the songs and rhymes from the book. I would love to offer books and CDs for review and giveaway. Thanks! www.LearnersLane.com http://www.youtube.com/user/LearnersLane#p/a/u/2/Dqxq-GTlBMM (video clips of some of the activities in What Children Need to Learn to READ) Michelle Vallene has a teaching degree with specialties in both reading and English. While raising her three children, she started a successful education business, Learners Lane, beginning with reading classes out of her home. Due to the large demand for the reading programs, the classes were moved out of her home and continue to run at local elementary schools and community centers. Michelle wrote the recently published book, What Children Need to Learn to READ – The Complete Parent’s Guide to Ensuring Literacy, a Love of Reading, and School Readiness – Birth through the Early Grades Edition. The book has gotten rave reviews and has already helped many families build a strong foundation for reading success. The book is a finalist in the Foreword 2010 Book of the Year Awards in the Parenting Category. Michelle is on the Board of Directors for the Washington State Foundation for Early Learning. She also currently teaches part-time as a reading and math specialist and is a professional speaker. Michelle has also been featured in newspapers, on websites, and on many radio shows around the country and in Canada. Thanks!
BUY IT: You can buy this book here for just $14.95!
WIN IT: One (1) winner will receive a Book and Audio CD --- “What Children Need to Learn to READ – the complete parent’s guide to ensuring literacy, a love of reading, and school readiness – birth through the early grades edition” by Michelle Vallene. (Value: $25.00 USD)* Please leave your entries to the Rafflecopter form below. ** YOU MUST DO THE MANDATORY ENTRY FIRST AT THE TOP OF THE FORM, OR YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED! DON'T TWEET WITHOUT DOING THE MANDATORY ENTRY!
Today is the Record Store Day, which is an internationally celebrated day observed the third Saturday of April each year. As I read in Wikipedia, its purpose, as conceived by independent record store employee Chris Brown, is to celebrate the art of music. The day brings together fans, artists, and the over 700 independently owned record stores in the United States, along with hundreds of independent record stores across the world.
So, in honor of this day, thanks to Denise Marsa, the President of Denise Marsa Productions/KeyMedia Relations, we are giving away free MP3s of the indie artist stars from The Music Mentor TV USA.
About the Company:
KeyMedia Public Relations is a boutique marketing and public relations firm founded by music veteran, Denise Marsa. We bring visibility and opportunities to our clients in the arts & entertainment industries. KeyMedia Group is a full service production / record label, artist mentoring and management company. We help our clients make a global impact and we strive to work on projects that speak and translate to many people of different generations, backgrounds and cultures.
-->The Music MentorTV: We Help Musicians Navigate The Labryinth of the Music Business DENISE MARSA – An established international recording artist early in her career, Denise Marsa has created a sound described as uniquely beautiful, eclectic and powerful. Marsa, a self taught keyboardist, mixes; pop, folk, rock and classical genres to create an organic and warm sound based around themes of personal and social journeys. In 1998, after two decades in the music business, Marsa took matters into her own hands, and self- produced and released her critically acclaimed CD SELF. She formed KeyMedia Group/ KeyMedia Public Relations through her production company Denise Marsa Productions, LLC. Her work focuses on the arts and entertainment industries as well as mentoring new young talent. Marsa has had two successful chart-topping hit records, “Lucky Stars,” a famous duet with Dean Friedman out of the UK and as the lead vocalist on The Flirts dance record, “Helpless (You Took My Love)” out of Germany. Marsa has been co-published by Warner Bros, UK and Warner/Chappell, LA.
NICOLE BERKE – With a unique, soulful sound and lyrics that are poetic and personal, Nicole Berke brings forth themes of love, loss and human nature to connect with audiences in an honest and authentic way. Blending jazz, soul and pop together with powerful piano and vocals, she evokes the blues styles of old and new. Her music has been compared to a wide variety of artists, including Fiona Apple, Stevie Wonder, Etta James and Radiohead. In September of 2009 Nicole moved to Portland, Oregon where she completed her last year of college at Portland State College with a BA degree in Social Psychology from U Mass, Boston. Berke is now focusing on her live shows, and sharing her immense talents with thrilled audiences throughout the west coast at universities, clubs and music festivals. A truly gifted young performer whose piano, vocal and writing skills equally shine every time she walks on stage.
RACHEL MILLMAN - Springfield, New Jersey singer Rachel Millman is bringing her well crafted pop music to the masses one fan at a time. Taking the indie route and keeping her direction her own, Rachel Millman released her 5 song CD IF I BELIEVE with her manager/mentor in September of 09’ and with dozens of rave reviews, has not looked back. Beautiful, cool, calm and poised, Rachel is steadily gaining national attention. Rachel has been performing since she was 10 and had her first starring role on stage at 14 as the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. After putting her dreams aside for her academic career for four years, she graduated in 08’ from Penn State with a degree in communications. After a few months working behind the scenes at a record label she knew she had to return to her life’s passion, her singing career; she was not willing to sacrifice her dreams any longer. Described by those that attend her concerts as spectacular, funny, genuine and engaging, Rachel has a three octave voice that is beautiful, powerful and expressive. Millman recently performed live on NBC New York, impressing all those that watched her television debut. She performed her beautiful heart-felt single Throwin’ Rocks at the Moon acoustically with members of her band. Millman’s focus over the past year has been performing at venues in the northeast with her fine tuned band; captivating audiences and gaining fans, along the way.
DANE MICHAEL GLYNN - Adorable, charming with an angelic expressive voice, up and coming teen pop artist Dane Michael Glynn is making a splash with his debut release Sir Dream A-Lot. His organic pop songs, mixed with his big personality and his striking good looks are captivating young listeners internationally. Dane caught the singing bug the moment he saw his first Broadway musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at age six. Spanning a decade of musical theatre performances and an impressive amount of training, Dane continues to distinguish himself as a leader, not only as a vocalist and actor, but as a warm and charismatic young man with the talent, the discipline and the determination to make his dreams a reality. Sir Dream A-Lot the EP’s title track and first single is Top 40 radio perfect for the pre teen and teen listeners.
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TWEET THIS: @sweepstakelover 6 winners will #win 4 free mp3s of the indie artist stars http://bit.ly/ghMSfR Ends 04/23 WORLDWIDE#giveaway
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The contest will end on April 23, 2011 at midnight (Turkish time / EET). Open WORLDWIDE. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified via e-mail. The winner must respond within 48 hours or another one will be chosen.
* I wasn't paid or didn't receive anything in any way. I'm not responsible for the delivery of the prize.I'm not affiliated with this company.
If you have weight problems and want to lose weight and become thin, this giveaway is for you. Thanks to Kelly Stallings from Life is Mental, you will achive this. Her book offers a mental formula for weight loss and long term weight management. This is the missing piece in the billion dollar weight loss industry.
The author says: "I offer a few free gifts for anyone interested in my training. Readers can go to www.lifeismental.com/freegift.html to receive their gifts.
About the Author: Kelly Stallings is a licensed psychotherapist and the author of Life is Mental: Think Thin to Live Thin, the simple solution for addressing the mental aspect of weight loss. She has more than 14 years of experience working with people in group settings to create significant changes in their life including increased overall physical health. Kelly’s experience reaches beyond working directly with clients. She has extensive experience training medical professionals on the appropriate uses of cognitive behavioral techniques for client’s healthy living. The Life is Mental formula is the ‘missing piece’ in the weight loss industry. Everyone always says weight loss is mental. Kelly’s mental formula for weight loss and weight management is a proven effective training that is easy to incorporate into daily life for quick results that last a lifetime.
OFFER:The homepage, www.LifeisMental.com offers a discount for readers. Discount offer changes, but there is always a special discount on the home page.
WIN IT: Two (2) winners will receive a copy of Life is Mental: Think Thin to Live Thin book, companion CD, and habit band. (Value: $40.00 USD)
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TWEET THIS: @sweepstakelover 2 winners will #win a copy of Life is Mental book, companion CD, and habit band http://bit.ly/gKn3T3 Ends 12/23 WORLDWIDE
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The contest will end on December 23, 2010 at midnight (Turkish time / EET). Open WORLDWIDE. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified via e-mail. The winner must respond within 48 hours or another one will be chosen.
* I wasn't paid or didn't receive anything in any way. I'm not responsible for the shipping of the prize.I'm not affiliated with this company.
Have you ever tried hypnosis to fix something in your life? If you are interested in such self improvement subjects, you will really love this giveaway, which is Don Barnhart Self Improvement Hypnosis CD’s. PS: Sometimes I listen to subliminal or binaural audios especially when I'm writing songs for my band; I need inspiration :)
From the Product Owner: Achieve Your Goals - Live Your Dreams With Hypnosis Audio CD's By Certified Hypnotist Don Barnhart Certified Hypnotist Don Barnhart has created a personal improvement program using the power of hypnosis to help you achieve your goals and live your dreams. There are no gimmicks, no pills and no magic tools. Don Barnhart’s self hypnosis CD’s help you to unlock the power of your subconscious mind and take control of your life. Don’s program is designed for those who are ready to take control of their life and want a NATURAL, EASY, and DRUG FREE way to achieve their goals and change their habits and behaviors created by Certified Hypnotist Don Barnhart. Barnhart's Self-Improvement Hypnosis Programs are specifically designed to provide you a powerful, step-by-step hypnotic technique that will allow you to evolve into the person you desire. With the current problems in the Health Care Industry, your best defense is preventative health care by taking control of your life. These programs are so powerful that they are 100% guaranteed. If you’re not completely satisfied and happy with the results you receive after 30 days, Don will refund your money. “If you want to learn to play tennis or the piano, you would seek out a coach, if you want to live a better life you would do the same. These are not self help products, these are self improvement programs to help you be a winner in all aspects of your life”, added Don. Don Barnhart’s Personal Improvement Hypnosis Programs Help You To: • Make behavior changes effortlessly • Be free of unhealthy habits • Feel good about yourself • Enjoy a healthier lifestyle • Become the person you desire • Experience hypnosis in a comfortable surrounding • Become healthier, happier, and more successful Hypnosis can be a powerful tool to help you reach your goals, transform your life, and live your dreams. Don's list of self-hypnosis & motivational audio CDs, books and other programs can offer you a way to focus effort and influence positive outcomes. Whatever your desires may be you have the ability to change, improve and grow by becoming more conscious of the instructions you input into your subconscious mind. Stop Smoking, Lose Weight, Improve Your Memory, Build Confidence, Release Stress Overcome Insomnia, Control Pain, Improve Your Golf or Sports Game and much more... Barnhart is the first to share, “I’ve used these techniques for over twenty five years to overcome my own limitations, addictions and negative thought patterns.” Thousands of people just like you have used self-hypnosis CDs to make positive changes in their lives. They've listened to these CDs and have been able to manage chronic pain, get off sleeping pills, improve their self-esteem, and handle life's little surprises a whole lot easier. Direct suggestion CDs are an excellent way to make the changes you desire. For a one-time investment, you are purchasing a number of personalized hypnotic sessions. All audio programs created and authored by Don Barnhart and include a 100% No Questions Asked Money Back Guarantee!!! Orders are subject to a flat-rate $4.95 shipping charge for USPS priority mail service, no matter the order size.
OFFER:Anyone that buys a hypnosis CD will get 10 dollars off the $34.95 price or if they order all 8 CD’s they’ll get 20% saving $76. BUY IT: You can buy among the hypnosis CDs for Weight Loss, Smoking Cessation, Stress Release, Pain Management, Banish Insomnia, Confidence, Memory and Concentration, or Personal Power Self Hypnosis Program!
WIN IT: Five (5) winners will receive a Personal Power Hypnosis CD – A Self Improvement Audio CD to help you achieve your goals, live your dreams and live a healthy, happy and successful life. You can choose any CD. (Value: $34.95 USD)
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The contest will end on November 10, 2010 at midnight (Turkish time / EET). Open WORLDWIDE. Winner will be chosen by random.org and notified via e-mail. The winner must respond within 48 hours or another one will be chosen.
* I wasn't paid or didn't receive anything in any way. I'm not responsible for the shipping of the prize.I'm not affiliated with this company.
