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17 | Friday, September 5, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Fall Registration Students seeking private music lessons have options Time and again research has proven the benefits of music education. Children who study music typically score better on standardized testing and exhibit improved language and reasoning skills, and music education helps students with advanced mathematics lessons by improving their spatial and temporal reasoning. Despite these benefits, music and art education is slowly disappearing from the classroom. At many schools across the nation, stages are dark and band and chorus rooms are empty. Budget cuts have been unkind to music education programs. To keep up with the demand for technology in the classroom, certain school programs have to be scaled back, and art and music are generally the first to go. This leaves it up to parents to involve their kids in music education. Private lessons have long been a great way for kids to learn music, and many such music coaches are former music teachers. With private lessons, kids get to benefit from working with certified instructors, and parents are happy to make music a part of their youngsters' lives. The following are a handful of ways parents can find private lessons for their kids. * Word of mouth: Begin by asking neighbors or friends in the community if they know of any reliable music teachers. Someone is bound to know a person or have a connection to a music teacher. Speak with members of a community music ensemble, such as a church choir, or even amateur or professional musicians you see playing at a restaurant or bar. There's a good chance you can get a referral. You may also have a friend or neighbor who is a talented musician and will agree to offer lessons on the side. * Community music programs: While schools may not have music classes, community centers offer programs for both adults and children. A community arts center may offer instrument training and/or vocal lessons, so look into such organizations in your community. A community YMCA or a similar organization also may have afterschool music programs. * Nearby colleges: Music students at local colleges may want to make extra money by offering music lessons. They may be able either to meet at your home or use the music room on campus to conduct lessons. * Newspaper classifieds: Tutors frequently advertise their services in the newspaper. Look in the classified section to see if anyone is offering music lessons. Many newspapers now offer their classifieds both online and in print, so utilize both options to ensure your search is as thorough as possible. Music education is important, but those seeking instruction may have to look outside of school. Private instructors are available to help foster a love of the arts and mold creative, well-rounded children. (MCC) IrIsh Dance lessons wIth OAKVILLE the GoGGIn-carroll COME DANCE WITH US... school of IrIsh Dance Teaching Recreational and Competitive Irish Dance to Canada's top Irish dancers for over 25 years ANNEX Dance ACADEMY INC. Fall Registration Now opeN Boys & Girls ages 4 and up · Teen & Adult Beginner Classes too! Trial Classes throughout September starting September 6th Saturdays at 9:30 am · Mondays at 6:00 pm · Thursdays at 5:00 pm www.goggin-carroll.com · dance@goggin-carroll.com Conveniently located at the QEW & Trafalgar Road · 1040 South Service Road East Classes for ages 3-18 Recreational & Competitive No pre-registration required but recommended W W W . A N N E X D A N C E A C A D E M Y. C O M | 9 0 5 . 8 2 9 . 1 6 1 0