
Trained as a classical pianist, I used to moonlight playing popular songs I heard on the radio and would hide it from my teacher. Nowadays, I ask my students what would like they to play and pick one or two songs that they like so they can practice. I don't mind if my student plays a Chopin Nocturne and then a blues/ jazz song. It's to create combination using all sides of the brain and engage students in making music.
I enjoy the interaction with the student and like to see the student progress and go through the journey of learning music rather than "teach me until I play".
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Your experience and patience for teaching
Started piano lessons since the age of five and because of that, my ear training improved. I attended the University of Michigan for Piano Performance and five years of opera training and went on accompanying singers and performing opera arias. My ukulele training was self-taught and the key is to understand a little bit of theory and visualizing the piano and how the black and white notes work.