I’m Sherri Granka. I love music and working with children! I have been married for 34 years and have two musical children, who are nearly adults. (My son recently completed his diploma in Audio Engineering and Recording at Metalworks. My daughter has played piano since age 3; she enjoys singing, dancing and playing violin when she’s not playing piano.)
I started piano at age 7 and grew up playing piano duets with my younger sister. Both my parents played piano; in fact, they played the Warsaw Concerto as a duet for my grandparents’ 50th anniversary. In high school, I practised piano, sang in a church choir and played flute in the school band.
Years later, when my son started violin, I learned along with him. I really enjoyed going to his lessons and helping him practise at home. He later switched to guitar; I continued practising violin and later played 1st and 2nd violin in a couple community orchestras, both in Toronto and in Brantford.
When a friend told me about a keyboard-based music program for small groups of children and their parents, I was intrigued. I was thrilled to learn about a program called Music for Young Children that included both music reading (based on creative “critter” stories for keyboard/staff notes and on note patterns) and playing by ear (using solfege, hand signs, and rhythm stories, or dictations). Other bonuses: children motivate each other in group classes and their parents are involved in the home practice sessions…a lot of progress happens as a result!
I encourage parents to attend private lessons with older beginners too. This way parents know exactly what their child should be practising at home and can help “coach”. My students often play duets at Christmas piano parties and year-end recitals. Learning to coordinate with another musician is not only a lot of fun, it builds listening and teamwork skills. Many of my students participate in the local Kiwanis festival, thereby gaining additional performing experience.
I have completed Grade 8 in piano (RCM), Grade 2 Theory, and the requirements for Music for Young Children certification. In Brantford, I taught theory to members of the Brantford Children’s Chorus and accompanied the junior choir, Con Brio. (I also have an M.A. in Social Science, and a B.A. in German with a minor in Music.)