Teaching Approach:
I am a classically-trained pianist, and have been teaching all ages/levels from 5-adult for over 15 years. Children: while I believe classical music is essential for a proper foundation, I also add other styles of music (pop, broadway, movie soundtracks, etc) to keep a child engaged and wanting to practice. Adults: the complex challenges involved in playing the piano are great for the brain! Whatever the age, I believe learning to really read music (not just those flash cards!) and developing a good inherent sense of rhythm are essential, and I want to help each student find their personal connection to music—both as player and listener—that they will have for the rest of their lives. Having suffered with tendonitis for many years, I now have an excellent understanding of the physical requirements involved in playing the piano, incorporating the fundamentals of the Taubman Technique. I have a studio in Amherst, but primarily go to students’ homes for their lessons.

Background:
BM in Performance UMass Amherst with Nigel Coxe, MM in Performance University of Louisville with Lee Luvisi , MM in Accompanying from Curtis Institute of Music. I freelanced and performed for 18 years in NYC where I eventually discovered the Taubman Technique, studying it intensively with Edna Golandsky for 12 years.

Contact:
Amy Gates
Amherst, MA
646-633-2446
amygates828@gmail.com