About
I am a graduate student studying piano performance at Brigham Young University and am a student of Dr.Beus. I have previously studied with Dr.Irene Peery-Fox and Dr.Holden. I have been teaching private piano lessons for nine years and have taught various levels and ages of students. One of my students was just accepted into the BYU piano performance program! I feel very passionate about a wholistic approach to piano such as incorporating elements of theory, technique, improvisation, aural skills, and stylistic interpretation into my students lessons from the very start. I feel this is the key to not just becoming a pianist, but to becoming a musician. That is the hope I have for each student I teach.
I began piano at the age of four and have had the opportunity to compete across the state in various piano competitions. I have won over 17 first prizes, and had the chance to solo with both the Utah Symphony as well as the Brigham Young University Orchestra. I love piano and it is my passion to practice, perform, and teach it. I absolutely love helping a student feel a bit of that excitement I have and especially love it when I see them go forth and excel. I love working with students who are willing to work hard and follow the expectations I set. Following up on assignments and seeing results is one of the best feelings ever!
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Miriam B.
Maren G.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
This depends upon the level of the new student of course! With beginning students I simply start with good, round, curved hand position and learning the notes of the keyboard through a fun little story that helps them to remember. I then will have them learn simple songs, without notated music, that incorporates the new notes they just learned and middle C position. I then introduce piano level books like the Faber series as well as a book by award winning pianist, Shane Bowles, called Keyboard Foundations. This book introduces, in a fun way, chords, triads, and improvisation. I have seen young students do fabulous with this book! For more advanced pianists, I straightaway begin with reviewing technique, fixing bad habits, and emphasize NO tension. We set up a 15 minute technique chart and choose repertoire. I also suggest introducing these later students to the Keyboard Foundations book previously mentioned.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
As previously stated, I began seriously studying piano at the age of four and have worked with various concert pianists in my own developement. My main teachers have been Dr.Irene Peery-Fox, Jaqui King, and my wonderful mother! I have received master classes from names such as Dr.Scott Holden, Vladimir Kulenovic, Marina Lomazov, and more. I am now a Junior studying piano performance at BYU and am on music scholarship. I have been teaching piano since the age of 15 and am now twenty-two years old. I have been asked to be a practice buddy and have been highly sought after by many in my hometown to teach piano and violin lessons. As mentioned before, I have been competing in piano competitions since the age of 6 and have won about 17 first place awards throughout the state. My highest achievements are being selected to solo with the Utah Symphony, BYU orchestra, soloing at Assembly Hall on Temple Square after winning UMTA piano concerto competition, and winning first at the UVU piano competition with a prize of $500. I have worked hard, and have received many comments on my teaching in the positive!
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
i charge $40 for an hour $30 for fourty-five minutes, and $20 for half an hour. If the student lives more than 5 miles away, I charge a travel fee of $3 per lesson. I expect to be payed each lesson either through cash or Venmo.
How did you get started teaching?
i started teaching piano lessons at the age of fifteen when neighbors in my hometown were looking for teachers!
What types of students have you worked with?
I have started multiple baby beginners. I have worked with a more serious pianist who is now preparing to audition for piano performance programs in Utah and Idaho. I have worked with many intermediate students.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I recently had a lesson from my Dr.Irene Peery-Fox and left so so inspired and excited to go work hard and have big dreams. Her passion for the music, innate concern for me and all her students, and great feedback in the lesson inspired me to be a teacher like that. She is honest and not easy to get compliments from, but when she gives one, which she often will, she really means it.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
If you really want to progress and have fun with piano... I suggest finding a teacher who is carasmatic and passionate about what they do! Find a teacher who gives you good goals and follows up on everything they say/ so they are credible. Find a teacher who cares about nick-picky details with sound, rhythm, and position, so you can learn piano in the best way possible without making bad habits that are hard to break later. Find a teacher who is kind but also has high expectations for you so you can reach your highest potential. Find a teacher who loves you as an indivual and wants you to succeed and gives their best to help you do so as a musician and in all faucets of life. Find a teacher who will help you love piano!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What are your goals with piano for this year, five years. ten years?
How much are you willing to practice everyday, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour, etc.?
What type of music do you like to learn?
Does or will your parents help you learn and sit in on your lessons?