Aine Wendler

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

Experience:

I have been an independent music instructor since 1979. I have worked from my home studio in the following cities: Lee’s Summit, MO,
Las Vegas, NV, San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Boston, MA, Stamford, CT, New York, NY, and Kansas City, MO. I work with children, 3 to 18 years of age, at all levels—beginners through advanced. My approach is comprehensive, incorporating fundamentals, literature, technique, music theory, music history, and performance. I work with a variety of different methods, tailoring the materials to the needs of each, individual, child.


Philosophy:

I believe all children can learn to play and to love music. I work from the deep belief that a well-structured music education can enhance every aspect of a child’s personal and academic experience, laying a foundation for academic excellence, self-confidence and esteem, superior study skills, and the child’s personal code of accountability and responsibility.


Professional Affiliations:
Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA)
Kansas Music Teachers Association (KMTA)
Kansas City Music Teachers Association (KCMTA)
American Federation of Music Clubs (Federated Music Teachers of Kansas City)
National Piano Guild (Guild)
Mid America Music Association (MAMA)


***I currently hold the position of pianist for Indian Heights United Methodist Church, Overland Park, KS.***

Career Highlights:

In addition to teaching, a few career highlights include:
Accompanist with the Jester Hairston Chorale.

Rehearsal pianist for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (New York), Providence Performing Arts Center (Providence, RI), and Segerstrom Performing Arts Center (Costa Mesa, CA).

Accompanist for many artists including Helen Armstrong - violin, Eric Friedman - violin, David Feldman – cello, Derek Rogge – trumpet,
Alan Baer – tuba, and David Fedderly – tuba, Yo-Yo Ma, cello.

Musical Director/Conductor for national touring companies of musicals, “My Fair Lady” and :The Music Man” through touring companies Broadway Live and Allied Live.

Active adjudicator (piano) for pedagogy-based festivals, non-competitive evaluative auditions, and competitions.

Currently developing and authoring a pedagogy method focusing on pre-school children.


References:
Valerie Soptick
(contact me)

Tom DeMasters
(contact me)

Kristi Klein (Music Director at Indian Heights UMC)
(contact me)

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My Musical Education Background

Education:
Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance from Central Missouri
State University – 1977, studied with Dr. Wes True.

Master of Musical Arts, Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from a
cooperative program with University of California, Berkeley and
San Francisco State University – 1988, studying Pedagogy and
Romantic Period Literature and Performance with Louise Brugger Bidwell at UC Berkeley and Performance with William Corbett-Jones at San Francisco State University.

Advanced Pedagogy and Performance Study, with Karen Halverhout, retired, Conservatory of Music at University of Missouri, Kansas City.

Genres and Subjects Taught

I teach piano, specifically, and music, comprehensively. In other words, my students not only learn to play the piano but, also, the context in which the music is written: theory, music history, and technique.

My students participate in 2 recitals per year. I belong to the following professional organizations:

MTNA (Music Teacher's National Association)
MMTA (Missouri Music Teacher's Association)
KSMTA (Kansas Music Teacher's Association)
KCMTA (Kansas City Music Teacher's Association)
Federated Music Teachers of Kansas City
Mid America Music Association (MAMA)
National Guild of Piano Teachers

These organizations offer many programs and events (festivals, competitions, non-competitive, evaluative programs, etc.) providing opportunities for student participation and growth.

Lesson Rates

Lesson tuition is based on the same model as private school tuition. Each school year is comprised of two 18-week semesters and one 8 week summer term. The tuition is broken down into 12 monthly installments, due at, or before, the first lesson of each month. An invoice is provided each month.

Tuition, based on one lesson per week, as scheduled, is, as follows:

30-minute lessons = $100.00 per month
45-minute lessons = $150.00 per month
60-minute lessons = $200.00 per month

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

I accept students 3-18 years of age.

I have a special pre-school program for children 3 to 5 years old.

I work with students, K-12, at all levels, beginners-advanced.

I offer intensive instruction and coaching for high school students preparing to enter a college or university music degree programs.

I offer specialized competition coaching.

My Certifications and Awards

In addition to my Bachelor and Masters degrees, I am currently working toward completion of my NCTM title (Nationally Certified Teacher of Music) through Music Teachers National Association, expected completion 05/2013.

I have been listed in "Who's Who" and "Who's Who of American Women" as a piano/music educator and performing artist since 1996.

My Musical Influences

I have been blessed to have studied with fine teachers and to have such wonderful training and influences from each. Karen Halverhout, retired Professor of Music from the University of Missouri, Kansas City Conservatory of Music, a profoundly gifted pedagogue, has been the greatest inspiration I have ever known for teaching. My advanced study with Mrs. Halverhout instilled, in me, a joy, a celebratory spirit, indeed, a passion for teaching.

I would be remiss if I did not cite my students as influences. Nearly every student with whom I have worked has brought unique joys, challenges, and inspirations in the course of our time, together. I have, not only, learned so much about teaching, but I have been given the gift of deep life lessons from the children with whom I have been privileged to work.

Service Area

Justin D
Lee\'s Summit, MO

Aine was our son's teacher for nearly ten years. She gave him joy, humor, and a means of expressing himself through his music. We can't thank her enough for her contribution to the life of our son.

Terry A
Stamford, CT

Miss Aine is the kind of teacher that makes you really believe you can succeed. She teaches us to not be afraid. She taught me to love music.

Lacey R
Overland Park, KS

Mrs. Wendler has prepared me well for the music program at Northwestern University. With her guidance and the performance skills I developed, I was awarded a scholarship. Mrs. Wendler is the most patient and humorous person i know.