
I understand the learning process and the performing process...I made my living as a working musician along the East Coast and in Nashville,Tn. as a writer, studio musician and keyboardist for recording artists live performances.
I have a passion for what and how a student could move forward to pursue a career in music..or just help someone to explore their love for music and learning to play piano.
I love seeing the aha! Moment when a student understands something new, or reaches a new point in their playing. It's very rewarding.
Read more about this pro
Ms. Jan has been a wonderful piano teacher for my two girls for the past 3 years. She has always been very professional and patient with them. They now both love and enjoy playing on their free time thanks to her, who has inspired them to do their best and love music by teaching them counts and how to read notes without difficulty. My oldest went from playing with only 1 hand to playing Saint-Saens -“The Swan.” I am impressed with the amount of skill they have acquired at their age (10yr and 12yr). Ms. Jan comes to our house with a positive attitude and always has a smile on her face. We love her! If you are looking for a dependable, trustworthy, talented piano teacher who is motivating and kind, I highly recommend her!
Kind and courteous. Daughter says she is nice and challenges her.
So far happy, but we just started
Jan is very patient and kind. My 7 year old grandson has learned so much from her. Excellent teacher!
The first lesson is a "getting to know you" time....i like to see if there is anything that the student would like to play for me or i have all levels of materials with me to see what they can do and where they excel...i discuss goals and music interests.
If they are beginners and don't know, then i start showing them the basics of learning the keyboard,hand position,etc.
I like working with the Alfred or Bastion series of books.
My parents got me to piano lessons at age 4..the piano was a magnet to me. i have a very strong ear and i could hear melodies at a young age and play them. i studied for 12 years with Bristow Hardin. Later, I studied jazz piano with Pat Curtis. I had my own band at age 12, all through Junior high and high school. Then i swithed to playing and singing solo in a piano bar setting which i still do from time to time.
i attended Gardner Webb University and James Madison University studying music education majoring in piano and minoring in voice.
In 1985, I moved to Nashville,Tn. where I got involved in recording and helped musicians with piano tracks for their projects. i also recorded my own songs.
i toured with Brenda Lee for 5 years as her pianist and BG vocalist.
I moved back to Virginia in 2000 and started teaching out of my home. I preferred being a private teacher as opposed to being in a classroom. i taught piano at Alpha Music in 2015 for a year. Now i have my own "go to the home" business which i most enjoy.
I charge $30 for a half hour lesson,$45 for 45 minutes and $60 for 1 hour lesson. I will give a discount if there are more students in 1 household.
Going to college i chose a music education degree to pursue. I knew I wanted to teach when my performing life slowed down.
I've taught young children age 7 up to seniors in their 80's. Some wanted to learn classical and some wanted to learn contemporary.
Playing and entertaining a local nursing home for their activity time. They love music so much and are so appreciative.
Ask questions in detail about anything that comes to mind. Ask to hear me play something for you. It can be specific if it's something popular.
It depends on their age...what they like. If they are children being brought by their parents, then the teacher would know how to proceed. If they are older and have an idea what they like..then talk to the teacher about different approaches to achieve their goal.
In my case, my playing by ear was what drove me..i was very young and my teacher knew just what to do with me. we focused on good habits..correct fingering,hand position,learning theory and sight reading,etc.