Lessons incorporate all styles of music including classical, folk, gospel, pop, and jazz
for both piano and vocal students. Theory and technical exercises are part of the
program. Other services include transcribing, arranging, and recording music. The
latest computer software is also available to enhance student learning.
WAITING ROOM/PARKING/TELEPHONES
Lessons are conducted in my home in the lower level. Moms or Dads are welcome to
wait for their child in my home in the lower level Waiting Room. Tables, chairs,
telephone, keyboards, TV and a computer are available for use by those who are
waiting. If you park in the driveway, please park on the left side. My upstairs living area
is off limits. Please use the downstairs bathroom adjacent to the teaching area out of
respect for my family and our living area. Piano students are asked to wash their hands
before playing pianos. Disinfectant soap is provided in the studio bathroom.
STUDIO OVERVIEW
I schedule the equivalent of 50 half-hour lessons a week for approximately 37 students
(some students take up to two hours of lessons each week.)
Students may arrive for their lessons 15 minutes early to take advantage of my
computer programs, which cover all levels of theory, sight-reading, ear training and
song writing activities. I have training CDs on playing Jazz Piano and a listening program
with over 500 classical pieces which can be used to familiarize and test yourself on
their titles and composers. The student should let me know if they are interested so I
can set up a program for them in advance. There is no extra charge for these
opportunities.
I have several keyboards, which allow up to six students to play ensemble pieces where
each plays a different part with a different instrument. It is a lot of fun. I also have a
grand piano and organ in my studio.
Each Christmas the students record their best pieces from the prior year on CDs as a
gift for their parents. Additional CDs can be made available as grandparent gifts. Each
CD is $5.
I have had students awarded as many as 30 trophies and honorable mentions in one
year in addition to music scholarships for college.
MY BACKGROUND & EXPERTISE
I have taught private music lessons for nearly twenty years. I also taught vocal music,
grades 1 – 12 for five years in North Dakota. I perform regularly in recitals and churches
in the area. In 2000 I performed in a master class in Austria when I attended the
International Music Symposium. I performed in several recitals in 2000 and 2006 in Italy
while attending the Corsi Internationzionali di Musica. I have sung with several small
groups and choirs and performed at Carnegie Hall while singing with the Velvet Hills
Sweet Adelines. I’ve also directed several church choirs and a Sweet Adeline Chorus.
To assure my continued education and musical growth and to keep up with new
developments I take pedagogy courses, as they are available locally as well as all those
offered at the state and national conventions. I have taken university level piano lessons
regularly the past six years and voice lessons weekly I also study with visiting artists as
they are in the area.
I recently obtained my national certification for teaching piano, so we place NCTM
(Nationally Certified Teacher of Music) after our names to indicate that the Music
Teacher's National Association has determined through testing and references that our
background meets the requirements for National Certification.
I initially attended the University of North Dakota and earned approximately 50 semester
hours of credit, primarily in music. My bachelor’s degree is in Business Administration
and I have an MBA in Communications.
The last seven of the seventeen years that I was in the corporate world, I served as
Regional Director of Human Resources for Pepsi-Cola. I concentrated on teaching
Leadership, Personal Development and Team Building Skills. I left in 1993 and resumed
doing what I love most – music.
I am active in the Pikes Peak Music Teachers Association (PPMTA) out of Colorado
Springs and am a member of the State and National Music Teacher’s Association.
Locally we plan and execute at least five major music festivals and competitions each
school year. I have acted as Vice President of Programs for PPMTA for three years. In
doing so, I contracted with professors and well known artists to present programs to
our teachers on a monthly basis. In 2003 I presented a workshop at the State
Convention on using audio and video in the music studio and recently presented a
program to PPMTA members on using technology in their studios. I was co-presenter of
two workshops at the State Conference 2007. I have been asked to judge several piano
competitions.
I developed the 2003 and 2004 Theory Tests for piano, voice, woodwind and strings for
students to take to qualify to perform and compete at the annual state competitions
sponsored by the Colorado State Music Teachers Organization. During 2005, I
performed in a Master Class at the State Convention coached by Barbara Lister-Sink. I
was a finalist in the Metro State concerto competitions the past 3 years and won the
Pramberger Piano Competition in Denver in 2006.
COMMUNICATION
If you have questions as to how this handbook relates specifically to you or you have
suggestions on how I may improve something I’d love to discuss and explore your
questions and ideas. I will inform you of up-coming events through E-mail or a memo
sent home with the student. I use the student’s notebook to note times, dates, costs,
etc. and parents can use it to write notes back to me. Policies and updates on major
events, etc. will be posted in the downstairs waiting area . Photo albums with pictures
of past events and winners are also located in the waiting area.
Over the years of teaching, I have noticed that students whose parents take a daily
active role in assuring the practice time are motivated because they know their mom
and dad love hearing them practice. Remember that some children feel isolated when
practicing piano and lose motivation if no-one is nearby to listen to the practicing.
Enthusiasm is contagious.
