I love teaching children and adults. I've taught for about 40 years. My degree is in elementary education with a minor in music. For eight years I enrolled in one or two-week Summer Piano Pedagogy Courses at various colleges and universities, such as Baldwin Wallace College & Capitol University in Ohio & North Western University in Illinois. I have also taken shorter 1 to 3-day workshops and Master Classes with such wonderful teachers as Amanda Vick Lethco, Dennis Alexander, Jean Weisman and Nancy Bachus. I am a certified teacher of Kindermusik and the Mayron Cole Group Piano Method. I have focused heavily on beginning instruction because I believe a firm foundation is fundamental to future success.
I served several years as the Akron, Ohio Chairman for the National Guild of Piano Teachers. All of my students entered annually. The Guild frowns upon publishing student ratings so I will only say I was pleased with all of my students. I also served as a judge for the National Federation of Piano Teachers. Most of my performance experience is as an accompanist for soloists and small professional vocal or instrumental groups.
When we moved to Gilbert in 1996, I became an active member of Desert Valley Music Teachers Association. All of my students participated in a minimum of two annual events, most entered 3 or more and several entered all the events. Over the past 8 years it has become difficult for me to manage being out and about without assistance with things that aren't convenient for me to manage alone. I miss my association with the many wonderful teachers I met at DVMTA.
I emphasize theory, ear training, sight-reading, transposing using movable "do", some composition and improvising, technique, playing musically with feeling, ensemble playing and performance etiquette and confidence. I teach students how to practice effectively. I have one formal recital a year along with student recitals and other performance opportunities.
Though I've been semi-retired, today's economy has me building my studio again. I have a few openings after school and in the mornings before school. Daytime lessons are available for Adults and Home School Students. I do not teach in the evenings. All lessons are in my Gilbert home.
