By Heidi Bitsoli, Special to The Macomb Daily (original article here) At an age when most children are still learning their ABCs, Macomb Township’s Julian Pavone was already securing his place in history. Officially recognized by Guinness World Records at just 5 years, 10 months, and 3 days old, Julian earned the title of Youngest […]
Macomb boy drums way to a Guinness record
Macomb’s Drumming Prodigy Sets a Guinness World Record At just 7 years old, Macomb Township’s Julian Pavone has already made a huge mark in the world of music. After appearing on over 150 television programs—including “Good Morning America,” “Inside Edition,” and even “The Oprah Winfrey Show” twice—Julian recently achieved official recognition as the youngest professional […]
One-on-One Guitar Coaching in Grosse Pointe Park
There’s something energizing about being surrounded by natural beauty and vibrant community spaces. In Grosse Pointe Park, this energy flows into everything—from lakeside walks to outdoor concerts, and yes, even music education. If you’re looking to elevate your playing with personalized instruction, one-on-one guitar coaching in Grosse Pointe Park offers the perfect mix of individualized […]
Free Intro Guitar Class at the Harper Woods Library
Starting August 8th, the Grosse Pointe Music Academy will be sponsoring the non-profit organization Detroit Music Initiative in their efforts to bring music to those for whom it’s out of reach. The DMI will be providing four weekly hour-long classes that are open for enrollment to the public. The classes, which will be held every […]
Piano Lesson Myths: A Fresh Look at Common Misconceptions
Piano students of all ages often find themselves battling long-held myths about learning the instrument. These ideas, while deeply ingrained in popular culture, can actually slow progress and discourage learners if left unchallenged. Howard Richman, a respected pianist and educator, offers insight into many of these common misconceptions, encouraging students to rethink how they approach […]
Playing the songs you’ve heard over and over
Why Simple Songs Matter for Music Studentsby Henry Bahrou – Guitarist, Music Theorist, Music Academy Director You might not be thrilled at the idea of learning “Jingle Bells,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” but like it or not, these tunes will echo in your mind the moment they’re mentioned. Don’t […]
Finding the Kinesthetic Feeling of Rhythm
Helping Adult Piano Students Find Their Natural Sense of RhythmCommentary inspired by Matthew Harre’s writing at MusicFossils.com Many adult piano students struggle with maintaining a natural rhythmic pulse when learning to play. According to educator Matthew Harre, this difficulty often stems from an overemphasis on correct notes and a disconnection from the body’s innate sense […]
Paul McCartney brings a lifetime of hits to Comerica Park
Commentary inspired by Susan Whitall’s coverage in The Detroit News Even at age 69, Paul McCartney continues to be one of music’s most tireless figures, showing little interest in retirement. With a career spanning more than five decades, McCartney remains deeply engaged—touring, recording, and planning new projects with the same energy that made him a […]
Music Together Blog. Jackson, The Music Maker
Commentary based on insights by Lyn Ransom, D.M.A. How Everyday Music Making Shapes Early Childhood Music can be one of the most powerful and natural parts of a young child’s life. In her reflections, Lyn Ransom, D.M.A., describes how simple, everyday moments — singing about dinner, playing piano with a toddler, or letting young children […]
Don’t let summer stop your groove
With summer in full swing, many students take breaks from their music lessons to enjoy seasonal activities. While that’s understandable, what many students don’t realize is the importance of continuing to practice throughout their break — a point I always stress with my students. As practice time diminishes, so do the critical physical and mental […]
Fingerstyle guitar classes in Harper Woods
Don’t Toss That Guitar—Try Fingerstyle Guitar Classes in Harper Woods Instead! Let’s set the record straight: just because a guitar is missing a string doesn’t mean it’s trash. In fact, if you recently found yourself holding a dusty six-string with a snapped low E, congratulations—you may have just scored yourself a solid practice instrument. It’s […]
Get your child a full size guitar so they can grow into it…
Wait! The title idea for this post is completely wrong. Buying a full-size guitar for a beginning student so they can “grow into it” is one of the absolute worst things you could do for their musical future. If you subscribe to this philosophy, you may as well start buying clothes four sizes too big […]
Practice, Practice, Practice
Grosse Pointe Music Academy Consistent practice is essential for learning any musical instrument. It helps build muscle memory, improves technique, and deepens your understanding of music. Even short daily sessions can lead to noticeable progress and greater confidence in your playing.
Upgrading your guitar to a bone nut and saddle.
Often times I am asked by customers what upgrades they can make to their guitars to improve the sound of their instrument. Most of the time, I advise them to replace their nut and saddle with one made from a bone material. This is a fairly low cost repair that is always an improvement. Most […]
Am I ready for Rock Band Class?
Rock Band classes are small group lessons — typically three to five students — where musicians learn to play together rhythmically, develop performance skills, and build the teamwork necessary for successful group playing. An experienced teacher leads the class, offering individual coaching on instruments and providing objective feedback to help the group function as a […]
Why Early Childhood Music Education Matters
Introducing your child to music education early in life offers incredible benefits that reach far beyond simply learning to sing or play an instrument. Research increasingly shows that music training strengthens critical areas of brain development and helps shape lifelong skills. Here are just a few key advantages of early music education: 1. Language and […]
How Music Education Sharpens Kids’ Communication Skills
Music Education Helps Kids’ Brains With Sound Stimuli Many of us remember music class as a place where teachers constantly battled the noise of chatty students. Ironically, new research shows that music education may actually improve kids’ ability to communicate — even in noisy environments! A study highlighted in Science Daily found that children who […]
Taking Music Lessons with your son or daughter
Many people ask us if they can take music lessons alongside their son or daughter. Most often, these requests come for guitar or piano lessons, though sometimes for other instruments as well. Taking lessons together can be an excellent bonding experience, especially for beginners. Children are often deeply inspired by watching their parents play music. […]
Should I take music lessons as an adult?
We often get the same questions from adults who are thinking about learning an instrument:“Is your music academy only for children?”“Am I too old to learn guitar?”“Is 65 too old to start piano lessons?”“I’ve always wanted to play the violin — can I still learn?” The answer is simple: No, we are not just for […]
Brain Research and Music Instruction in the Curriculum
Why Arts Education Matters — Insights from Brain Research For years, schools across the U.S. cut back on arts programs to focus heavily on boosting reading and math scores. But emerging brain research suggests that arts education might actually help students excel across all subjects — not just creatively, but cognitively. According to a report […]