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BA in Music (Piano) - Harding University
Perry & Walters Music Foundation Schola
Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society
Dean's List
Harding University Music Scholarship
Harding University Presidential Scholarahip
Hi! My name is Willa, and I've been teaching music for twelve years! I began learning piano at age four, and it became a deeper and deeper passion as the years passed. I dedicated myself to my craft and went on to become a Perry & Walters Music Foundation Scholar, attending Harding University and graduating Cum Laude with my BA in Music (emphasis in piano). I taught for a time in Searcy, (privately, and with the Searcy Community School of Music) and started a weekly music therapy program at a school for kids with mental and physical disabilities (The Sunshine School). From there I moved to Portland, picked up the ukulele, and began to teach at a studio called Music World, where I worked with all ages and talents, and began songwriting and performing across the city. After that, I moved to Birmingham where I taught in a large lessons studio called Mason Music Studios, while continuing my own musical collaborations and compositions. I love Little Rock, and I am excited to be building a private studio here and helping my students become artists in their own right!
I've had the wonderful opportunity to build my private studio while simultaneously teaching with larger studios and music nonprofits. It has helped me grow immensely to learn from professional teachers, seasoned team-leaders, fellow-musicians, and the CEOs of the companies. Over the years, I've been able to glean the best practices from the top professionals in my field. I’ve work with children on the autism spectrum, stroke survivors, Alzheimer’s patients, people who went on to earn degrees in music, young children, teenagers, adult learners, and Seniors. Each comes with their own set of creative challenges and goals, and helping them move to a place of satisfaction and joy in music has been the most meaningful kind of work. When I began to learn music as a child, I had no idea how much joy it would bring me, and the musical community I would gain, or the anchor this pursuit would be for me through the difficult seasons that would arise in my life.
My lesson plans are curated for individual needs. Over the past twelve years, I have worked with all ages, talent levels, and abilities, and have learned that it is absolutely essential for the teacher to adjust their methods for each students, as each individual has different goals, learning styles, interests, and needs. I strive to find new music my students will fall in love with, and am constantly learning new music to help them play their favorite songs at their current level. My students do improv, learn how to chord, arrange, compose, and read notation. Every lesson holds some form of interactive rhythm/theory instruction. Too much of the education in our country lets young people slid by without actually understanding the foundational concepts, and I strive to ensure that my students are well-equipped with foundations that they can build on for the rest of their lives.
I am a laid-back, patient, fun teacher, who is always looking for new ways to motivate and inspire her students. Before anything, I make sure my students are comfortable with me and relaxed. I am nurturing and creative in my lessons and aim to build my students' confidence and pride in their musical achievements while teaching self-discipline so that they will reach and celebrate many milestones. I love music, and I love helping spread that passion to my students. That moment where a concept clicks and a new level is reached is what I live for. I know I am building value and joy into my students lives, and that knowledge makes it all worthwhile.