Erin W  
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Double Bass, Mallet Percussion, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Latin, Funk, Flamenco, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova

I come from a family of musicians- I was encouraged to play piano as soon as I could sit up. I had formal private piano lessons for 12 years, played in the school orchestra and picked up guitar and drums in local bands. I continued to study music at Mizzou while I performed in restaurants, bars, wineries, and private parties. After graduating I got into social work with foster care and senior centers during the day while i taught private lessons and played in bands at night. Eventually I left social work to focus on music - teaching, performing, and touring around the country. Playing music at a pre-school I met my future wife, started a family, and bought a house. Primarily teaching private lessons and occasional performance has given me the flexibility to have plenty of family time.

I use both classics and popular songs to teach reading, theory, ear-training, and improvisation. I teach all of my lessons differently- custom tailoring each one to the students (and parent's) wants, needs, and personal learning style. My success in teaching has come from helping the student to see the joy and pride that comes from attaining goals they might not have believed possible. Playing music should also be fun- the more a student enjoys what they are doing the more they will play- resulting in a higher level of achievement. I also believe learning self-motivation, the discipline to practice, and resulting confidence will have positive effects in all aspects of their lives.