Teaching Philosophy

       My teaching method is to find out what the student wants to achieve, and to use my background in many styles of music to choose the right approach and materials for the student to achieve their goals.

       Several of my students have won the piano spot in Seattle area school jazz bands (Ballard High School, Brier Crest Middle School);  some have won college scholarships in music (Cal State Northridge, North Texas State). Some have achieved just the ability to  play Christmas carols and songs for family gatherings, or to be able to jam with friends in rock or blues sessions.  My studio motto is 'You set the goal, I'll take you there'.

       Students are given opportunities to perform, at the two recitals that my studio presents every year,  and at recitals produced by the Washington State Music Teachers Association.

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References

Teaching Methods

       For teaching reading and classical music - Beginning and intermediate students are shown
several different standard 'method' series and choose the one that appeals the most to them for their
basic studies. Repertory and 'show' pieces are chosen by the student. 
        Advanced students' lessons are built around the main style or styles of music they are interested in -
Baroque, Classical or Romantic classical music, fancy arrangements of popular or movie pieces, transcriptions
of great jazz solos, etc. The student will be encouraged to study those aspects of theory, technique, and style
history that will help them understand and perform their chosen pieces.                                            
       For teaching improvised music (jazz, R&B, rock, gospel, Latin, blues, etc.) -  This approach combines theory,  exercises and jamming: students are shown the music elements (chords, scales) used for the genre they are interested in, then drilled extensively in those chords and scales, then use these chords and scales in two-keyboard jam sessions with me, playing along with records, and composing their own arrangements.
        All students are given physical exercises for arms and fingers, as well as keyboard
exercise books that train these muscles (Edna Mae Burnam, Hanon, Czerny, etc.).         

My Background

        My background includes work in R&B, jazz, salsa, country rock, and cabaret bands, as well as
accompanying singers in cabarets and at the Lee Strasberg Acting school in Hollywood (1984-1992), and teaching college  courses in rock history and rock piano (Cal State Northridge,1981-1992; South Seattle Community College, 1993-1996).
          I have studied and played music on both the West and East Coasts. I have also done studio recording work in Boston and Los Angeles.
           I moved to Seattle from Los Angeles in 1992, and now play every Sunday at Bethesda Lutheran Church, Mountlake Terrace  (piano and church band leader). I have made 3 CD's with my own jazz group Creation City, one CD with the Bethesda church musicians (Bethesda Gospel), and perform occasionally with other jazz bands.
            I have been a member of the Music Teachers National Association since 1991, and have served
as Yearbook Editor for the Seattle and Edmonds chapters, and as Theory Chair for the Edmonds chapter.