FAQs
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I practice every morning of every day. If I miss a practice I do my best to make it up. There's still so much for me to learn as a student too. I'm currently looking to the style of Bill Evans for guidance right now for help with harmonic improvisation.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I've heard many people, from teenagers to seniors, say something like this as they reflected with me on their piano-learning experience: "Yea... I used to take piano lessons, but I couldn't stick with it. I don't know, they were so boring." NOOOOOOO! Now, it is one thing if they simply aren't interested. That's okay. BUT, it is another thing when the student quits for (unfortunately) very common reasons the teacher is primarily responsible for: (1) The songs were chosen without student input and so they didn't enjoy them, (2) The ONLY way it was taught simply didn't make sense to them, (3) The music theory (how the music works) was intimidating and too complicated, if explained at all, and... (4) The teacher didn't SHOW that they cared about their student, whether the student liked music or not. ... In a sense, music has raised me. The time by myself at the piano when I was growing up was a healing process I didn't always realize, and I wouldn't trade for anything. However, considering that I've experienced all 4 of these reasons in my own piano journey as a student, it has definitely been a long-term struggle with understanding who I am and how music fit in all of it. Sometimes I was a "realist" and tried walking away from music. Most often than not, I couldn't see myself doing something without it. It is a personal mission to make sure my own students NEVER experience these outcomes when taking piano lessons, as long as I can help it. Teaching piano gives me a chance to help others understand who they are and how to respect themselves in that struggle, all while incorporating a craft I am strongly passionate about.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Do your best to make sure the provider care's about you, even if you may not have specific goals with piano.