By Emma Prillaman: Da Capo Charter Student

Being a piano student at the Da Capo Institute is an inspiring, once in a lifetime experience that I wouldn’t want to miss. This experience enhanced, not only my piano playing skills but also my piano playing skills, but also my ability to play in front of others.

Every five weeks all individual students, (including voice, piano, violin, and flute) come together and share their music in a gathering called Studio Class. In Studio Class, first, everyone shares their name and what musical instrument they would share. Next, one at a time they would share their musical talent with everyone. After, the students acting as the audience would comment on the performance given, commenting on what the performer could improve on, and what he or she did right. Everyone went home trying to remember the constructive criticism they’d been given.

Being a part of The Da Capo Institute has inspired me to use my gift to help people in my community. One way I made a difference was by going to Morningside, a home for elderly folks who need assistance, and I performed. When I glanced out at the audience, everyone was smiling, so I knew I had made a difference in their day.

You may not know this, but I’m also a singer, I’m a part of Da Capo’s group voice instruction, Animato. You may be wondering, “What does Da Capo and Animato mean?” Well, Da Capo means start from the beginning in Italian, and Animato means animated.

I’ve let Da Capo make a difference in my life, how about you?

By Alyssa Prillaman - Da Capo Charter Student

When I was nine, I became a singer in Animato, a singing group designed for children in third, fourth, and fifth grade. We sang bunches of new and different songs, ranging from an opera chorus in “Carmen”, to an old African American spiritual song. We even learned a song called “Marienwurmchen”, which means ladybug in German.

During all sessions, we would have a focus point, such as folk songs or opera. Sometimes, we had interesting visitors come and talk to us about what kind of music they made. Completing fun homework assignments was also cool. We got the chance to make acrostics and we even illustrated one song. I learned a lot from researching famous composers, like Johannes Brahms and George Bizet.

The teachers were probably the best part about Animato. Mr. Lindsey rocks out on the piano for us and he always gives a little pizzazz to the group. Miss Heidi sometimes accompanies us on her flute, also. Last, but certainly not least, my mom, Miss Tracee, is the main director. She always manages to make you feel at home and you can ask her anything!

Animato and I have been an awesome pair these past couple of years, but I can’t wait until the fall when I will be in Cantare, the middle school group. I’ve learned so many new things this year, but now, it’s time for me to go up, up, and away soaring to new heights!

Gabby has had a fantastic experience as a student in Da Capo. Her enthusiasm for learning to play piano is contagious! The Da Capo method has provided her with a comfortable, yet structured approach to learning. It has also given her the opportunity to play in front of groups, further building self-confidence.

This summer, while not in Da Capo sessions, she has chosen to play daily and is teaching herself new pieces -- she can't wait to get back to the fall session and show her teacher what she's done. Just yesterday, she insisted I sit by her while she played her new, favorite Beethoven piece for me.

It's pretty exciting as a parent to watch an 8 year old child embrace something with such a passion and I attribute that passion largely to her experience with the Da Capo environment.

After several years of a lay off, I sought out some help to get my voice back in shape for a major production, in particular for one of the most difficult songs in the musical theater genre. Someone referred me to Jeff Prillaman of the Da Capo Institute.

Not only did Jeff help me get my voice back in shape, he provided me some of the most relevant and direct feedback and coaching that I have ever experienced in my singing career. His method is firm, yet gentle; he is serious about vocal study, but relaxed.

The show was an amazing success and my performance was well received. I most certainly owe a large portion of this to Jeff and his expertise. I would recommend the DaCapo staff and program to any of my peers.

Da Capo is an incredible learning opportunity for young musicians.

The ability to experience the combination of private lessons, studio classes, recitals, and public performance is an amazingly powerful teaching methodology that is traditionally not available to a musician until college.

As an ex-professional musician I wish I had the Da Capo approach during my early years of development. I would have progressed faster, with less effort, and developed those all important interpersonal skills earlier in life.

The Da Capo approach benefits the student in non-musical ways as well helping the student become comfortable performing in front of large groups through a scalable approach that is considerate of the young student's development curve.

--Graphic from http://www.successandhappiness.net/

As the principal accompanist for Da Capo, I have a unique perspective. I have watched both operating ensembles, Animato and Bel Canto, grow in myriad ways since their inception last fall.

To cite a couple of examples as regards the children’s group, Animato, I was struck recently by a trend: the children would begin rehearsing before they were supposed to begin rehearsing. They were singing their hearts out on a song they were currently preparing and/or doing one of the games/activities that Tracee uses. I recall it happening one week recently and continuing to some degree or another. Also, I found it greatly rewarding when some of them would recognize the finer musical points and, e.g., the breaking of a phrase to breathe on a half-note or a final consonant was not sounding. Tracee would prompt the question but someone would supply the answer. “We breathed and broke the phrase” or “there was no ‘nd’ in ‘bound.’”

As for the adults, I am taken by the response of the more novice singers to Jeff’s instruction, particularly in the last few weeks before the Bel Canto concert in May. The overall ensemble seemed to take more individual ownership of each person’s role. Indeed, much of the growth in solidity of the ensemble can attributed to the spirit of the group. The fellowship quality is high. Jeff has the wisdom to foster a balanced rehearsal: hard-core instruction with get-to-know-each-other time. We are humans with personalities and not just sound machines.

Happily, and much to its benefit, Bel Canto has a director who recognizes that, and its members build upon that and have just a wonderful rapport with each other.
One other outstanding thought: I particularly enjoyed the opening fall concert of Da Capo during which the children of the audience stood around the organ to watch the pedal solo. Their curiosity and wonder at the instrument and my ability to demonstrate it yielded one of the more fulfilling performance experiences of my life. Even if none of those children take organ or become interests, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share my gift and skill in that particular manner.

As I reflect back on this first year of rehearsals, lessons, and performances, I am struck by the growth that has taken place across all levels. We truly are a community. Relationships have formed within enembles, teachers and students have bonded, and there is a high level of respect among students for the work that each has put in this year.

Thinking back on my flute student beginning lessons in January I am amazed by her progress. She came to Da Capo with a little piano experience and no idea of what to do with the flute. By the end of this session she is playing short songs with proper articulations and can answer many theory questions. She is confident and excited about her progress.

My progress as a student has been exciting to experience. Singing in Bel Canto under Jeff’s direction has really helped me to grow in my confidence as a singer. I have not had a tremendous amount of formal singing experience, just church choir really, and I felt a little out of my league when we began in the fall. Now I feel like I can hold my own and I am excited to see where it will take me in the future.

Studio classes are such a wonderful experience for students and teachers alike. The students are very supportive of one another and are learning to accept positive feedback as well as criticism. It is a friendly environment in which to gain experience performing for others.

From Vicki Welch, Mgr:
Our student concert at Ginter Hall South on Saturday morning, June 9, was greatly appreciated by the attending residents and their Activities Director, Sarah Griffin. As we spoke afterwards, I told Sarah about the other nursing home concerts we had given during our first year. I explained that while we offered a concert at HRBC so people in the community could come to us, we also took our students out into the community to share their music with people who are unable to come to us. She was impressed to hear that sharing music with the community in this way is part of the foundation of our mission. Sarah commented that in particular regard to nursing home concerts, how gracious it was of us to provide through music, a time of encouragement and solace to the often-forgotten nursing home community. Our students DO make a difference with their music!

I am working with one student who has made a terrific transformation over the past 6 months. I call this person the "Da Capo posterchild"! This student came to me with serious peformance anxiety issues. So afraid to share their music with others. Through support, encouragement, education, and passsion, this student has risen to each performance opportunity with fabulous results.

This person is excited to be a part of studio classes and end of session performances. This student is setting an example for their family and teaching their younger sibling piano. This student works hard week after week to meet and exceed their goals.

You can do it too! We all have the power to transform people/situations with our music. Don't ever be afraid to share who you are! We all are unique!