Aine Wendler Piano Studio

Aine Wendler has more than 30 years experience in giving piano lessons to children.

Holding a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance Degree and a Master of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Aine brings, not only knowledge and experience, but patience, humor and warmth to your child’s journey through a musical education.

In South Kansas City, easily reached from all parts of the Kansas City area, including Johnson County, KS, Aine offers a carefully crafted program for your child including many opportunities, through professional affiliations, for student participation in festivals and events, two recitals per year, and comprehensive lessons including music instruction, music theory, technique work, a context of Music History focusing on the different approaches and styles indicated, and exploration of styles and types of music of particular interest to the student.

The studio is a warm, happy space well-equipped with 2 grand pianos (both Steinway products) and a Yamaha digital piano, allowing for flexible work between teacher and student as well as ensemble opportunities.

Unique to many studios, Aine offers a program for Pre-K and Kindergarten students, ages 3-6 years-old.

Education:

Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance from Central Missouri State University – 1977, studied with Dr. Wes True.

Master of Musical Arts, Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from a cooperative program with University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco State University – 1988, studying Pedagogy and Romantic Period Literature and Performance with Louise Brugger Bidwell at UC Berkeley and Performance with William Corbett-Jones at San Francisco State University.

Advanced Pedagogy and Performance Study, with Karen Halverhout, retired, Conservatory of Music at University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Note: I am in the process of completing the performance and dissertation requirements to receive my PhD in Piano Pedagogy from The University of California, Berkeley, scheduled to be conferred in early 2015.

Experience:

I have been an independent music instructor since 1979. I have worked from my home studio in the following cities: Lee’s Summit, MO, Las Vegas, NV, San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Boston, MA, Stamford, CT, New York, NY, and Kansas City, MO.

I work with children, 3 to 18 years of age, at all levels—beginners through advanced. My approach is comprehensive, incorporating fundamentals, literature, technique, music theory, music history, and performance. I work with a variety of different methods, tailoring the materials to the needs of each individual child.

Belief:

I believe all children can learn to play and to love music. I work from the deep belief that a well-structured music education can enhance every aspect of a child’s personal and academic experience, laying a foundation for academic excellence, self-confidence and esteem, superior study skills, and the child’s personal code of accountability and responsibility.

Professional Affiliations:

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)

Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA)

Kansas Music Teachers Association (KMTA)

Kansas City Music Teachers Association (KCMTA)

`American Federation of Music Clubs (Federated Music Teachers of Kansas City)

National Piano Guild (Guild)

Mid America Music Association (MAMA)

Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Music Development/Achievement Program

I currently hold the position of pianist for Indian Heights United Methodist Church, Overland Park, KS.

Career Highlights:

In addition to teaching, a few career highlights include:

Active piano soloist and instrumental accompanist

Accompanist with the Jester Hairston Chorale

Resident pianist for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (New York), Providence Performing Arts Center (Providence, RI), and Segerstrom Performing Arts Center (Costa Mesa, CA)

Accompanist for many artists including Helen Armstrong – violin, Eric Friedman – violin, David Feldman – cello, Derek Rogge – trumpet, Alan Baer – tuba, and David Fedderly – tuba, Yo-Yo Ma, cello, Jason Xanthoudakis – clarinet and saxophone, Silvia Marcovici – violin, Rachel Barton Pine – violin

Musical Director/Conductor for national touring companies of musicals, “My Fair Lady” and “The Music Man” through touring companies Broadway Live and Allied Live

Active adjudicator (piano) for pedagogy-based festivals, non-competitive evaluative auditions, and competitions

Concerto Soloist with university and professional symphony orchestras performing, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major by Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 1, Opus 35 by Dmitri Shostakovich, Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the Piano Concerto in A Minor, Opus 54, by Robert Schumann

Artist in Residence at The New England Conservatory of Music

Faculty positions include San Francisco State University, University of California, Berkeley, New England Conservatory of Music, University of Massachusetts, Boston, and Boston University

Currently developing and authoring a pedagogy method focusing on pre-school children.