My music education has prepared me to be a performing artist, and through performing, I have built the fundamentals to teach students at any level.  In my 20 years of teaching, I have worked with hundreds of students, from beginners to professional pianists. My first message is always “love and enjoy music,” for I believe that enjoyment will foster passion and motivation for learning.  After that, comes the hard work and discipline which we need to learn.

My role as a teacher is to inspire and to help each student to build a strong foundation for their meaningful musical journey.  Building a strong foundation - sightreading, sound production, fingerings, phrasing, rhythm - does not only apply to beginners but includes students at all levels.  These are elements in which I am still improving.  Building and refining a foundation is a lifelong commitment to growing as an artist.  

In my studio, students receive a weekly lesson in which we work on musical, technical and theoretical aspects of the repertoire.  Every student is different and understanding my students’ strengths, weaknesses, and ways in which they learn is the key to productive and effective lessons.  The lessons culminate in a formal annual recital held in a concert hall each year where students will get together and perform.  Smaller studio classes are also held periodically via Zoom or in person so that my students can get together and share their works.  These events not only help students prepare for auditions and competitions, but also provide a forum in which to share ideas and support other fellow students. 

I enjoy helping my students prepare for exams, auditions, and competitions, for I believe these events provide motivation for students to reach certain goals.  But they are only a part of the reason for learning piano.  Learning an instrument teaches us to feel, to listen, to express, and to strive for improvement.  It teaches us to be disciplined, proactive, patient and persistent.  Repetition is essential for success in most everything we do in life and practicing an instrument emphasizes that.  Thus, it is crucial for students to form good practice habits.  Without practice, even the most musically gifted person would not make it far. 

One of my students once told me: “I know that music will always be part of my life and I thank you for it.”  That statement often reminds me that my responsibility as a piano teacher is to be a positive influence on my students and help them carry their own musical notes as far as they can.