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BM, Juilliard MM, Juilliard DMA, Manhattan School
SOLO RECITAL AT STERN HALL OF CARNEGIE HALL
I am an outstanding classical piano teacher with a vast teaching experience. I also play organ in church. I have been blessed with amazing students and I believe that anyone can learn to play an instrument even with serious medical disabilities. I have studied conducting, carillon and am an active vocal accompanist. I love keyboard skills such as sight-reading, transposition, orchestral score reading, figured bass, lead sheet and improvisation. I am proud of the fact that I passed the initial exam to serve in the USAF.
I believe that I have a natural talent for teaching. I was able to solve varied problems or my students. Whether it is stiff hands, bad hand position habits, inability to play polyrhythms, articulation issues, phrasing and ornaments or a general frustration at being unable to control the sound, I have demonstrated time and time again that these problems are not insurmountable. I encourage, when applicable, parent participation, their help and support but if these positives are missing, I found a way to redeem the situation and that resulted in tremendous self-esteem boost of my piano pupils.
I often create a plan for my students with music materials such as these: scales and arpeggios, etudes, repertoire, sight-reading. Depending on the student, I can stick to a book we use and supplement it with my own handouts. Often students do not have theory or ear-training classes so I include some training in these areas so that it is easier for the student to memorize music and to learn it quicker. My teaching strives to achieve a singing tone. Even students who do not have good technique (hand/wrist position) will be able to overcome their maladies through different approaches that I have learned myself by teaching students of wide range of ages for so many years.
Students have to listen to the sound they are making - whether these are scales or the repertoire. They will become great pianists if their concentration is great. There is no miracle in piano playing. it is a precise and exact art much like carving. All students know - "we have to practice." That is easy - anybody can practice. Laziness is not a problem any more. Lack of interest, however, can be a huge problem, and it arises because students do not know HOW to practice. My goal is to teach students how to practice, how to concentrate, what to concentrate on. I realize the problems of fatigue and stress in students and the obstacles they create but I also believe in the power of Good that can overcome it. That power helps me and my students to succede.