I have been teaching piano lessons for the past 20+ years. I began teaching as a college student while majoring in piano pedagogy and harp performance at Wichita State University. The influence of my piano professors during my college years impacted me in ways that still make me a better teacher today. Dr. Julie Bees, both performer and teacher, taught me to look for excellence in my own performances as well as to focus on healthy form and technique at the piano. Dr. Sylvia Coats helped me notice different learning styles and to find ways to help piano students make discoveries about music on their own.
Classical music is my first love. While learning to read music is of utmost importance, I also focus on helping students with improvisation, ear-playing with chords, music theory, classical composer appreciation, and playing all styles of music from hymns, to pop or jazz. Music brings me joy on a daily basis–both listening to music and playing music! I want to share that love of music with my piano students and give them a deeper appreciation and knowledge of music that will last a lifetime.
I also love to accompany instruments and singers both with the piano and harp. Being a harpist in the Wichita State University orchestra for four years taught me the importance of good rhythm whether playing solo, duet or in a group with others.