When was Stacy’s Studio created?
I began teaching group piano in 1996.

What is your musical background?
I grew up in a musical family. Growing up, my mother was our church pianist and my grandmother our church organist. My grandmother recently retired after playing for over 50 years! My two sisters and I were known in the East Texas area as the “Armstrong Trio”. We sang mostly country and southern gospel music. I took several years of piano lessons as a child and later in college. I graduated from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX with a bachelor’s degree in education and a minor in music. I taught 1st grade in Grand Saline, my hometown, before moving to Nashville, TN to pursue a career in singing and songwriting. During the 6 years I spent in Nashville, I worked for a recording studio singing on demos. I also directed children’s choirs and taught music in several elementary schools. After returning to Texas, I taught music for 3 years at Paul Keyes Elementary in Irving and 1 year at Slaughter Elementary in McKinney.

How did you hear about group piano lessons?
While teaching in Irving, I attended a seminar on the Mayron Cole Group Piano Method. It sounded interesting to me. I was teaching a few private students at the time and was having a difficult time motivating them to practice. I wanted to make learning more fun for them but didn’t know how. At the end of the seminar I was hooked! I knew I wanted to be a group piano teacher and teach the Mayron Cole Piano Method!

How did your music studio get started?
I got married in 1996 and moved to McKinney (my husband’s hometown). I started teaching group piano 2 nights a week while working full time as a music teacher at Slaughter Elementary. I began teaching in a building near the square in downtown McKinney, that was owned by a relative. After 2 months, he needed the space back, so my husband and I moved all 6, full size pianos into our apartment living room! In spite of the small, cramped space, my business began to grow.  By the fall of the following year, I was able to quit my job at the school and teach group piano full time. My husband and I had built a house in the historic district with a studio upstairs, above the garage. It wasn’t long before I had to hire additional teachers and convert our garage into a second studio. In the fall of 2002, we had to rent additional space for a third piano classroom, and in January 2003 we moved into our current facility on White Avenue.

What has made your studio so successful?
First, is using the Mayron-Cole Piano Method. This step-by-step, methodical approach focuses on 3 steps; playing/counting rhythm, exploring the keyboard, note reading. This 3-step approach insures that students have an understanding of one concept before progressing to the next. My experience has shown that it is easier to understand than most other piano methods. This unique group teaching method builds confidence, self-esteem and sound musical skills. Students become strong note readers rather than rote players or memorizers. Second, is because of good teachers. There are lots of good musicians out there. Just because a person is a good musician, doesn’t make him/her a good teacher. I look for teachers who relate well to kids. Obviously, they need to be well educated musically. Most of our teachers have music degrees and all have extensive musical backgrounds and experience working with children. In my opinion, if a teacher doesn’t know how to encourage & motivate students & help build their self-esteem, she is not a good teacher. I am proud to say that we have a great staff of teachers at our studio who truly have a gift for teaching.

What is your favorite part about teaching music?
Seeing how the students progress from year to year. It’s amazing to watch a class of 5-year-old students. When they begin in August, they have a difficult time listening and staying together. By their recital in May, they don’t sound like the same group. Parents are amazed! The same is true for students who have taken at our studio for 5 years. It’s very gratifying to hear them play at the Spring Recital having started them out as beginners. What a great feeling to know that you played a part in the musical education of so many students.

Why do students return year after year?
Because they’re learning a skill they will enjoy for their entire lives, and they’re having fun doing it! The group setting provides so much motivation for them to learn. We award tickets for practicing, good behavior, music memory (and more!) that can be cashed in once a month for prizes. We play fun theory games each week to help reinforce the concepts they have learned. Most students aren’t ready to leave after an hour-long lesson.

What made you decide to open a preschool?
First and foremost was a love for children and a desire to teach little ones. My son was 3 years old at the time and I was inspired to work with children his age. When I first began to think seriously about opening a preschool, all the details just seemed to fall into place. I already had a great facility with classroom space available during the day. I had an excellent Kindermusik teacher and later met talented art and classroom teachers who became equally excited about the idea of a preschool. I consulted with other preschool teachers and directors and I combined their expertise with my former teaching experience and devised a curriculum to suit the needs of our unique school.

After your first successful year of preschool,
what are you most proud of?
One day, I walked through the school and sat down in a spot where I could see all of the children. I observed one group taking care of babies in the home living center and one little girl talking on her cell phone as she pushed a stroller down the hall. Some were lounging on pillows in the reading center quietly looking at their books. One teacher was helping a child put together a puzzle. A group of boys were building a tall tower with blocks while a teacher worked with a small group on beginning letter sounds. As I sat and listened to the quiet hum all over the building, I realized how much learning actually goes on during each day. I am most proud that I play a small part in the growth and development of so many young children.

How is your preschool registration process handled?
Preschool registration begins at the first of February. Registration is offered first to current students and their siblings. Then, in mid-February, we begin open registration where anyone is invited to fill the available spots on a first come, first served basis. A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. You may call the studio or check out website for current registration information.