Trot!
Optional 5th Year of LPM-format learning

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**Registration now open**

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Please read through this entire page prior to enrolling so that you understand the registration process and an overview of Trot.

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Trot!

August 2026 to May 2027

Up to six (6) children in class.

Classes are once per week for a total of 32 classes.
Prerequisites: Students must first complete the Let's Play Music and Bridge programs.​

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Trot! is such an exciting year for our students.  We will continue all the musical aspects that have been important in the studies of a well-rounded musician up to this point - sight-reading, improvisation, music form and structure, chord form and structure, music theory, composer history, learning to play in different keys, dictation and compose an original piece in the spring.  The concepts we will be reviewing and learning are truly college-level, but presented in a way that is easy to understand...all in the joyful company of peers that provide such a positive group learning experience.

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Any equestrian knows that a horse's gait can range in speed and intensity from a walk, trot, canter, to gallop!  Trot! was aptly named for the fact that this year, the weekly practice load and assignments are both a little lighter than they were in 3rd Year and Bridge (which sometimes may have felt as exciting and intense as a canter or gallop!).  Your kiddos have learned a LOT of concepts, skills and theory, and we want to give them some time to let everything take root (like those bamboo shoots we've discussed before!).  We will learn plenty of new concepts, keys and songs, but will also take ample time to review and digest all of the amazing stuff we have covered up to this point.

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Weekly home workload will be 1 sight-reading and rhythm exercise, 1 key signature (scales, chords, triads, arpeggios, etc), 1-2 exercises from their chords book, and 2 pieces from their songbook.  Theory will be 2 pages per week. The study of classical music and music history will continue as well, but we won't have history homework to complete at home.

Trot! Overview

Class time for 2026-2027:

Wednesdays 6:00-7:00pm - one spot left

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General calendar:
Early August through early December – 16 Fall lessons
January through early May – 16 Spring lessons
Recital – early/mid May

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Class duration: 60 minutes a week

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Parental involvement:

Parents assist with keyboard/piano practice at home.  As in years prior, it will ultimately be the parent's responsibility to ensure practices happen.  Also, if you have a "real" piano (aka an acoustic piano), the piano must be professionally tuned once per year.

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Parents are not required to attend regular class in Trot!, but as always, are welcome to observe!  Note: Parents *do* attend on the last lesson of each semester (Lesson 16 and Lesson 32) for a Semester Showcase where the kids present an overview of their semester.  The kids look forward to these classes with you so much!

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Tuition: 

$720 for the entire Trot! year ($90/mo for 8 months of instruction).
 

--An $80 non-refundable deposit is required by March 31st to secure your child’s spot.  This will be put toward the tuition balance so that $640 will remain when classes start.  The remaining balance of $640 *can* be paid in four monthly installments of $160 ( due on Lessons 1, 5, 9 and 13 of the fall semester).  If you decide to pull your registration from Trot! prior to classes starting, the $80 deposit will be retained.

1st Year was $60/mo, 2nd Year $70/mo, 3rd Year and Bridge were $80/mo.  Barring unforeseen circumstances, $90/mo will be the same for your child for all future upper levels as well -- it will NOT continue increasing each year.  As always, if tuition is the only obstacle to your child participating in the program, please reach out to me.

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--If you're wondering, the answer is yes -- Mrs. Katie DOES teach higher levels as well. :)  Currently, POP! is the 6th optional year, and STARS is the 7th optional year!

Registration for Trot! is open now!

Registration is a 3-step process:

1) Register your child for Trot! here.
 

2) Pay $80 non-refundable deposit by March 31st.  Payable to Katie Shannon via cash, check, PayPal or Venmo.  Can be slipped into Katie's studio tuition dropbox or mailed to P.O. Box 796, La Porte, IN 43652.

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3) Purchase materials by July 15th - I will email you the list of books!  Alternatively, I can calculate the total and purchase them for you.

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