TNotes Music Studio
About
Currently operating solely online and always upgrading! I stay quite full so we are doing something right! And we are having fun while learning. The young folks have No trouble learning in this environment and do exceptionally well! Even my adults come to appreciate the benefits of accessing their lesson time from virtually any location, not worrying about weather or 'one more place to go'! As for me, I am a seasoned musician with 10 solid years of performance experience and close to 30 teaching. I played in a Contemporary gospel band and did weddings and other venues--singing and playing for audiences of every size. The last 11 years I have been teaching a wonderful Australian created method called Simply Music. It is the largest playing-based method in the world. You start learning to play with both hands from the very beginning--classical, blues, accompaniment and contemporary! After teaching traditional for many years, I found that Simply's success rate was so impressive that I made the complete switch and teach only this method. Not only are you up and playing quickly but you have so much ability to grasp the theory and technical side of things when they begin. Doesn't that make more sense than learning to add and not knowing what a number is? Music lessons are usually taught in groups and are a dynamic environment in a fun setting. I mean, after all, we do call it "playing" the piano...! I am currently continuing my studio with Simply to get my licensing all the way thru Level 10 (and probably beyond) and am a Certified SM Teacher thru Level 7. This is a program I am passionate about since much of the teaching and learning techniques are based on so much of the research of the last 50 years about how we learn. You will find it a great method and way to learn to step into your own natural musicianship right from the Get-Go! Free info session by schedule and appointment available. Call or email for info!
I enjoy everything about what I do...some days I marvel that I am one of the 2% who are fortunate enough to love what they do and make a living doing it. How many folks can say that? And tho I am happy to not 'answer' to a boss, I find I at least as hard on me as a boss would be....but maybe that's the "zing" one needs to really stay on top of things and I am happy about that.
I love meeting new people and finding the ones that are ready to jump in and learn. I love knowing that in a month....if they do what I ask and are laying good patterns of playing, they won't believe what is happening. And I love knowing that what i do works in ways that still surprise and delight me. And I just love seeing people grow in their music; no matter their age!
Highlights
Specialties
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
A free info session (FIS) is required so we can all assess whether we think we can work together. They hear all of Level 1 played so they know what they are "getting" (the minimum, anyway). Then we start getting their fingers moving and getting strong while we learn all sorts of fun things that are blended together to make music. It's all quite fun and extremely useful. It is after all, called "playing" the piano!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been teaching the method I use now for 7-8 years and am still studying and getting licensed for more levels way down the road. I was trained in the classical John Thompson Red Books and played in bands, special events, weddings and solo work for many years when I was younger. I taught traditional piano lessons (which these that I teach now are Not!) for 16-17 years before I found what I teach now. My own enthusiasm, the extreme success of the method caused a growth in my Studio that I wasn't even looking for--and have 30+/-students at any given time, some in shared lessons and very few in private.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Shared lessons (groups)--2 or more students- $98.00/mo. whether there are 4 or 5 lessons in a month--tuition remains the same!
Private lessons while available are discouraged but sometimes cannot be avoided. They run $110.00/mo
Workshops of varying lengths are less than lessons by a good bit to give time for students/parents to have time to evaluate. Folks are very rarely disappointed and get excited about the music they are playing before the Workshop comes to an end. Most sign up for classes at that point.
How did you get started teaching?
I played for church(es) as a Worship pianist and folks heard me play and then asked if I could teach their child. As I was a homeschooling mom for years, it was a fun way to socialize and I taught part-time for many years. I found this method that I am passionate about towards the end of homeschooling and have been teaching a very full studio since my kids have grown and left home.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have always enjoyed teaching all ages and right now my oldest student (who is one of my most advanced!) is 75! She plays very well! The oldest I have taught was 80 and wanting lessons due to a stroke that had claimed most of the use of his left hand. We managed to not only graduate him out of level 1, playing well with both hands but he regained almost all of the use of his left hand back, largely due to piano lessons. Very gratifying experience for me!
My youngest student currently is 6.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I love the interactions and fun climate that I and my students share. Recently, my retiree was getting frustrated because she was having trouble playing a song for me that she had played at home perfectly. She looked directly at me and deadpanned: "I washed my hands this morning and I can't do a thing with them!!"
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Don't let price be the litmus test. Find out what you are going to learn, know how to do and how long it is going to take. Do the math. My students have Playlists of upwards of 40-60 or even 70 songs within just a few years. These are intricate and sometimes difficult pieces that they can not only play but play well and without their music. Ask a perspective teacher how long of a Playlist can they expect to have in, say, a year? That's what you are coming to learn; get an idea of what they think they can give you in a reasonable amount of time.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
If a teacher recommends a certain thing or time requirement, ask for specifics. Find out exactly what they are going to expect from you and determine if you can give them that. Be willing to make the time committment to play or practice. Try to predetermine if the chemistry between you is good. You don't want lessons to be "party time" but you do want to share this wonderful gift of music with each other--each from your unique point of view.