Beginning Piano Studio

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

I love Music!  My family has always incorporated music into our lives.  Some of my earliest memories are being danced around in my Mom’s arms and listening to her sing.  I began formal lessons on the Piano when I was 7 years old.   Growing up also I sang in the Church Choirs, played on Hand Bells, and explored the Flute.  I spent a formal year each on Trumpet, Drums and Harpsichord and am currently working on learning Zither, Autoharp, Dulcimer, and Soprano & Alto Recorders, and sometimes the guitar (when I have a chance).  Of course, I also regularly read and attend lectures, conferences, seminars and master classes to always improve my teaching skills.  I have been teaching piano and music theory since 1983 and have played professionally.  I am a member in good standing with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and was with the California Association of Music Teachers (CAPMT) and now with the Arizona Music Teachers Association, was with the Empire Music Teachers Association (EMTA) which I co-founded,, and now with the Phoenix Music Teachers Association (PMTA), the Music Educators National Conference (MENC), the Suzuki Association of North America, the National & the Inland Empire Kodaly-Orff Association, and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy.  I am a fully certified and licensed teacher of Kindermusik and Musikgarten and have earned National Certification (NCTM) through the MTNA and have earned Level I & II (out of 3) in Orff-Scheulwerk.  I was District IV Coordinator for CAPMT, and Vice President then President of the EMTA.  Now I am a member in Arizona with the Phoenix Chapter am now the Recording Secretary and Co-chair of the newsletters and I am getting involved with revamping the Arizona Study Program.  I keep busy and love teaching!

TEACHING OBJECTIVES:

First, to provide quality piano instruction to almost any age.

Second, to make the students as knowledgeable and self-sufficient as possible.

Third, to reach the first two objectives effectively and still have fun doing it.

My Musical Education Background

Genres and Subjects Taught

While I tend to lean on classical music as the foundation to play other genres, I make a point of exploring as many different time periods, places, genres and styles with each student to develop well rounded musicians and help them discover new things.  As the student grows more advanced we will lean more on their favorites.

-     Music Theory, Basic to Advanced

-     Music History, Basic Composition, Ear Training & Harmonization

Lesson Rates

FEE SCHEDULE (As of January 2018)

• If you join thru a managed website like Thumbtack/Taylor Robinson/Take Lessons/Musika, etc. you will not pay the tuition to me, you pay it to them instead under their policies.
• Flat Monthly Fees for Private Lessons, Ages 5-105, of:  45-minutes = $140.00- or   1-hour = $160.00, attended or not!
• If I travel to you, it is an extra $15 per trip.
• Missed Lessons:  Please let me know as soon as possible.  Makeups are available, If I am notified at least 48 hours in advance, if we can find a good time.
• Payment is expected on or by the final lesson of each month.
• Late payment fee is $20.00.  Deadline is the last day of the previous month.
• Additional Children receive $10 off per month.
• Termination Deposit is ½ months Tuition.
• Music Supplies are provided at cost.
• Piano Explorer subscription is $8.00 annually (optional & for grades 4 & up)
• A 60-minute lesson may include the Recorder after moving into the JTM II book, if desired.
• Bounced check fee is $25.00 for banks bounce (or what the bank charges me).
• Students who are listed in a Recital Program who fail to show will be charged $10.00.  This takes 4 days’ notice!
• Other outside Recitals, Competitions & the State Student Study Program are at cost, typically $5 to $30.00.
• Musikgarten Piano Group Classes (Ages 4-8) begin in September and January. and run in Semesters. The Tuition of $350 is for 16 weeks, 1 class per week of 90 minutes and includes all materials.  Maximum 6 Students. No Make-ups at this time.  If you have a child who does both private and the group classes, $50 is subtracted from the semester group lesson fee.
• If for any reason you must stop lessons, one month’s notice is required. At that time, I will prorate the tuition for your final month to reflect the number of lessons that you have received based on the last lesson date. You will be required to pay any balances within 30 days.

INCLUDED WITH LESSONS AT NO CHARGE:

• 15 to 25-minute Weekly Music Lab
• Guarantee that the student will receive a minimum of 4 lessons per month, unless you miss class
• Occasionally, 5 lessons in one month, no extra charge
• Monthly 90 Minute Group Sessions on Saturday afternoon, usually
• Bi-Annual Formal Studio Recitals
• Mini-Recitals
• Access to Field Trips and anything provided thru the local, state & national music teacher associations

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

For Ages 5 - 105

Levels Beginning through Advanced

Transfer students and students with disabilities welcome.

Group Piano by Musikgarten for ages 4-8 years,  Classes forming

My Certifications and Awards

• Certified Teacher of the American Orff-Scheulwerk Method, Levels I & II (out of 3), Orange, California, General group music for any age.
• Nationally Certified Music Teacher by the Music Teachers National Association: teaching piano, music theory, history, practice, composition, harmony, performance and general music, individually and in groups, for over 30 years to ages 5 - 105
• Students Participating in the State Music Exams average score is 94%.
• Certified Teacher of the Musikgarten Method, group music for Ages 0-8
• Kindermusik University, Greensboro, North Carolina and certified as a Kindermusik Maestro Award Teacher for many years (Group music for ages newborn to 8 years)
• Over 18 years of private piano lessons & 1-year harpsichord, 1-year Brass & Trumpet, 4-years Recorders, 1-semester guitar 
• Professional Pianist
• Over 35 years of conferences, workshops, classes and lectures on all aspects of child & brain development, music, teaching skills, learning and behavioral disabilities, teaching methods, music history, teaching, instruments, theory, pedagogy……...  I make a point of attending many each year.  Plus, Continuous Self Study on the above topics,
• Current certification by the American Red Cross in CPR and First Aid, adult & pediatric – 6 separate times
• Current Teacher Fingerprint certification by the state of Arizona
• Cal State San Bernardino University, San Bernardino, California, BA with Honors 
• Chaffey Community College, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 3 AA/1 AS with honors

Service Area

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