General Information
LESSONS
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 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, top ratings or honorable mentions in one year in
addition to music scholarships for college.
MY BACKGROUND & EXPERTISE
I have taught private music lessons for over 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. I am currently the Music
Director and Keyboardist for a local church.
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
conferences. I have taken university level piano lessons regularly the past twelve years as well as
periodic voice lessons. I also study with visiting artists as they are in the area.
I recently obtained my national certification for teaching piano and in voice, 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 from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
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 am currently the State Certification Chair and
developed and maintain the local association's web site www.ppmta.org.
I developed the 2003 and 2004 state 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 (CSMTA). 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.





The Barbara Taylor Music Studio
Music participation
enhances:
< Problem solving
< Teamwork
< Goal setting
< Self-expression
< Coordination
< Memory skills
< Self-confidence & esteem
< Concentration
< Poise
< And much, much more.