The Art Of Music Learning Center

Deborah Duerer-Habash always had a dream, and that was music. Since she was a child, it was her favorite thing to do. As she grew up, piano and singing became a very important part of her life. She sang in the choir, and would play the piano for school and church functions. She began writing her own music at the age of six.

During the 2008 recession, Miss Deb found herself in the same position that many of us did; she was laid off from her job, and work couldn't be found anywhere. After days of panic, she realized that she had a skill to offer, and that was to teach music. Deb realized that many families were probably in the same financial situation that she was in, so, she offered a financial aid program to families that had hit financial hardship. Her first student showed up two weeks after Deb lost her job, and she realized that was what she wanted to do - teach. She went to college in 2009-2013, and completed her degree in biology, while teaching kids to not only play music, but to love it, as well.

Miss Deb acquired her first disabled student in 2009. She was the only teacher willing to teach a child with a severe learning disability. She acquired two more in 2010. She loved them all the same, and instead of focusing on notes and reading spots off of the page, she taught them to love music. In 2011, Deb took on her first terminally ill student. All kids have "special needs", whether those needs are to belong, to be nurtured, or just to feel like someone cares for them. For all students, Deb encourages others in her classes to always be supportive to each other. Those with physical or mental handicaps are taught to embrace music, and the kids who are not physically or mentally handicapped are taught to show compassion, encouragement, and support.

To date, she's worked with children and adults who are autistic, have ADHD, psychosis, schizophrenia, and severe depression. She worked with kids who have diabetes, ALS, muscular dystrophy, cancer, and congenial heart defects. She also works with kids who are completely healthy, and has two performances a year for all children who want to participate. Adults are also more than welcome. It is never too late to learn a new skill!

The students learn piano, handbells, voice, and how to play individually or in groups. She teaches general music and piano primer classes for younger students. Also, she teaches vocal sight-reading for choral music. For those students who have no interest in reading notes, she has ear training classes and composition classes. Deb has a class created for every type of student. She has homeschooling programs set up for parents who would like their kids to participate in extra-curricular activities during the day, and therapeutic programs set up for kids who have been permanently removed from school. She has classes set up in the early evenings for children who go to school during the day, and Saturday classes are available for families who work and can't get to a class during the work week.

The end goal for Miss Deb is always the same - teach a child to passionate about music, and they will learn everything they need to in their own time. We are proud to serve the greater Houston, TX area. We want so much more than to just teach piano lessons, voice lessons, and music lessons. Our goal is to help teach life lessons.