<![CDATA[NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old?]]>Today I wish to register for my daughter for the audition but was not even given a chance. The lady at the registration said my daughter who is 6 years old, born in 25 June 2003 is too old. She has only completed book level 3 as she is only allow to be registered in Yamaha when she turn 6. So how is she suppose to complete Grade 1 exam as required by Nafa.


The requirement states that the entry age for NAFA is 6 to 8. But I guess they are not following the min requirement.

Very disappointed :stupid:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/6604/nafa-young-pianist-6-years-old-too-oldRSS for NodeSat, 25 Apr 2026 18:44:32 GMTMon, 09 Nov 2009 12:24:18 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sat, 04 May 2019 03:08:53 GMT]]>Does anyone have a good ex nafa teacher to recommend for grade 1? Pls email me sandyhui1977@hotmail.com

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1908778https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1908778Sat, 04 May 2019 03:08:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sun, 29 Jun 2014 02:22:28 GMT]]>

Petlover:
violin_lover:



May I know is she in grade 3? Which teacher is she under? I know that the 2 most senior teachers are Mr Liu and Ms Duan

No, she has no luck to be under the 2 senior teachers you mentioned. Time flies , I still remembered last time you asked me my dd was in grade1, now she's in grade 4. Hope the next time you ask me again she'll be in grade 8 😂

So now she's finished Grade 8? hehe

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1320558https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1320558Sun, 29 Jun 2014 02:22:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:23:28 GMT]]>

kellytang:
Because of the fact that p1 is just starting so dun wanna have stress on him and myself, and if 2nd week u pull out u dun get back money at all, so waste 1 month fees is better than 6 months, rite?

I see, I see.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376514https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376514Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:23:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:01:35 GMT]]>Because of the fact that p1 is just starting so dun wanna have stress on him and myself, and if 2nd week u pull out u dun get back money at all, so waste 1 month fees is better than 6 months, rite?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376406https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376406Tue, 08 Mar 2011 13:01:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:50:24 GMT]]>

kellytang:
[quote]Really, what's the big deal about starting from grade 1 if it's at NAFA? Once in NAFA, it's the speed of progress and technique honing that really matters, and in NAFA, they move fast. In no time, you'd see that your child would be doing grade 8 at 9 or 10yrs old. Nothing lost there in the end, but his playing ability would have increased manifold.

They forcus on technic, even at Grade 1 they start Hanon. So if u r already gd 3 is difficult to change as they wanna start asap to let them curve and have perfect hand position, I know because my son went in gd 2 and I pull him out later as we couldn't fullfill what e teacher wants zzz[/quote]How long did you try before you pull him out? Why not try until the school ask to leave? I mean, if the school din say \"sayonara\" to your son, that means he is still teachable right?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374667https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/374667Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:50:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:11:04 GMT]]>[quote]Really, what's the big deal about starting from grade 1 if it's at NAFA? Once in NAFA, it's the speed of progress and technique honing that really matters, and in NAFA, they move fast. In no time, you'd see that your child would be doing grade 8 at 9 or 10yrs old. Nothing lost there in the end, but his playing ability would have increased manifold.[/quote]
They forcus on technic, even at Grade 1 they start Hanon. So if u r already gd 3 is difficult to change as they wanna start asap to let them curve and have perfect hand position, I know because my son went in gd 2 and I pull him out later as we couldn't fullfill what e teacher wants zzz

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370520https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370520Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:11:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:51:27 GMT]]>

satyagraha:
littlefish:

My 5 yrs old boy went for the nov audition , failed also bec they could not accept that he is taking grade 3 ABRSM nov 2011 at 6 yrs old . They agree he is talented but can't fit their class standard. They say that he need to start from grade 1 base on his age and current technique level if to enroll in nafa. Really bias against other music school.


Since their reasons given was \"base on his age and current technique level\", I guess it could simply be that. My understanding is that they are very particular about pitching (being able to hear the right pitch and sing the right pitch) and finger works.

Nowadays, with lots of parents willing to invest on their kids since really young, I guess a lot of kids can play read and play scores since it's a very mechanical task. BUT, once they miss out on the \"golden period\" (3 to 6 yrs old) of training up their fundamental, life is going to be very hard in NAFA as they move on.

So... if they offer you a place starting from Grade 1, you should take it. Once lesson starts, you'll see that there's more to playing on piano than what commercial schools are doing.

NAFA shouldn't be shocked at a 6yo would take Grade 3 ABRSM, since NAFA's own students who start with them at 4 or 5 generally take at 5 or 6 years' old. Nothing unusual. So NAFA must have ascertained that this child's standard is really not at the level of gRade 3 yet and should have his technique fine-tuned, hence to start from grade 1.

Really, what's the big deal about starting from grade 1 if it's at NAFA? Once in NAFA, it's the speed of progress and technique honing that really matters, and in NAFA, they move fast. In no time, you'd see that your child would be doing grade 8 at 9 or 10yrs old. Nothing lost there in the end, but his playing ability would have increased manifold.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370365https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370365Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:51:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:45:14 GMT]]>

littlefish:
My 5 yrs old boy went for the nov audition , failed also bec they could not accept that he is taking grade 3 ABRSM nov 2011 at 6 yrs old . They agree he is talented but can't fit their class standard. They say that he need to start from grade 1 base on his age and current technique level if to enroll in nafa. Really bias against other music school.

Since their reasons given was \"base on his age and current technique level\", I guess it could simply be that. My understanding is that they are very particular about pitching (being able to hear the right pitch and sing the right pitch) and finger works.

Nowadays, with lots of parents willing to invest on their kids since really young, I guess a lot of kids can play read and play scores since it's a very mechanical task. BUT, once they miss out on the \"golden period\" (3 to 6 yrs old) of training up their fundamental, life is going to be very hard in NAFA as they move on.

So... if they offer you a place starting from Grade 1, you should take it. Once lesson starts, you'll see that there's more to playing on piano than what commercial schools are doing.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370361https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/370361Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:45:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:59:57 GMT]]>Not too sure. If your kid is under Ms Zhang and would love to continue under her, you could talk to her and make a request. I think Ms Zhang is quite approcahable.

Petlover:
phankao:


I thought Zhang is better teacher technically. I know a few who used to be under Liu and very lukewarm over their instrument already, but those who were under Zhang still going strong. Some continued with Chan (prev head) and some now at YST.

May be it's less pressurized under Zhang so her students can go a longer way. Do you know if they will assign a new teacher after grade 5 ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/369102https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/369102Mon, 28 Feb 2011 02:59:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 18:16:43 GMT]]>

phankao:


I thought Zhang is better teacher technically. I know a few who used to be under Liu and very lukewarm over their instrument already, but those who were under Zhang still going strong. Some continued with Chan (prev head) and some now at YST.
May be it's less pressurized under Zhang so her students can go a longer way. Do you know if they will assign a new teacher after grade 5 ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368941https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368941Sun, 27 Feb 2011 18:16:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:45:17 GMT]]>

violin_lover:
Oh I know, she must be under Ms Zhang Ying 🙂

Petlover:

[quote=\"violin_lover\"]
May I know is she in grade 3? Which teacher is she under? I know that the 2 most senior teachers are Mr Liu and Ms Duan

No, she has no luck to be under the 2 senior teachers you mentioned. Time flies , I still remembered last time you asked me my dd was in grade1, now she's in grade 4. Hope the next time you ask me again she'll be in grade 8 :lol:

[/quote]I thought Zhang is better teacher technically. I know a few who used to be under Liu and very lukewarm over their instrument already, but those who were under Zhang still going strong. Some continued with Chan (prev head) and some now at YST.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367591https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367591Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:45:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:15:11 GMT]]>Oh I know, she must be under Ms Zhang Ying 🙂

Petlover:
violin_lover:


May I know is she in grade 3? Which teacher is she under? I know that the 2 most senior teachers are Mr Liu and Ms Duan

No, she has no luck to be under the 2 senior teachers you mentioned. Time flies , I still remembered last time you asked me my dd was in grade1, now she's in grade 4. Hope the next time you ask me again she'll be in grade 8 :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367548https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367548Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:15:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:23:07 GMT]]>

violin_lover:


May I know is she in grade 3? Which teacher is she under? I know that the 2 most senior teachers are Mr Liu and Ms Duan
No, she has no luck to be under the 2 senior teachers you mentioned. Time flies , I still remembered last time you asked me my dd was in grade1, now she's in grade 4. Hope the next time you ask me again she'll be in grade 8 :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367124https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367124Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:23:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:12:31 GMT]]>

bijin:
Petlover:



Haha ! My DD also tried their piano course for 1 yr, had to give up one instrument due to time constraint. Eventually I chose to keep the violin because it's less demanding in practicing time, just simply cannot compete with those who practice with the piano 2 to 3 hrs daily 🙂

Does the child really needs to practice on the piano for 2 to 3 hours daily?

I'm thinking of sending my girl for the auction in May, but was afraid that she can't cope with the demand in the practicing.

She's learning with a private teacher now, doing grade 1.

I guess 2 to 3 hours is not the norm unless you're preparing your child to build a career in music. I knew someone who has been planning for that and her dd really practiced a few hours daily. FYI, NAFA piano holds a world record in the highest rate of getting distinction in ABRSM exams , which is 85% if I still remembered correctly. I'd say it's very close to 100% from what I saw, in my DD's batch the parents were not talking about distinction because it's kind of expected, they were comparing who got the higher distinction ( i.e. 140 or above ) and some of them would even feel embarrassed if their child could only get 13x . :?

They produced excellent performers but what's off the stage are a lot of hard works , discipline and pressure. It's not a commercial music school so if your child is not those disciplined and hardworking type, you may have a hard time in NAFA. I can feel that the teachers are under pressure to produce results, they're accountable for their students' results and don't expect a pleasant experience with the teacher if you child don't practice at home. They will put students on probation if the students achieved anything less than a A- in the exam, so you can imagine the pressure on the parents before the master classes and the exams. Having said that, there are a lot of qualified teachers in NAFA and the principle is very hands-on and conducts excellent master classes for all the students.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367109https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367109Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:12:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:22:59 GMT]]>

Petlover:
phankao:



But your dd is with NAFA for violin?

Yes, she's still with NAFA violin now.

May I know is she in grade 3? Which teacher is she under? I know that the 2 most senior teachers are Mr Liu and Ms Duan

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/364806https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/364806Tue, 22 Feb 2011 07:22:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:30:30 GMT]]>

Petlover:
sleepy:

[quote=\"Petlover\"]Are you referring to their Piano course ?


Yes

Haha ! My DD also tried their piano course for 1 yr, had to give up one instrument due to time constraint. Eventually I chose to keep the violin because it's less demanding in practicing time, just simply cannot compete with those who practice with the piano 2 to 3 hrs daily :-)[/quote]Does the child really needs to practice on the piano for 2 to 3 hours daily?

I'm thinking of sending my girl for the auction in May, but was afraid that she can't cope with the demand in the practicing.

She's learning with a private teacher now, doing grade 1.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/364750https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/364750Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:30:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:23:39 GMT]]>

phankao:


But your dd is with NAFA for violin?
Yes, she's still with NAFA violin now.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/323110https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/323110Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:23:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 07:34:01 GMT]]>

Petlover:

Haha ! My DD also tried their piano course for 1 yr, had to give up one instrument due to time constraint. Eventually I chose to keep the violin because it's less demanding in practicing time, just simply cannot compete with those who practice with the piano 2 to 3 hrs daily 🙂
I know I know, my dd really spent that amount of time practising! However, there's only 24 hours a day, I prefer a better balance between her passion for music & academics 😎

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/321103https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/321103Tue, 28 Dec 2010 07:34:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 14:27:17 GMT]]>

Petlover:
sleepy:

[quote=\"Petlover\"]Are you referring to their Piano course ?


Yes

Haha ! My DD also tried their piano course for 1 yr, had to give up one instrument due to time constraint. Eventually I chose to keep the violin because it's less demanding in practicing time, just simply cannot compete with those who practice with the piano 2 to 3 hrs daily :-)[/quote]But your dd is with NAFA for violin?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320085https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320085Sun, 26 Dec 2010 14:27:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 14:26:04 GMT]]>

sleepy:
Petlover:

Are you referring to their Piano course ?


Yes

Haha ! My DD also tried their piano course for 1 yr, had to give up one instrument due to time constraint. Eventually I chose to keep the violin because it's less demanding in practicing time, just simply cannot compete with those who practice with the piano 2 to 3 hrs daily 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320084https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320084Sun, 26 Dec 2010 14:26:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 09:02:38 GMT]]>

Petlover:
Are you referring to their Piano course ?

Yes

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320020https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/320020Sun, 26 Dec 2010 09:02:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:50:47 GMT]]>

sleepy:
Mine stopped after 1 semester. Environment too tense plus absolutely no chemistry with teacher, almost killing the joy of learning music. Also downgraded in a way, would be playing 2 grades higher if stay put with prior teacher instead of switching to Nafa. Wasted precious time so decided to quickly abandon ship since both teacher & environment not suitable. No regrets though, at least we experienced it otherwise would always wonder what's the big hoo-ha about Nafa :lol:



Nevertheless, Nafa is a good programme . It is systematic (if you don't mind its rigidity) and more importantly it trains your child for competitions if identified as cream of the crop. Many competition winners were from Nafa, impressive track record for a music school
Are you referring to their Piano course ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/319833https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/319833Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:50:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:45:01 GMT]]>

sleepy:
Petlover:

[quote=\"sleepy\"]

Your child is in Nafa? grade 3?

Yes, but in violin course.


I see. Your child enjoys Nafa?[/quote]I don't think she enjoys it as much as her other CCA. She's a bit lazy in practicing daily, but when I asked her if she wanted to quit she always say no. so I just let her stay there until one day they kicked her out or when she's tired of it 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/319831https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/319831Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:45:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to NAFA Young Pianist - 6 years old? Too old? on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:38:10 GMT]]>

sleepy:
Petlover:

[quote=\"sleepy\"]

Your child is in Nafa? grade 3?

Yes, but in violin course.


I see. Your child enjoys Nafa?[/quote]I don't think she enjoys it as much as her other CCA. She's a bit lazy in practicing daily, but when I asked her if she wanted to quit she always say no. so I just let her stay there until one day they kicked her out or when she's tired of it 🙂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/319828https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/319828Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:38:10 GMT