Mus258 Elementary Piano CRN 31558 + Mus259 CRN 31569 Intermediate Piano (meets in person)

Cuesta College Spr 2025

Contact Info Instructor name: 

Idona Cabrinha, B.A., M.M. Music, Piano Performance & Pedagogy, she/her/hers, Courses taught at Cuesta: Elementary and Intermediate Piano(MUS 258, MUS 259), Music Appreciation: World Music(MUS 236), Music Appreciation: Rock and Roll (MUS 237), Music Fundamentals(MUS 201) 

Email: idona_cabrinha@cuesta.edu

Voicemail: 805.546.3195, leave messages with performing arts office I prefer you use pronto or  canvas email or for more personal matters use my Cuesta email: idona_cabrinha@cuesta.edu as main mode of communication. I will respond to your inquiries within one business day excluding weekends.

Welcome to Cuesta College! 

My name is Idona Cabrinha and I will be your instructor for 

Mus258 Elementary piano + Mus 259  Intermediate piano.

This letter is to inform you of class details prior to the start of the in person class this Spring 2025. This course starts on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 and ends May 23, 2025. You will gain access to the course on the start date. This class is meets in person This in person class is an 18 week course. Assignments due every 2 weeks - mostly ‘performance based’ at the piano keyboard.

The classes are cross listed taking place within the same time, 1:30pm - 2:20pm (10 minute break), 2:30p - 3:20pm (usually 3pm - 3:20p is encouraged student individual practice).

 

This course is for students who are new to the piano and also is for returning students to the piano. It is necessary to have access to a keyboard or piano. Reliable internet is needed for you to access the Learning Management System Canvas where all the learning content is needed for this course. It is possible to purchase a 88 - key keyboard starting at $250. See below websites for a few suggestions:

Amazon.com, https://www.musiciansfriend.com, https://www.sweetwater.com/

With the learning module units in Canvas, additional use of the following applications:

• Pronto
• Google Docs
• MusicTheory.net
• Video and or audio capture and posting with the aid of You Tube  (use of video capabilities required via computer aided camera, or other device) and additional internet links you will gain a deeper understanding, learning and performance on the piano.

It may also be helpful to have a printer to print out musics that will be viewed on canvas and may be printed if needed.

 -----------    Student Learning Outcomes     -----------

for Elementary  Piano - MU 258

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate technical skills and eye-hand coordination at  the piano

• Demonstrate facility in sight-reading

• Demonstrate facility in keyboard harmony

• Demonstrate competence in performing elementary to middle elementary level repertoire 

 

-----------    Student Learning Outcomes     -----------

for Intermediate  Piano - MU 259

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate technical skills and eye-hand coordination at  the piano

• Demonstrate facility in sight-reading

• Demonstrate facility in keyboard harmony

• Demonstrate competence in performing mid-elementary to intermediate level repertoire 

 

Although this class is designed for novice Canvas users you should have the following:

• Access to a computer
• Access to a piano keyboard or piano
• Email account 
• Reliable internet connection and a backup plan in case your provider or computer go down.
• Basic computer skills (word processing, e-mail, file management)
• Basic internet skills (use of browser, searches, uploading/downloading files)
• An open mind and willingness to try new things If you require any special accommodations for this class, please contact me as soon as possible to ensure a quality learning experience.
• Respect and responsibility for maintaining positive communication in the online classroom by observing and practicing good netiquette rules. Technical Requirements
• Fairly recent Mac or PC (not more than three years old) with a current operating system.
• Current browser (Firefox or Chrome are preferable)
• Internet connection, preferably broadband -- for viewing online videos
• Ability to record and post audio, video and writing capabilities

 

Course Policies Participation 

 This is a 2-unit college level course which is about 4-5 hours a week in canvas combining homework/practice time. I have structured weeks with material for you to read, watch and interact with. I ask my students to find time in their busy schedules to log into the classroom four out of seven days a week to discuss topics related to the material being learned. This helps to answer questions, clear up confusion, and we have a chance to learn from other students and assignments. The days in which you log on are up to the students and can be weekdays or weekends whichever works best for your situation. You should also print out a copy of this letter and keep it handy for future reference.

 

The course is divided into 18 weeks. Each unit will appear in the Modules section of the course. To get started each week, closely review the Overview page, which lists the learning objectives and required assignments for the unit. Taking notes on both a hard copy notebook and/or online tools such as Diigo or Evernote is highly suggested. A hard copy notebook of manuscript paper is another good option.

 

Supplemental Materials necessary for the class:

With the learning module units in Canvas, use of Pronto, use of Google Docs, Padlet, MusicTheory.net, Video and or audio capture and posting with the aid of You Tube 

• Taking notes on both a hard copy notebook and/or online tools such as Diigo or Evernote is highly suggested

• Taking notes on staff paper can be printed online and placed in a 3 ring binder, or manuscript notebooks for sale in the Cuesta Bookstore

• Use of: Pronto, Padlet, and MusicTheory.net will be used throughout the course.
• Google docs (if you have a google email, then you have access to google docs which is used in our course)
• You tube (you have to create an account via Google as described above)
• Technology tools outside the LMS(learning management system – Canvas):
• Additional Supplies for Course – folder and or binder to store print out of syllabus for this course

 

College and Course Policies

Student must be active within the first 7 days of this course or student is dropped from the class. It is your responsibility to be active by visiting the course regularly. 

Add Policy: http://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/admrreg/arpolicies/addcourse.htmlLinks to an external site.

Drop  Policy: http://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/admrreg/arpolicies/dropcourse.htmlLinks to an external site.

NOTE Cuesta’s academic honesty policy and student code of conduct (link to Cuesta policy, including Student Code of Conduct, Student Computer Technology Access Agreement: http://www.cuesta.edu/student/documents/admissions_records/code_of_conduct.pdfLinks to an external site.

Waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site.

 

Accommodations

This is a link to Cuesta CaFe. This stands for CalWorks, Foster Youth, EOPS.  

Short description:  The CaFE Center provides comprehensive support, services, and resources to CalWORKs, foster youth, and EOPS/CARE students in order to empower, motivate and encourage them to reach their educational, career and life goals in a welcoming and safe environment

https://www.cuesta.edu/student/studentservices/cafe/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

To learn more I highly encourage visiting the link.

Long description:   

CalWORKs at Cuesta College is a program designed to assist student cash aid recipients navigate an educational pathway to a successful career so that they can transition off cash aid. We are here to work with CalWORKs students to achieve long-term self-sufficiency for themselves and their families through career planning and educational opportunities.

What is CalWORKs?

Services include: Guidance in applying to the college, financial aid, and registration for classes, Academic and career counseling to determine educational pathways, Coordination with Social Services for educational supplies and supportive services targeted toward your educational/career goals., Assist students to ensure compliance of your Welfare-to-Work (WTW) or Self-Initiated (SIP) plan through a career oriented Educational Plan, One-on-one case management services available online or in-person to assist in problem solving school/life issues, Help with the Cuesta Scholarship application and resources to PAY for school,  Advocacy supporting resources and achievement toward school completion, Subsidized employment, work study and internships centered around your career, Development of a resume and a job search portfolio to facilitate long-term employment, Referrals to additional supportive services, on or off campus as needed, Advocacy and education regarding Rights and Responsibilities issues.

Foster Youth and former Foster Youth

What is EOPS?

Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) is a California state-funded program that provides an accessible and rewarding college experience to low-income students facing social, economic, and educational disadvantages. The program was established in 1969 by the California Legislature with the goal to provide access and educational equity for community college students.

 

1.   Contact the DSPS office, Building N3000, Room N3024

DSPS will be available to meet via zoom/phone Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. Please contact dspsinfo@cuesta.edu with any questions or to schedule an appointment. DSPS will be available to meet via zoom/phone Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm.

2.   Present documentation of disability for review by a disabilities specialist
3.   Discuss options for support through DSPS
4.   Present a signed DSPS authorization for accommodation to your instructor

 

For more info contact Disabled Student Program & ServicesLinks to an external site. 

 

Additional resources available on the Cuesta home page Links to an external site. include:

• Canvas Quick Reference for Students 
• Distance Education Home Page 
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 
• Online Student Readiness Tutorials 
• Welcome Letters for Students 
• Academic Honesty and Standards of Conduct