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Music With Cynthia

Music With Cynthia

4.9Exceptional(8 reviews)

About

I am a talented teacher! I am diverse as a musician, and am comfortable with all ages. Don't think you are to old to start! I integrate lessons for whole brain learning. I help students connect to the joy of musical learning and experience!

i have been teaching piano since before I graduated from college, and teaching voice since I was in my late 20's. I was a high school choral director for seventeen years. I have worked with children and older adults in my church music experience in which I have worked since I was in high school. I have been the Director of a Senior Chorus for several years. I sing jazz, pop, musical theater, and play all styles of music on the piano.

I love it when students discover what they can do! My passion is to enable people to make their own music, not simply listen to and watch others make music.

I enjoy gaining understanding of the unique ways each person engages in the process of learning to make music. Everyone is different. I don't epect my students to become professional musicians, but would encourage any who do.have that wish. Mostly, I hope to enable students to find joy and gratification in their own music-making, whaever their age.

I am a member of Minnesota Music Teacher's Association, St. Paul Music Teacher's Forum, American Guild of Organists. Some former students have gone on to successful careers in music performance.

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Highlights

Hired 14 times
11 years in business
Serves Vadnais Heights , MN

Payment methods

Cash, Check, Zelle

Specialties

Instrument(s)

Piano, Violin, Guitar, Drum, Cello, Other, Student does not play an instrument

Experience level

No experience, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Students age

Younger than 6 years old, 6 - 9 years old, 10 - 13 years old, 14 - 17 years old, 18 - 25 years old, 26 - 44 years old, 45 - 64 years old, 65 or older

Interest(s)

Fundamentals (pitch, rhythm, chords, etc.), Harmonization, Counterpoint, Music subjects (notation, analysis, ear training), Other

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Photos and videos

    • Reviews

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    SR

    Sarah R.

    Cynthia is enthusiastic and encouraging! Our beginner student is older (12) with some music experience and she has been wonderful about moving him along at the appropriate pace, while making sure he has all the basic piano knowledge.
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    February 15, 2021
    •Hired on Lessons
    LB

    Lee B.

    Her knowledge, patience, and love for teaching music
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    October 25, 2020
    •Hired on Lessons
    AT

    Abby T.

    We are one year into lessons with Cynthia! She has done such a wonderful job with my seven year old son, keeping him engaged through appropriate music choices, affirming his growth, and inspiring him towards what is possible. She makes the learning fun and has been very perceptive to meet his needs where hes at when it comes to the lesson time, while also making herself available during the week in between if he gets stuck. Cynthia is approachable and friendly and has been flexible with scheduling when need be. When covid hit, I was impressed how quickly she navigated the necessary technology to switch to online lessons! She is always timely and continued to find ways to engage my son via the screen, in lieu of meeting in-person. Id highly recommend Cynthia to anyone looking for a piano teacher!
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    September 07, 2020
    BM

    Barbara M.

    Besides being a stellar professional performer herself, Cynthia has THE gift for teaching music. She is patient, presents examples, she understands learning styles and gives feedback and positive reinforcement to the student. Besides that she makes learning music fun and interesting!!
    ... Show more
    August 08, 2019
    AB

    Anne B.

    Cynthia is an excellent teacher for my two girls. She really understands how to work with students to reach their full potential, and she is able to see the strengths each of my children has (although both are very different in terms of learning styles). Plus, she such a warm and positive person. Its genuinely fun for all of us to go to her home each week! We highly recommend her!
    ... Show more
    August 05, 2019
    DDL

    Denise Davis L.

    Cynthia’s positivity and love of music shines through. She is simply the best teacher that I, in my 64 years, have ever had. I look forward to my lessons and am learning!!
    ... Show more
    April 17, 2019
    •Hired on Lessons

    Frequently asked questions

    I like to find out what the goals of the student are, particularly adult students. I talk about the strategies we might use to meet those goals. I give them a "first lesson" to show them how I work, and to help them become comfortable with me. I have other strategies with young children.

    I have been a music educator for more than 30 years. I graduated from St. Catherine University with a Music Perofrmance degree, and received my licesure from the University of st. Thomas in Music Education. I am member of the MMTA (Minnesota Music Teacher's Association)  and VoiceCare Network. I have worked with singers and piano studnents from age 5 to age 85. I have sung with the Minnesota Chorale, VocalEssence, Kantorei. I have also sung with jazz bands. I have a fondness for "jazz," "old standards" and well crafted songs. I was a music teacher (grades k-12) in St. Paul and Minneapolis for many years.

    Standard pricing: $30.00 per 30 minute lesson;

                              $35.00 per 45 minute lesson

                               $50.00 per 60 minute lesson

    As a young musician, I discovered that I truly enjoyed sharing my gifts with others and showing them how possible it is to learn to sing or play the piano and experience the joy of making one's own music! As a result, I studied Music Education in college, and have been a choir director, vocalist and pianist for many years. I have loved teaching people of all ages and abilities!

    Little children, high school students (I was a High School Choral Director for 17 years.), and adults of all ages. Some students have come to me without being able to read music and some have had much experience. I am versatile as to styles as well. I enjoy popular music and jazz as much as classical music. Some stuents want to learn how to create their own music. I am comfortable assisting them in those goals.
    The Chorus I directed in Roseville learned to sing jazz and swing music very well when I was their Director. We performed at the Como Park Pavilion in St Paul in August, and the chorus was very proud of the fine job they did in this concert!

    Have an idea of what you'd like to accomplish. Good teachers will help you with all aspects of musical learning. If you have an idea of what you want to achieve, it will help the teacher develop a curriculum that will be well-suited to your wishes. And don't be afraid to take a risk!

    What does the student envision being able to accomplish?

    Does the teacher have requirements about perfroming?

    Is the teacher able to be flexible in the types of musical styles s/he teaches?

    How does the teacher communicate with students about progress, lesson cancellations, and scheduling?

    Services offered

    Piano
    Singing
    Music Theory
    Organ