About
I have been passionate about music teaching ever since I was a teenager growing up in Sri Lanka, where my mother was a music teacher as well. I have many decades of teaching experience in 4 countries. (Sri Lanka, India, Switzerland, USA)
I customize lessons according to the student's need, rather than use a "one-method-fits-all" approach.
I specialize in teaching the Trinity College of Music (London) syllabus in Piano, Piano Accompanying, and Music Theory. Until recently, I was the Trinity representative for Chicago, and was formerly the Chicago representative for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (London)
I was on the piano faculty of The Chicago High School for the Arts for 7 years, until June 2018, and just recently retired from there, and I also teach AP music theory privately.
My credentials are from Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM), Trinity College of Music (FTCL), the American Conservatory of Music (BM), and University of Chicago (MA in Musicology)
Choral music is my 2nd love, and I direct a women's choir, Le Cantanti di Chicago.(www.lecantanti.org)
I am a member of the Music Teachers of Hyde Park (MTHP.org), the Chicago Area Music Teachers' Association (CAMTA), and MTNA (Music Teachers' National Association)
I teach at my home in Oak Lawn, as well as at Augustana Lutheran Church in Hyde Park. However, since the pandemic, all lessons have been remote. (FaceTime, Skype, an Zoom)
I understand the value of instilling a love and passion for music in my students. I am eager to pass on that passion to my students, not just to help them with musical knowledge, but to help them in their quest to become better human beings. Music addresses so many life skills, beyond learning how to play one's instrument.
Working with students, whatever their age or ability, brings me great joy, and a I am happy and priviliged to impart the knowledge that has been handed down by my own teachers, combined with years of experience teaching students in many different countries and cities. This is why I have remained a teacher for this long, and still continue to find it refreshing, challenging, and rewarding!