I come from a musical family. My grandmother was a concert pianist. She passed away when I was very young, but continues to be an inspiration to me. As children, my sisters and I each played a variety of instruments, but we all started out on the piano at a young age.
I studied piano and oboe throughout high school, then went on to major in music at Ohio Wesleyan University, where I was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, an honorary music society. I received my Bachelor of Music degree in 1976 and began teaching piano soon after.
Though my formal education ended long ago, my learning has never stopped. I attend piano pedagogy workshops whenever I can, and continually exchange ideas with (online) colleagues. I am a member of the Music Teachers National Association and the Michigan Music Teachers Association. However, in piano teaching, as with many other things in life, the best education is relevant experience.
I have learned so much over my 30-plus years of teaching! I have taught children with a variety of learning styles, including learning disabilities. I treat each child as an individual and help that child reach his or her full potential. Some children thrive on challenge, others need a great deal of patience and encouragement.
I believe the opportunity to make music should be for everyone to experience and enjoy, no matter what their level of “talent” might be.