I believe that learning a musical instrument teaches a student much more than music itself. Through studying piano we learn hard work, diligence, grit, how to reach a goal, how to master something, and self-confidence. We learn how to appreciate good music, how to listen, how to communicate, and how to be vulnerable. Through music we learn math, history, and art. Music is something that can last a lifetime. As a piano teacher I strive to create pianists who will be musicians for life!

I strive to create lifelong pianists and musicians who love music and who can confidently share their musical gifts with others to bless lives.

My goal is for my students to come away from piano lessons with the following skills in four main areas:

MUSICAL LITERACY & SIGHT READING

• I can read and write music
• I understand how music works
• I can sit down and play something by sight that I have never played before
• I can learn, memorize, and master a piece of music

TECHNICAL SKILLS & MUSICAL BUILDING BLOCKS

• I can play in any key on the piano (I know and can play scales, chords and arpeggios in each key)
• I know the correct way to play with my fingers, hands, wrists, arms and whole body in order to stay relaxed and healthy, and to create a beautiful sound and to have control over the keys
• I know how to create different sounds and tone colors on the piano
• I know how to listen to my playing and make the notes musical and beautiful

CREATIVE MUSICAL SKILLS

• With my understanding of chords and keys and music theory, I can create my own music at the piano
• I can harmonize a written melody with just a chord name and know what to play

MUSIC HISTORY & APPRECIATION

• I can name several famous composers of both genders whose music I am familiar with
• I have a few favorite composers
• I enjoy listening to music in my free time
• I can appreciate music of many genres, including classical music from different musical periods in history
• Music is an important part of my life