Introduction: I teach in person in Bend Oregon, and since COVID I am also teaching in my zoom room all over the United States.
I began as a professional singer when I was 19. I sang on Tour in the US and in the Uk with Frankie Vallie and the Four seasons, Perry Como , and Chris Hillman. I have done a lot of studio work, numerous singing and acting commercials, on and off camera, TV, 2 movies, worked with a Playwright for 10 years, and was also in several musicals. I did my last commercial and play when our daughter was 2 1/2, to have more time with her.
We moved up to Bend Oregon in 2015. I have been teaching Singing piano and songwriting , as well as voice lessons only, for over 20 years. With Singing I give amazing vocal exercises to improve the quality, strength of your voice, and breath control. I say amazing, because they are the ones given to me so many years ago when I was being trained. I also work on pop songs and or musical Theatre songs with you.. I usually teach 1 hour for $60 so there is time fore both. I can do 45 as well.
For Piano Singing and Songwriting:
When I was 7 years old I started piano lessons. After about 6 months of lessons my teacher told my parents that she couldn't me anymore. I wasn't learning to read the music. I could play it all, and create my own songs, but she had no ability to teach to my needs. She only knew a traditional way to teach and if I wouldn't learn her way, I was unteachable. Never mind my ability to play what I heard, or pick out a melody, or my sense of timing and rhythm. Years later I taught myself theory, chords and rhythm, and how to listen to a song, play it, and change the key if I needed to as well. I also wrote my own songs. As an adult, I wanted to learn to read music and expand my understanding and abilities. I found a teacher to teach me.
When our daughter was 4 1/2 years old, I started teaching her duets and we'd tell fun stories using the piano. I realized what an amazing ear, timing and creativity she had. She wasn't as interested in learning to read the music as to play classical music that was way above her reading level. So I began showing her different classical pieces and eventually pop songs she liked. I also taught her chords and rhythm piano. We were at a party one day when she was 6, and she began playing Fur Elise on the piano that brought not only the children into the room, but all the adults as well. They were amazed at her playing. She told the crowd that I had taught her and one little girl pleaded with her mom to let me teach her. She took my number and that began my teaching career. I became the teacher I never had.
Many of my parents have become my students saying “I want to learn how to do that.” I have taught kids and adults ages 5-75, who have become great readers and unbelievable singer/songwriters. My daughter is soon to be 25, and is still playing and writing her own incredible music. She plays piano for the joy and love of playing and creating.
I have met so many adults that took piano as a child, never to play as an adult. The love was never instilled in them. They only remember their parents forcing them to practice. I realize that teaching to the individual is giving that person a chance to build a loving relationship with the piano and singing, in their own time. My desire is to teach students to be responsible for their own progress, and to help them grow confidence in their own abilities to play piano and sing, and create their own amazing music. This is how my teaching stands out.
I love writing songs with my students, and guiding them to write their own. I love watching their confidence develop as musicians, and as singers. I love the laughter we share.
