Teaching Approach

I am a very patient, friendly and accomplished piano teacher. I strive to create a relaxed, supportive learning atmosphere where I guide students to reach their fullest musical potential. I am a classically-trained pianist who appreciates most styles of music. I offer the opportunity to learn classical piano technique and music theory for flawless skill and deep understanding of music and mind-body techniques for ease and relaxation, while also inspiring artistry and expressiveness, encouraging students to find their own musical voice. I am an especially good teacher for shy beginners of all ages, adults who studied music when they were young and want to come back to music after a long hiatus, neurodivergent people, people who have had negative previous experiences with music lessons or were told that they were not “musical”, and trauma survivors.

I work loosely from the Faber Piano Adventures Series with beginners, teaching a variety of musical styles, music theory, ear training and improvisation. These skills provide a solid foundation of musicianship for all musicians. In the intermediate and advanced levels, I have a particular passion for teaching classical music and helping musicians of other styles hone and expand their technique and delve deeper into their individual expression. I also have a passion for placing the music we learn in its historical context to bring it fully alive.

In addition, I am a holistic, alternative health practitioner. Upon request, we can work together either in separate healing sessions, consultations, or in tandem with music lessons to heal physical issues, performance anxieties, creative blocks, trauma, limiting beliefs, or anything else that hinders your fullest potential.

Background

I have been playing piano ever since I remember myself. I started formal piano lessons when I was 8 years old and started teaching piano to the children in my neighborhood at 16. I eventually went on to study Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy at the University of Oregon School of Music, where I received a Bachelor of Music cum Laude. Since then, I have taught piano and music theory in schools and music studios, including my own private studios in Eugene, OR, Boston, MA and currently in South Hadley, MA. I also homeschooled my children, my greatest teachers, for 11 years- an experience which has profoundly and irrevocably influenced how I currently teach.

My musical passions include playing western classical music, (especially the works of JS Bach, Romantic and Impressionist composers), free improvisation, improvisational composition and chamber music with dashes of jazz, world music, contemporary classical and songs ranging from Nina Simone to Tom Waits. As well as piano, I am learning to play Arabic Oud and Arabic percussion, incorporating what I have learned about Arabic music into my composing and improvising.

I am also a certified Reiki Master, Flower Essence practitioner, Herbalist and Shamanic Healing facilitator. specializing in helping people recover and heal from performance injuries, creative blocks, performance and other music-related anxieties, the effects of living in systems of oppression and other traumas.

I am currently learning the Taubman Approach to Piano Technique as a part of my journey as a musician living with Hypermobile Ehler’s-Danlos Syndrome. I am joyfully sharing what I am learning about easeful playing, artistry, technique and injury prevention with my students as I go along.

In the words of Michelangelo, at age 87, “Ancora Imparo – I am still learning” and offer the fruits of my love of learning to my students.

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