Kate E  

5

  5.0 (3)

Instruments: Piano
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Folk, Showtunes, New Age

I have been teaching in the St. Louis area since 2001, when I took my first Piano Pedagogy course at Webster University.  I also taught for 2 years in the Los Angeles area.  I have taught children as young as 5 years old and my oldest student was 88.  I encourage regular practice but always attempt to inspire motivation rather than enforce it.  I bring standard piano repertoire and classical literature to the table so that students can discover their preferences and have a clear sense of Music History. At the same time I encourage students to select their own pieces in a variety of genres so they can develop a more personalized repertoire. Lessons are generally tailored to students' individaul needs and interests. 

For beginning and intermediate students I utilize the Bastien Method books series, which includes supplemental Theory and Technique books that can be purchased if needed.  These students each select performance pieces which they enjoy and are level-appropriate from a variety of sources. More advanced students focus primarily on challenging performance pieces, several of which are selected as 'keepers' for practice and review.  Lessons include technique practice (scales, arpeggios, finger exercises), theory (from textbooks, flashcards etc.) music history, instrument mechanics, ear training and musicianship (such as rhythm and sight reading drills, dictation) and student compositions (notation and continuation methods).