Newsletter
1/1/2014
FRESH START, NEW BEGINNINGS
The start of each New Year is an opportunity for a fresh beginning. All too often, however, we develop resolutions
that bite the dust shortly after Jan. 1, leaving us feeling deflated and glum. Usually this phenomenon occurs
because our decisions are last-minute and either impulsive or ill-conceived. To complicate matters, many folks are
already feeling blue due to the shorter days and less direct sunlight characteristic of that time of year.
As a result, I frequently suggest banishing last New Year's resolutions in favor of a well-thought-out plan for those
goals; something more in line with what a business would put together.
While everyone's personal goals for 2014 will surely look a little different, here are some steps that will give
anyone a head start on their 2014 plan:
• Work backward: Start now by clarifying your goals and then envisioning, in precise terms, what you want to
have accomplished by the end of 2014. Now work backward to determine the objectives necessary to get there.
Let's take the example of losing weight to improve your health. If your goal is to lose 30 pounds by December
2014, your objectives might be to lose about 2.5 pounds per month.
• Create a schedule: Break down your objectives into bite-sized steps and schedule these into your calendar. I find
that weekly steps, in this case specific dietary changes and regular exercise, are doable for most people. You'll want
to be consistent enough that you don't lose your focus, but not so rigid that working toward these objectives
becomes cumbersome or overwhelming.
• Set realistic goals (in a realistic time frame): The downfall of many New Year's resolutions is that they aren't
attainable in the first place. When you set up an unachievable goal you'll be frustrated in the process and
disappointed when you don't reach the hoped-for outcome.
MAKE SURE YOU FILL OUT A
COMMENT CARD TO LET US KNOW
HOW WE ARE DOING AND
SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS THAT
YOU FEELWILL HELP MAKE YOUR
EXPERIENCE AT SHOBO MUSIC
ACADEMY A GREAT ONE!
REFER A FRIEND &
RECEIVE 1 LESSON
CREDIT
($27 VALUE)
*Applicable if the student
Mark Your Calendars
FEBRUARY 2, 2014
Continues Lessons after
The Introductory Special
Ground Hog Day
Superbowl Sunday
(Broncos vs. SeaHawks)
REFER A FRIEND
CONTEST!!!
February 14, 2014
STARTING 10/22/13 THE
Valentine’s Day
STUDENT WITH THE MOST
REFERRALS BY 2/15/2014
WILL RECEIVE 2 MONTHS
February 17, 2014
President’s Day
OF FREE LESSONS.
*3 REFERRALS MINIMUM*
(A VALUE OF $216.00)
March 9, 2014
Daylight Saving Time
(Spring Forward)
RECEIVE $10 OFF TUITION
HEART OF THE BATTER CUPCAKES
Cook: 30 min
Yield: 6 Jumbo Cupcakes
Level: Easy
INGREDIENTS:
For the cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup strawberry-flavored milk, at room temperature
6 strawberries, hulled
For the frosting and topping:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 strawberries, hulled and halved lengthwise
DIRECTIONS:
Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 6-cup jumbo muffin pan with paper liners. Whisk the
flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
Beat the butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about
3 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the flour
mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the strawberry milk, beginning and ending with flour, until just combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
Let cool 5 minutes in the pan, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
Using a paring knife, cut a cone-shaped piece of cake out of the top of each cupcake (about the same size as the
strawberries), stopping about 1/2 inch from the bottom. Stuff with the strawberries, then cover with a small piece of
the removed cake.
Make the frosting: Sift the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder into a medium bowl. Transfer half of the sugarcocoa mixture to a large bowl; add the butter and 1/4 cup cream and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until
smooth. Add the remaining sugar-cocoa mixture and 1/4 cup cream and beat until fluffy. Transfer to a pastry bag
fitted with a star tip and pipe onto the cupcakes. Top each with a strawberry half.
ANNA PARK
PIANO TEACHER
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
BEATRIZ REIS
What instruments do you play?
PIANO
How long have you taken piano lessons?
3 YEARS
Who are your favorite musical artists?
JASON MRAZ, LADY GAGA
What are your other hobbies, besides music?
BALLET
What is the coolest thing you’ve learned in your lessons lately?
ALL THE NEW SONGS
What is your favorite food?
PASTA
Do you have any big events coming up?
MOVING TO A NEW HOUSE
What do you like about Shobo Music?
THE PIANO TEACHER
What do you like about your teacher?
HER KINDNESS
Anna Park has played the piano for over
30 years. She received her Bachelor's of
Music degree at Han Yang University in
Seoul, Korea. Anna has also attended
and graduated from the Manhattan
School of Music and Chopin Academy
in Warsaw, Poland and Seoul, Korea.
She has been performing since 1988 in
places such as The House of Music
Culture in Warsaw, Amati Conservatory
of Music in NJ and various churches as
an pianist and organist. Some of the
accolades she has received include
winning first prize from the F. Chopin
Foundation Competition at the
Manhattan School of Music and a Silver
medal from New York International
Piano competition of best performance
romantic pieces.
Anna Park enjoys teaching piano. She
teaches private piano lessons as well as
our Little Beethoven Young Pianist
Program. She believes the goal of piano
instruction is to help students not only
learn how to play, but also how to think
and develop their personality through
musical learning. She possesses a great
understanding and compassion for her
students and it is her goal to extend her
knowledge and love of music to each
child she teaches.