When the preparatory music department wanted to expand its course offerings, Nguyen began looking for grants. The eventually awarded two digital pianos to launch the weekly lessons for adults. 91短视频 bought two more to outfit a full classroom.

Most of Nguyen’s students are over 50 years old, and join the class because such an activity is 鈥渙n my bucket list.鈥� Nine students enrolled in the first session, with more on the roster for upcoming terms. Many have some instrumental experience from earlier in life, and want to build on previous skills for personal recreation or church participation.

For Barbara Feichtinger, from nearby New Market, the class is 鈥渏ust fabulous.鈥� Like all students, Feichtinger is free to drop the course or take session breaks every seven weeks, but she can鈥檛 imagine doing that.

鈥淚’m just inspired to move on,鈥� she says.

director says that part of the department鈥檚 mission is 鈥渢o provide music education for everyone.鈥� For adults who want to learn an instrument, but may be intimidated by one-on-one instruction or prefer more social interaction, group lessons are 鈥渁 low-key way of doing that鈥� and also less expensive than private lessons, she says.

Each weekly class begins with stretching to classical music.

鈥淭hat’s one of the reasons why they come and take piano,鈥� says Nguyen. 鈥淭hey want to be relaxed.鈥�

After reviewing techniques taught in previous sessions, the group progresses to playing songs together.

鈥淭he group class really meets a need for adults,鈥� says Miller.

Feichtinger agrees. 鈥淲e all started with music when we were young,鈥� she explains. 鈥淲e know the value of music, and how therapeutic it is 鈥� I really need therapy this year, so I came back to the piano!鈥� Outside of the class, Feichtinger practices her mother’s old 鈥淒eep Purple鈥� sheet music for entertainment.

Eventually, the preparatory music department would like to partner with local institutions, such as , that 鈥減rovide opportunities for development of the person,鈥� says Miller.

Music can provide healing and a constructive mode of expression, she adds.

鈥淚 love it!鈥� says Nguyen, who hopes to attract 91短视频 students and more local adults to the program. 鈥淎fter classes, I am still full of that teaching energy.鈥�

The James Madison University alumna was presented two digital pianos, given to candidates who demonstrate a passion and aptitude for recreational music teaching and who are starting, or expanding, their careers as independent piano teachers.

Nguyen will use those pianos, as well as two additional pianos purchased by 91短视频, to teach group piano lessons for adults this fall as part of the 91短视频 Preparatory Music Program.

鈥淭he idea behind the program is that music is for everybody,鈥� says Nguyen. 鈥淲e鈥檙e hoping to get adults who have taken a lesson in the past and quit, or those who have always wanted to take a lesson but haven鈥檛. The focus is on having an enjoyable experience. There鈥檚 no pressure to play solo in front of others.鈥�

Students will practice on digital pianos, learning by ear in the beginning and gradually reading music. Nguyen says improvisation will be encouraged on the pianos, which come equipped with functions that transform the sound into a range of tones, from organ to choir.

Nguyen has been teaching the instrument since she enrolled as a piano performance major at JMU and taught group lessons while pursuing her master鈥檚 degree at Florida State University.

鈥淚t was there I grew to love teaching group piano,鈥� she says. 鈥淲ith group lessons, we can play ensemble pieces, where one person plays a melody and another bass. It creates a very full sound that鈥檚 completely different from you by yourself at the piano.鈥�

Nguyen says she prefers teaching non-music majors, who take the class voluntarily and are excited to practice and learn. Nguyen will be using a book, but says she will also use supplementary materials and ask for song requests.

Sharon Delawder of Harrisonburg says she signed up for the classes to challenge herself and keep busy.

鈥淚 retired earlier in the year and was looking for something to stay active,鈥� Delawder says. 鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to learn an instrument, and when my daughter was taking lessons, I tried to follow along, but didn鈥檛 have time to keep up.鈥�

Nguyen says research has shown that music can help reduce stress by reversing the body鈥檚 response, significantly lowering heart rates and regulating blood pressure.

Contact the 91短视频 preparatory music program at 540-432-4220 for more information or to register.

Courtesy of the Daily News Record, Aug. 21, 2014