Piano & Keyboard Instruction

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Searching for a private music teacher can be a tricky business.

Compatibility of the teacher with the student is paramount. Can the instructer pique the interest of the pupil? Can that interest be maintained?

True learning can only be attained through constant discovery, understanding, and the desire to learn. This is not attained through morbid drudgerey. Even the most mundane technical tasks beset on a student can be made interesting with a valued reward for those that persist.

Find an private instructor that can relate to you or your prospective music student. Interveiw the prospective teacher and have them perform a piece for you at their respective instrument.

Ask yourself: Is this a good fit? Perhaps only a couple of sessions will reveal this so you may need to book one or two "trial sessions".

Deep learning and understanding will happen when the Teacher connects with the student and the student is inspired.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I love to see the "lights come on" within my students when a difficult concept is finally realized, or a wall is broken through.

I am most satsified when I see my students grow in ability, mind, and artistry. This is often a small weekly process but can occur in a sudden leap when a new plateau attained.

I love the reactions of proud parents of young students who have work very hard to present their musical talents at student recitals. Also, the reactions of the students themselves when they have acheived their goals.

That is when I know I have been succesful in passing on my own lessons learned to a new generation.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. This is an important topic.

I am constantly in practice at my instrument learning new music and preparing for performance. Given that I am on staff with the Kansas City Ballet, I can never rest on my laurels but must always raise the bar on my personal best. I perform several hours every week.

Any quality piano instructor should also be an active professional performer.

In addition, continued study and discourse with other music educators with regard to techniques and concepts for teachers to interface with students is a key element. I am constantly in touch with several of my colleagues in the United States and Europe, including my own former teachers, on how to best improve my effectiveness as a teacher.