“Music is the space between the notes.”

• Claude Debussy

 

Music is a Language.

What makes music beautiful is its universality; it is a language understood across cultures, and its notation has remained largely unchanged for nearly a thousand years. Modern music education in the U.S. often overlooks the structural integrity of both music and notation in favor of easy shortcuts, like mnemonics such as Every Good Boy Does Fine for the treble staff. In my teaching, I focus on building a true understanding of how music works at a structural level, without reliance on such crutches. I believe in a sound-to-symbol approach, much like how we learn language: first, we hear, then we speak, and only then do we learn to read and write. Music should be taught the same way: by internalizing its sound before translating it to the page.

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Building Strong Foundations Together
Finding the right piano teacher is crucial to a student’s success and enjoyment in the learning process. Every student is an individual, so it’s important to do your research to ensure your teacher is a good fit. That’s why I always recommend a 15-minute “Getting to Know You” session to make sure our working chemistry is strong and our goals and expectations align. As a teacher, I’m happy to work with students age 3 and older (for younger children, I highly recommend parental supervision throughout the lesson).

Musical areas I specialize in:

• Improvisation and Composition

• The Impressionist Period (notably the music of Debussy and Ravel)

• Using Music as a Therapeutic Tool

Methods I utilize:

• Piano Safari (for a sound-to-symbol approach)

• Piano Pronto (for an accelerated music reading approach)

• Faber Piano Adventures (for a more conventional approach)

Once students progress beyond their method books, I use the RCM Series (Royal Conservatory of Music) as a rubric for teaching classical piano repertoire, providing a solid foundation across classical time periods, along with some jazz repertoire. While my focus is on building piano competency through classical repertoire, I’m always happy to supplement lessons with other styles, including pop, musical theatre, rock, jazz, and themes from movies and video games.

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Consistency Builds Mastery.

Proficiency in any skill requires dedication and consistent practice. While students will make progress simply by attending lessons, there is a world of difference in the long-term growth of those who practice regularly versus those who don’t practice at all. Piano lessons are an investment of both time and money, and it’s important to make the most of that commitment. But not all practice is created equal; during lessons we focus on what constitues truly effective practice. My studio’s goal isn’t just to develop students who can play classical repertoire with confidence and artistry, but also to cultivate well-rounded musicians through the teaching of ear training, musical history and composition.

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Everyone Has a Creative Voice

Music composition and songwriting may seem like intimidating arts only achievable by musical geniuses, but I stress early in lessons the importance and ease of creative expression. Improvisation at the piano is not unlike scrawling a doodle on a notebook and during our lessons I encourage short improvisations to reinforce each new concept. Composition isn’t reserved for a handful of gifted musicians, it should be a natural part of every musician’s journey. As students explore and experiment, they learn that the act of creating music is as accessible as playing their repertoire.

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Piano Lessons Go Beyond the Piano

When students learn the piano, they are not just acquiring a musical skill; they are developing a foundation of lifelong abilities. With daily practice, students learn the importance of discipline and dedication to craft, qualities that extend far beyond their music education . Research also shows that piano students develop a strong sense of hand eye coordination and motor skills. Studies have also linked piano lessons to boosts in attention, memory, executive functioning, problem solving and public speaking.

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Music Starts Within

Like any other instrument, simply playing the keys on a piano is not a musical experience. You could build a robot with fingers that press the keys, but that wouldn’t make it music. Music comes from within; it must be felt first, and the piano becomes the conduit through which we make what is felt within fully realized. A true musician listens as much as they play, shaping each phrase with feeling. That internal connection to music is what transforms sounds into something meaningful and expressive.

 

The Therapeutic Value of Music

I began my professional life as a therapist, and when I transitioned to becoming a piano teacher, it felt more like a lateral move than a complete shift. Whether through practicing, performing, or composing, playing the piano has a peaceful and healing quality that enriches the soul and provides a healthy way to express emotions. Just as therapy provides an outlet for growth and understanding, music offers a path for emotional expression and self-discovery. 

 

Teaching Requires Flexibility

When we think of piano lessons, many of us envision the strict teacher with narrow eyes behind thin-rimmed glasses, the metronome ticking in the background, and a ruler in hand to tap out rhythms. My approach to teaching is more flexible, aiming to meet the needs and expectations of both parents and students. For students who wish to compete in competitions or progress rapidly, I take a more structured approach to lessons. However, for those who play for personal enrichment, I meet them where they are and encourage them at their own pace. My goal is to balance technical growth with nurturing a musical voice and personal expression.

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Piano Lessons are an Investment

Piano lessons are an investment of both time and resources, with benefits that reach far beyond the lessons themselves. While the cost of a piano, lessons, and books may seem like a significant expense, it pales in comparison to the value gained from quality instruction. Investing in a quality instrument can be highly motivating for students, encouraging consistent practice. While a keyboard is sufficient for weekly practice, I believe there’s no substitute for the experience of playing a real acoustic piano or a quality keyboard that facsimilates the touch of an acoustic piano.

 

Beyond Solo Playing

Learning and playing the piano can initially seem like a solitary experience. While most instruments are suited for band or orchestral settings, the piano doesn’t easily fit into those group environments. To address this I strongly encourage making music with others and providing performance opportunities. I offer online monthly masterclasses where students can play with their peers, receive feedback, participate in group learning, and play piano duets. Whenever possible, I also encourage involvement in theatrical productions, accompanying singers, and collaborating with other musicians. While I don’t require my students to participate in competitions or formal examinations, I’m always happy to support those who wish to prepare for them.

 

Learning Never Ends. 

Learning the piano isn’t just for children and the benefits of piano lessons don’t stop after childhood. Engaging with art is part of what makes life meaningful and ideally we should immerse ourselves in it as much as possible. Art nourishes the soul and while our society rightfully prioritizes STEM education,  losing sight of the arts means losing a vital part of what makes us human. Appreciation and engagement with the arts is a lifelong endeavor. I also take that attitude as a teacher and value the importance of professional education, regularly attending workshops, conferences and engaging with professional literature and research to grow both as an educator and an artist. 

 

Future-Ready Teaching

While the piano has been taught for hundreds of years, it’s essential for piano teachers to embrace forward-thinking, technologically-driven methods. My philosophy is to be welcoming toward new tools that enhance the learning experience, while remaining dismissive of those that hinder artistic expression and mental engagement. Modern audio/visual equipment, telecommunication software, and teaching-based applications have made online lessons not just a solution for sick days and snow days but a viable, long-term option for effective learning.​​​​