About
SUZUKI PIANO FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
With 40 years experience, I have seen how well the Suzuki Method creates musicians who enjoy making beautiful music. Suzuki Piano involves the whole family, enriching the bonds between parents and children.
For parents learning (or re-learning) piano themselves, it's a double joy - just ask the parents of my students. Learning disabilities are no limitation. The Suzuki Method is adaptable to all students - ADHD, sight- or hearing-impaired, autism, to name just a few.
And you're never too old for Suzuki. The same incremental steps originally crafted for youngsters give the adult or teen beginner confidence and beauty in their playing. The most common comment? "Hey! I can DO this!"
RECREATIONAL PIANO FOR ADULTS: NURTURE YOUR SPIRIT Stressful day (or week)? Need something relaxing? But want something more fulfilling than just TV? Playing piano fits perfectly. Studies show that playing piano lowers blood pressure, encourages brain agility and optimizes hormone balance.
But best of all is how wonderful you feel making music yourself. And practice doesn't have to take long. You have a busy schedule, you want something fun to do. I show you efficient techniques that quickly have you playing music you enjoy.
I know you can do it because I've done it with dozens of adults from all walks of life. Even those who have been told, "Sorry, you just don't have musical ability." Ha! Let me help you prove them wrong. In just a few short weeks, you can amaze your friends and family.
PERFORMANCE ANXIETY:
THE MERIDIAN TAPPING TECHNIQUE is a cutting-edge stress management tool that no performing musician should be without. Combining the pinpoint accuracy of acupressure and the emotional wisdom of psychotherapy, MTT (also known as EFT) relieves both current stress and negative experiences from the past.
Tired of those heavy shoulders or that knotted stomach? Try MTT for just one hour and discover the exhilaration of performing stress-free. Adult comment, "Wow, I tried that tapping thing and I didn't get the shakes!"
COMPOSING, ARRANGING, MUSIC THEORY
With the availability of a Yamaha Clavinova (digital piano with recording capabilities), students easily compose their own songs and proceed to make arrangements of them. They can even produce their own CD, if interested.
Music Theory always shapes composition and is taught in all piano lessons. However, for students needing just theory instruction, separate Music Theory lessons are available on any instrument. Adult comment, "When you explain music, I don't feel intimidated at all."
There comes a moment when the light goes on in student's eyes, "Ah-ha!" In that moment, they have made that idea THEIRS. They get to keep it, and branch off from it, for the rest of their lives.
Those moments are also my favorite. It takes some detective work to get there - what piece doesn't this student understand? What's getting in the way? What in their life is comparable? How can we be sure it's incorporated so the new skill will be there at home?
Work, yes it is. But even more so, it's fulfilling - to both the sutdent and myself.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Each student receives an individual assessment. For children, this begins with consultations with the parents. Ages 2-7 will be learning along with their parents. Ages 8-12 may or may not have their parents in attendance. Age 13 and above will learn independently.
For teens and adults, we'll talk about their interests and goals. Then we'll lay out a plan to acheive those goals. Lesson books, written assignments, practice plans are all geared towards those goals.
We will reassess both the goals and the methods we progress. After all, as you play better and better, new vistas open - might as well take the interesting paths then available!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My Bachelor in Music Education degree gives me a wide base upon which to build. I have taught band, orchestra, choir and general music - besides giving private lessons. My training in the Suzuki Method for piano gives me special effectiveness in technique and iwth very young students. My training on the Yamaha Clavinova lends itself to an ease with digital recording, composing and arranging. My certification in EFT Tapping allows me to share the peace and confidence that can infuse performance.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Child beginners take 30-minute lessons, usually for 1-2 years. As they advance, the lessons extend to 45-minutes, then 1 hour. Adults tend to prefer hour long lessons even at the beginning; however, shorter lessons can be arranged if expense is an obstacle. Tuition increases a bit each year - it's $38/half-hour in 2017.
I offer a 10% discount if tuition is paid by the semester (SEP-DEC) (JAN-MAY) (JUN-AUG).
How did you get started teaching?
I have loved teaching since I was 4 years old, teaching my little sister how to iron (don't ask my mom about the vinyl chair involved, ok?) When I got to start playing bassoon in band, I knew this is what I wanted to share with everyone. I aimed for a teaching degree in music from then on. Several decades later, it still feels the same - exactly what I want to be doing!
What types of students have you worked with?
My youngest students come to lessons along with older siblings, as young as 2 years old. Those "lessons" are all of 3 minutes long - but they pay off in long-term development! My oldest students are in their 70's and enliven their retirements with their own music.
Because I have a sincere curiosity in how people gain understanding, I tend to have beginner-to-intermediate students the most.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
One of our favorite events is called the "What Is It?" recital.
Each student composes their own song on a topic of their choosing. In the program at the recital, there are BLANKS where the titles of the songs would go. Audience members GUESS what the song is about and fill in the blanks on the program. After each song, we announce what the student-composer intended and see how many people could tell.
It's always a lively time of guessing by the audience and feeling proud of your own composition by the students!