Practice Notes - Rae of Sunshine Music

What Makes the RAE Program Different: A Suzuki-Based Approach

By Renae Nonaka September 9, 2026Parent Resources

https://youtube.com/shorts/2kvIq-GxUjg?feature=share Watch: Ms. Renae explains the heart behind the RAE program and why the Suzuki method shapes everything we do. Every Studio Has a Method. This One Is Ours. If…

What to Look for in a Music Teacher

By Renae Nonaka August 27, 2026Parent Resources

https://youtube.com/shorts/gCQX9Q50_0Y?feature=share Watch: Ms. Renae shares what matters most when choosing a music teacher, in 90 seconds. The Teacher Makes All the Difference Parents often spend weeks researching instruments, comparing prices,…

What Learning an Instrument Actually Does to Your Child’s Brain

By Renae Nonaka August 20, 2026Parent Resources

https://youtube.com/shorts/xuPK2PpraJQ?feature=share Watch: Ms. Renae explains the surprising brain benefits of music lessons in 90 seconds It's Not Just Music. It's a Full-Brain Workout. Parents often sign up for lessons because…

What If I Don’t Have Musical Talent

By Renae Nonaka August 13, 2026Parent Resources

Do You Need Natural Talent to Learn an instrument? A Teacher's Honest Answer https://youtube.com/shorts/g92F-1DBlD8?feature=share Watch: Ms Renae gently dismantles the "I don't have musical talent" myth in 90 seconds This…

Getting Back into the Practice Routine When School Starts

By Renae Nonaka August 6, 2026Parent Resources, Practice Tips

https://youtube.com/shorts/BV3SH9ig8Ug?feature=share Watch: Ms. Renae shares the simplest way to ease back into the practice routine without the battle. Summer Was Full. Now What? Summer has its own rhythm: camps, vacations,…

Do I Need an Expensive Instrument to Start Lessons? What Actually Matters

By Renae Nonaka July 30, 2026Frequently Asked Questions, Parent Resources

https://youtube.com/shorts/YDlYcAj3Ez0?feature=share Watch: Ms. Renae answers one of the most stressful questions for new music families - in 90 seconds The Worry Behind the Price Tag New parents often ask, almost…

Can Adults Learn an Instrument Just as Well as Children? A Question that Breaks My Heart a Little

By Renae Nonaka July 23, 2026Frequently Asked Questions

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZSJvrCMD2oE?feature=share Watch: Ms. Renae answers the question adults ask most - in less than a minute. "I'd love to learn piano. But I'm probably too old, right?" The short answer:…

When is the Recommended Age to Start Music lessons?

By Renae Nonaka July 17, 2026Parent Resources, Frequently Asked Questions

https://youtube.com/shorts/JuiN7Q3lQ4Y?feature=share Watch: Ms. Renae answers the most common first question parents ask, in 90 seconds. There's No Magic Number (But There Is a Sweet Spot) Almost every parent asks some…

How Long Should My Child Practice Their Instrument? A Realistic Guide for Busy Families

By Renae Nonaka July 9, 2026Frequently Asked Questions, Parent Resources

https://youtube.com/shorts/xAtN6QUcpU8 Watch: Ms Renae answers the #1 practice question in under two minutes. "How long should a child practice their instrument?" It's one of the first questions parents ask -…

How We Use “Review” to Keep Memorized Pieces Recital-Ready (and Why It Works)

By Renae Nonaka July 2, 2026Practice Tips

https://youtube.com/shorts/d29t770eHWI Watch: Ms Renae explains the Review routine in under three minutes Have you ever watched your child freeze when someone asks them to "play something" on their instrument? They've…