Briar Thomas Conservatory

Did you know? Slow practice is actually harder than fast practice!

Many people think fast practice = efficient, but research shows that during slow practice, prefrontal cortex activity increases significantly. This is because your brain has to "actively control" every movement instead of running on autopilot.

Fast practice → Brain on "autopilot," mistakes get hidden.

Slow practice → Brain forced into active control, building deeper neural connections

The harder your brain works = the stronger the connections 💪

So next time slow practice feels extra challenging, congratulations, your brain is actually improving!

Congratulations to another talented and deserving student. Please join me in celebrating our Student Shout Out, Emma!

Thank you to all the talented participants. What a memorable event!

April brings another student shout out! Please join me in congratulating Rowan!

It is with great pleasure to announce we have added another wonderful instructor to our staff. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Ashley to BTC as our newest Flute, Piano, Voice, Steel Pan, and Ukulele instructor! She is accepting new students now and reserving slots for her openings in June. Text Shana at 253-355-5992 to inquire about scheduling.
Welcome to the team, Ashley!

Please speak his name today, as you gently move through your lives. He would have been 5 years old today. It’s hard to believe it’s only been 5 years, when so much change has happened. The biggest change being the name of our school.

Names are so special, they get spoken each day through the hearts of those we know, and sent out into the universe with love and excitement, like a perpetual pulse of our existence. When we die, over time that pulse weakens and eventually is gone. We didn’t want that for a Briar. We wanted his name to be spoken with love and excitement, through the hearts of all the beautiful children and families who come to our school.

Each and every day, Briar’s name is given to the universe with love stronger than I ever could have imagined. His pulse is strong, and his name lives on, through all of you.

So please speak his name today. Whisper it softly with a happy thought. Tell him he is loved. Tell him he is missed. Tell him what you learned in your lessons this week. Whatever comes to your heart, please put his name on it and send it out into the universe. Happy Birthday my sweet Briar.
Briar Thomas 04/02/2021-05/10/2021

Another month to celebrate another wonderful student! Please help me in shouting out Edison for the Month of March!

Behind the Desk interviews. Meet the incredible faculty at Briar Thomas Conservatory. Hear their passion, drive, and what makes BTC so unique.

Welcome to Briar Thomas Conservatory Briar Thomas Conservatory-Welcome Video-A Word From Our Faculty

Please join me in celebrating the February Student Shout Out!!

Congratulations to my student Ilya Shchetnikov for participating in this years Chopin NW Piano Competition. Words from the judge: “Chopin is the poet of the piano” […] you have the technique and passion for this music.” - Dr. Catherine Lysinger, 2026 Chopin NW Piano Competition

I believe this was a truly wonderful first experience. One that will undoubtedly serve as a powerful foundation for even greater growth and confidence in the years to come. Competitions are important moments in a much larger journey, and Ilya has already shown that he possesses the dedication and courage that define exceptional musicians.