Hello Minim Family, we hope things have been well!
Last Thursday, we held Minim’s first online seminar: Journey of Learning Music. We were joined by 10 lovely attendees, and it was heartening to hear everyone's reflections on what music means to their families.
Over the session, we shared our insights from 7 years of teaching music to children. Through a series of videos and documentation, we explored the musical progress of children aged 3 to 13. We hope this glimpse into their journeys gave attendees a clearer picture of what long-term growth and consistent practice can look like.
A special thank you to Kristian and Miki-san, who generously shared their perspectives as parents whose child has been with Minim for over four years of private lessons!
Seminar Highlights
We began with a question to parents: Why did you choose for your child to learn music?
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X enjoys singing and is naturally expressive with music. We value each child’s innate curiosity and nurture it through responsive teaching.
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B has been in our group ukulele program for over a year. Her mother, a clarinetist, hoped to pass on a love for music. B’s experience shows how the home environment can nurture musical interest.
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R’s family believes music supports cognitive development—and they noticed it as a shared thread among many successful individuals.
The Minim Approach
Many children begin music lessons only to stop within 1–2 years. In fact, 85% of students quit private lessons within this time, even though 82% of adults later wish they could play an instrument.
At Minim, we believe the core issue is isolation. Learning music alone can feel lonely. That is why we designed our group ukulele program to help children see that:
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Playing music is fun
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Playing together is exciting
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Performing can be natural and stress-free
Our method focuses on approachability—even our youngest students play their first song during their first lesson.
Our Teaching Values
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Child-Centered Learning: Lessons are shaped around the learner’s interests and pace.
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Responsive Education: We adapt to each child’s responses, building from where they are.
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Multilingual Instruction: Our bilingual and trilingual instructors teach in English, Japanese, and Mandarin—ideal for global families.
Private Lessons & Exams
We offer private lessons in:
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Ukulele
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Piano
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Voice
Private sessions allow for more personalized attention and deeper learning. We also prepare students for ABRSM exams, and some of our graduates have gone on to study music in Germany and Austria.
All Minim piano instructors are ABRSM-certified, and we support students working toward Grade 5 and beyond—key for those considering musical education at the college level.
How Parents Can Support Practice
Good practice is about quality and consistency, not just time spent. Here are some helpful tips:
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Sit beside your child during practice
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Create a reward system (like a star chart that leads to a favorite Gachapon toy)
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Set small goals and celebrate progress together
Music as Community
We believe music should be shared! That’s why we host joyful, low-pressure community events throughout the year, including:
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Christmas Caroling at Arisugawa Park (2024’s highlight!)
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Minim Picnic (coming up in May!)
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Summer Camp (a 5-day immersive music experience)
Annual Recitals
Private students will showcase their growth at our annual recital. This year’s theme is “My Favorite Thing”—an opportunity for children to share their progress in a nurturing, encouraging setting.
Parent Q&A – Coming Soon
We ended the seminar with some fantastic questions from parents:
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How can I support my child’s practice if I am not always available?
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What should we do if our child does not practice at home?
We will be addressing these questions in next week’s newsletter—stay tuned for tips on supporting musical progress as a busy parent.
Thank you again to everyone who joined us for our first seminar. Let us continue to grow, play, and make music—together.
Warmly,
Xuemin & the Minim Team
Join us for Minim Ukulele Picnic!
This year, instead of classroom showcases, we are trying something a little different. After hearing how much you and your children enjoyed the Merry Minim Christmas Caroling, we were truly touched. Many families have shared that it was a highlight of their year — and that children are still talking about it today!
Inspired by that joy, we would love to warmly invite you to the Minim Ukulele Picnic — a relaxed gathering for music-loving families to enjoy a beautiful morning of songs, smiles, and shared memories.
Date: May 25, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Venue: Arisugawa Park (Wet weather venue: TBC)
What to Bring: Your lunch, a picnic mat, and your ukulele!
Registration: Click here to register
By joining the event, you have agreed to the Terms and Conditions of the event (details in the newsletter below)
️ Ukulele Summer Camp – July 1st & 4th Week ️
Now Open for Registration!
Our annual Minim Good Vibes Ukulele Camp is back! ️ After much anticipation, registration is now open. Spaces fill up fast, so be sure to secure your spot!
Camp details & sign-up: https://tinyurl.com/yk597srw
For more information about our teaching team and philosophy, please visit our website at www.minim.family
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to approach any of our teachers, or contact us at contact@minim.family
Love,
All of us at Minim
