_{Instrument practice sessions for children, guided by a passioned music teacher. Online.}

Welcome to Practice Play, where young instrumentalists explore practical and engaging approaches to learning how to practice their instruments, all while enhancing work habits, commitment, and responsibility. At Practice Play, we uphold the belief that the journey should be just as rewarding as the destination. We appreciate effort and dedication, fostering an environment where practice becomes fulfilling, challenges serve as motivation, and progress is celebrated!

_{For whom?}

_{Students of any instrument,}
_{aged 7 to 14 years old.}
_{Children seeking increased motivation and autonomy in their regular individual study.}
_{Languages spoken: English and Portuguese.}
_Why?

_{Participating in online group sessions with a teacher assists in setting a routine, provides real-time correction of mistakes and answer to questions, and fosters learning approaches that lead to enduring results.}
_When?

_Online.
_{Monday 7:30pm CET}
_{Saturday 12 pm CET}
_{60-minute sessions,}
_{once or twice per week.}
_.

What we offer

Our mission is to make practicing at home more attractive and productive

^{Online: from the comfort of your home, support is just a click away.}

^{You don't need to drive to any center or school, we offer support for home study, wherever you are.}
_{Many years of experience and a passion for teaching.}

_{Specialized music teacher with over 20 years of professional experience. We believe teaching is an art, and teaching kids how to learn is our passion.}
_{Affordable prices}

_{Group learning enables an affordable price for a service of high value.}

Schedule a session

_{How does it work?}

_{The sessions}

_{We initiate the sessions with a collective warm-up, establishing a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Instrument tuning follows, with each individual setting specific goals for the session,. It is part of the learning process to create goals that are both precise and attainable. Afetr that, each student engages in solo practice, reaching out for assistance whenever questions arise and being guided in a private virtual space. All participants are provided with both general study tools and personalized strategies to overcome specific challenges and cultivate an effective study approach.}
_{A great part of helping young instrumentalists in their practice is identifying wrong notes or rhythms that may have escaped their notice, as well as offering constructive suggestions to rectify each issue. Towards the conclusion of each session, there's a chance for everyone to showcase their progress, sharing what they've practiced and refining their performance skills in front of a virtual audience. Acknowledging the collective effort, we celebrate the progress made by each participant!}
_Strategies

_In_{Practice Play}_{, students discover that when they engage in a task, such as playing a musical passage, their brains create a 'learning pattern,' akin to a trail in the snow. To construct effective paths leading to the desired destination, it's crucial to ensure that each repetition is carried out consciously, aiming for more correct repetitions than incorrect ones. Emphasizing the importance of planning, we unveil the secret to efficient study, urging students not to merely play through a piece from start to finish without specific goals.}
_{The approach involves breaking down musical pieces into manageable sections and strategically planning which sections to focus on during each session. Additionally, we outline clear goals for each section. To make the learning process engaging, we incorporate playful activities that address deliberate practice strategies. These may include interleaved practice or contextual interference, such as using a die to determine the starting section, employing a timer to switch between sections, or crafting a narrative to determine the number of correct repetitions before progressing to a new section.}

_{First session free}

We provide the initial group session at no cost, allowing the student to explore the project's dynamics prior to making any commitment.

_{privacy polic}_y

_{About the project}

_{Mafalda Nascimento}

_{Music has always been an integral part of my life. I pursued piano and cello studies at the Santa Cecilia Music Academy, cello studies at the National Conservatory of Lisbon, and earned a degree in Cello from the University of Évora, specializing in teaching. Concurrently, I studied singing and sang in Gulbenkian Choir for 9 years. My musical journey has led me to perform in various professional orchestras, theater groups, and diverse projects encompassing classical, popular, and improvisational genres. My true passion has always lain in teaching, particularly through methodologies that prioritize musical comprehension and creativity. Furthering my education, I pursued a Master's in Music Education at the Eastman School of Music, NY, culminating in 2011. I have taught at several academies and conservatories in Portugal and in 2014 co-founded the}_{Toca a Improvisar}_{(Let's Improvise) Project with violinist Madalena Cabral. Beyond music, I have a keen interest in yoga and meditation, which I have been practicing for +15 years. I am a certified "Mindfulness and Meditation" instructor} _{for children and adolescents, by}_{Crescer a Ser.}
_{The project's history}

_{As a cello instructor, I frequently encountered the challenge of students grappling with the motivation and discipline required for consistent practice. This not only posed difficulties in my teaching but also left both parents and students disheartened by the lack of significant progress on the instrument. During the lockdown period, I initiated weekly online sessions, bringing my students together to practice in a virtual space alongside their peers, reaching out for my guidance when needed.}
_{The outcomes were unexpectedly positive, with parents expressing satisfaction. The sessions not only fortified their practice routines but also instilled a heightened sense of commitment and responsibility. This experience laid the groundwork for the inception of "Practice Play". I have noticed a notable positive shift in how students approach instrument practice through this methodology. It not only offers a consistent space for practice with immediate support and reflection but also cultivates a sense of camaraderie and shared progress among the participants.}

_{Testimonials from parents, students, and teachers}

_{"Hello Mafalda, Dinis just took the exam. He got an A ! I have no doubt that part of this result is due to the guided study, the motivation it brought him, and the ability to navigate more autonomously. Thank you for everything."}

_{Teresa, Dinis´s mother}

_{"At Practice Play, my students gained the routine, guidance, and confidence they needed for each weekly lesson to progress more effectively and joyfully. Mafalda is a professional with a profound pedagogical sense, extensive experience with children and young people, and great creativity to overcome difficulties with strategies that prove to be truly effective."}

_{Madalena Cabral, violin teacher}

_{Get in touch}

If you have more questions, please fill out the form:

privacy policy

_{Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 20:00}
_{+351 968 117 354}
_{estudartoca@gmail.com}