About
Teaching all ages and levels, I am a degreed, award-winning teacher who is passionate about what I do. Many fun perks are offered to students throughout the year as well as optional participation in the NC Federation of Music Clubs yearly piano festival of which I am chairman for Western NC. At APA, you will find lessons to be relaxed and enjoyable. Here, students are allowed to have a say with regard to their supplementary music to ensure that they are always working on music that they love and can get excited about! Practice is rewarded and many optional performance opportunities are offered that, if taken advantage of, enable students to become comfortable performing. Also, most all APA students graduate from lessons knowing how to sight-read so as to ensure that they will be able to play for a lifetime of enjoyment without assistance from a teacher. After all, isn't that what it's all about? For more information visit: www.ashevillepianoacademy.com or call 828-712-8518. Call now and receive a free trial lesson!
Music has always been an integral part of my life. I always loved my own personal years of private study with excellent teachers and enjoy sharing what I have learned with others. When in high school I began lessons with a professor at WCU and during that time also obtained my first job as church organist at First Methodist in Bryson City. Beginning to receive requests to teach, I began doing so and even though I am degreed in music education and taught music in the schools for a number of years, I never stopped teaching privately. Currently, I am enjoying two wonderful onlne piano pedagogy groups that I am involved with and also have two very close friends who are world class concert pianists. They constantly inspire me, encourage me and are a wealth of information! I cannot imagine any job that would be more rewarding than that of imparting a life long skill to those I have been intrusted to teach.
Highlights
Reviews
Suzy B.
Myrna C.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The typical process depends upon the age of the student, but in general I offer an introductory meeting free of charge. The student will have opportunity to share with me their goals and what they hope to accomplish through the lessons. If they have had lessons prior to coming to me, I ask them to show me the books/music they have been working from. I ask them to play a favorite piece for me or something they were last working on. It by no means is expected to be perfect, but it helps me to gain an idea about where they are with regard to their technique, etc. I do a music reading assessment, checking their ability to sight-read. Then, I make suggestions with regard to how we might proceed and I map out a plan that will help them to reach their goals. I also share with them several ways that we will keep the lessons enjoyable and rewarding.
If the lesson is with a complete beginner, I show them the materials that I recommend that is appropriate for their age and I explain as well as demonstrate what lessons would be like. I always teach them a simple, easily learned duet before they leave. That never fails to bring them great delight, especially when they learn that duets are incorporated weekly at lessons. Finally, I give them opportunity to ask questions. I want to ensure that my students are always completely comfortable asking any question they may have as that is how we learn!