About
BA in piano performance. Decades of successful piano teaching, all ages. I love helping people succeed at learning to read music and play the piano well!
Highlights
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Reviews
Raquel L.
Greg M.
Erin F.
Sheri R.
Monica M.
Jen H.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I first ask some questions to get to know how a person thinks, then recommend a curriculum based on that assessment.
The curriculums I use are fairly traditional, working both the brain side of understanding how music is read, and the physical side of teaching the fingers to play. The goal is to have the music on the page "come in through the eyes, and out through the fingers." A silly sentence, but that is what I work towards!
At each lesson, I have the student play what was assigned the previous week. We work on any problems that need to be corrected. Then I teach the new concept, model it, have the student try a bit of it, then assign things that work that skill.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a college degree (BA) in piano performance.
I have taught music and led church music programs my entire adult life. I have had as many as 38 students at a time, although now I am teaching less so I can spend time each week with my twin granddaughters.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
For school age students, I charge $100 a month for a weekly half hour lesson. This is for the school year only, where I have a set schedule that follows our local school district calendar.
For summertime students, and for adults all the time, I charge a lesson fee of $25 for every half hour lesson. This allows more flexibility.
How did you get started teaching?
A fellow pianist friend was moving out of state, and asked me to take her students. It was a natural fit for me with my training.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students as young as four, but many are somewhere in grade school when they get started. My adult students have come to me as either beginners, or with some background in piano. I have been able to take people wherever they are musically, and help them move forward to where they want to be.
i have also taught at Children's Music Academy, a place that specializes in teaching the young child. A wonderful place, but found that I prefer individual lessons to piano class lessons.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I love our recitals (optional, but fun!), and our twice yearly group lessons. At the group lessons, we do games, and drills that reinforce musical concepts.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Find someone who has a positive, joyful attitude. Teachers should know that sometimes you can't get all your practice done, and should just go with what you did get to work on instead of being grumpy about it.
Someone who teaches you so that you will become self sufficient in music. I think the methods of teaching that don't teach music reading (they teach via imitation) make the student way to dependent on a teacher.