Seeing is
believing .. .

Alyn Stobbe of the Dispensing
Optician program reminds you that
the DC Vision Centre is now open at
the David Lam Campus. The Centre
offers a selection of high quality
lenses, contact lenses and frames,
with preferred pricing for students,
employees and their families. Hours
are 9:30 am—5 pm Monday to
Friday, with eye exams arranged by
appointment. For more information,
call 527-5808.

Adult learners: singing
music’s praises

When we see someone confidently
approach a piano and bang out a tune,
many of us regret quitting lessons when
we were kids.

Now, there’s a chance for all of us to
silence the parental voice in our heads
that says “I told you so.” As it becomes
more and more popular to take up lessons
as an adult, the Douglas College
Community Music School offers a
perfect opportunity to make up for lost
time.

As a pastime, diversion or simply as a
way to use a part of your brain that gets
forgotten at work, music can provide the
kind of stimulation that other hobbies
don’t. It’s a chance to learn something
new, to redefine ourselves. Sometimes it
even gives us an excuse to buy a new toy.

Ask Al Atkinson, Vice-President of
Educational Services. He recently bought
an antique grand piano and plans to
begin playing as soon as it’s restored.
“I’ve been thinking about taking lessons
for years,” he says. “When I saw this
piano I knew it was the perfect excuse.”

Atkinson is one of those who took
lessons as a child but quit after only a
few years. “I was 12,” he explains.
“There were more fun things to do.”
Now, 35 years later, Atkinson plans to
start again, and promises to play at
College functions once he passes Royal
Conservatory Grade Five. Even though
he know it will be a lot of work, he can’t
wait to start lessons.

Douglas College Community Music
School piano instructor Meijane Quong
sees a similar attitude in all of her adult

students. ‘““We’re seeing a growing number
of adults who decide that the time is right
for them to take lessons,” she says. “They
have this amazing internal motivation you
don’t find in most kids.” Quong says her
piano students enjoy the challenge and
often surprise themselves with how well
they do.

Even better news comes from recent
studies which show that music training
can help to keep our reflexes nimble and
our minds alert. Not only is it never too
late to learn, it might actually be healthy
for us as we grow older. Good news for
people like the ever-youthful Atkinson,
who has no plans to give up this time.

Intake for Community Music School
adult classes is ongoing, and lessons are
available for a variety of instruments. Call
Kathryn Cernauskas at local 5274 for
more information. §J