Teaching Style

I teach students both in groups and individually, but I prefer group lessons at the beginning. I find that students working together in groups motivate each other wonderfully! They also have a great time working with each other, interacting, and learning from each other. We play pieces together, discuss theory, do ear-training, and play games together to reinforce each concept. When a student does not fit into a group well, then I either teach them individually or find a group that works best for them. Lessons are 55 minutes long with emphasis on each aspect of music for a pianist; theory, ear-training, practical playing, etc.

For these group lessons, I have two hammer-weighted action keyboards in my studio and a fine Yamaha U3 upright acoustic piano.

I concentrate on classical music in my instruction, though the Piano Adventures Series has a lot of Nancy Faber's original works in it, so these are easier, but very musical, and taking a person in the right direction musically (which is why I use it in the first place). So, I start with the Piano Adventure series, Faber and Faber, and supplement it with classical pieces fitting for the level they are in. The two Festivals each year (MTNA's Sonatina and the Boise Tuesday Musicale Festival), and the two recitals each year, give students hard pieces to work on, too, which make them grow.

Once a person reaches about level Four in Faber and Faber, I move to purely classical repertoire.  Snell, Applause, Inventions of Bach, Debussy's Children's Corner pieces (not easy), Sonata's of Mozart, Kuhlau and Beethoven, and just pieces that I know will make them mature. These are how I move them to maturity, always thinking about University and being prepared for entry into a Bachelor's Degree program.

I have designed the curriculum to give students a well-rounded musical education, including a solid working technique, which is able to take them into the future. I also address scales (major, minor, chromatic, etc.), as well as chord relationships within these keys, a working understanding of the three primary chords and how they create songs/pieces, and musical form. Expression in music is the final goal - the beauty. Shaping, dynamics, articulation and how to technically negotiate each articulation, all go into expression. My desire is to set the foundation and give the building blocks that will bring each person to a place of musical competency. Knowing the art of playing the piano will create a finer appreciation for music by bringing musical maturity to a person!

Concerning my technique, it is a relaxation, strong individual finger, arm-weight, freedom of the wrist, philosophy of playing, giving the greatest freedom to tackle any difficulty that a pianist may encounter as they go from piece to piece in their musical career. No student catches on immediately, and I take plenty of time over the months, using various literature, to be sure that they are executing technique well. Technical ability gives the freedom to play pieces the way one hears it in their head, the musical interpretation that is vital for intended expression of the pianist. In the end, their musicality and tone production will be the best testimony to technical proficiency.