Marianna Music

Lessons Offered

Where are Lessons Offered

About Me

I was practically born playing the piano! I was reaching up to my grandmother's piano at the age of three and felt great joy as I "picked out" simple tunes "by ear." At the age of four, I began lessons while sitting on my teacher's lap. All of my life I have loved playing the piano and organ. Singing in and conducting choirs has also brought me great joy. My music education includes a master's degree in piano and voice from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. I also was awarded a specialist's degree in choral conducting and organ from the University of Georgia. In the public schools of Georgia I have taught elementary school music and also served for fourteen years as a high school choral director in the Gwinnett County Public Schools. My Concert Choir and Show Choir won many top awards. My Concert Choir performed five Advent selections for a Sunday morning mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. They also sang for a mass in St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington D.C. where President Kennedy's memorial service was held. My choral groups performed at many exciting venues in the Atlanta area for conventions and other events. My resume' also includes many years of teaching private piano lessons at churches and in my own home. I have membership in the National Music Teachers Association, the American Guild of Piano Teachers, the American Guild of Organists, and the American Choral Directors Association as well as other professional music organizations. I teach in my own home on a Kawai baby grand, a Roland digital piano, and a Baldwin two manual organ. I am especially good with children but enjoy teaching adults also. I am pleased to offer one free, complimentary lesson to anyone who expresses an interest in possible lessons with me. There is no charge and also no obligation to begin lessons.

My Musical Education Background

I took private piano lessons from the age of four through college years.
I began taking organ lessons my senior year in high school and also studied organ at the University of Georgia under Dr. Egbert Ennulat.
I studied voice and also choral conducting while working toward an advanced music degree at U. of Ga.

Genres and Subjects Taught

I have taught general music at the elementary school level in Gwinnett County schools. I have also taught music history, drama, and high school chorus for many years in Gwinnett County schools. I also enjoyed teaching English at the middle and high school levels. A subject which was especially fun to teach was musical theater at the middle and high school levels. Producing elementary school musicals was also lots of fun!

Lesson Rates

Rates for piano, organ or voice lessons are uniform. They are $20.00 for each half-hour lesson and $30.00 for a 45-minute lesson. Tuition is to be paid for the entire month at the first lesson of the month. Any missed lessons must be "made up" or the tuition money is lost.

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

Usually six year olds can make good progress if they're really interested, have good finger dexterity and can keep a steady beat. I keep rhythm instruments on hand so as to work on rhythm skills with the younger children. I possess a great deal of patience and have taught several children with mild learning disabilities. It also pleases me to work with senior citizens. They are welcome to take piano lessons in my studio!

My Certifications and Awards

I won many awards for excellence in piano competitions sponsored by the Federation of Music Teachers. I consistently won superior ratings in Southern Baptist Hymn Playing Festivals. My choral groups won many superior ratings for their performances in choral festivals sponsored by the Georgia Music Educators Association. My ladies trio also usually won superior ratings when participating in contests. Many of my choral students would audition and be selected to sing in the Georgia High School All-State Chorus and also in our Ninth District Honor Chorus. These opportunities caused us to grow in our musicianship and to mature in our performances.

My Musical Influences

My love for music was fostered by the love for music shown by almost all of our family members. Many sang in their church choirs and some played in the high school marching band. Several of us became very proficient on the piano and organ. I greatly loved and admired my first piano teacher who sang as beautifully as she played the piano. Her husband played the organ at our church and directed our award-winning high school band. I grew up in a little resort town across from Palm Beach on the intracoastal waterway. There were many famous musical artists performing at various venues in this area. One of the most exciting performances I ever attended was a recital by Artur Rubinstein. There were many opportunites to attend performances by some of the most famous musical artists in the world!

Service Area

There are no reviews yet for this teacher. Be the first to review Marianna Music