Melissa W
5.0
(12)
Instruments: Piano
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes, Spirituals
Melissa W
5.0
(12)
Instruments: Piano
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes, Spirituals
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Santa Clara University, Piano Performance/Composition, 1989-1991. (Studied with Hans Boepple 1986-1991)
Aspen Music School, 1991 (Studied with Aube Tzerko here and at UCLA 1991-1992)
UCLA, Piano Performance/Composition, 1991-1992
1989 -- Gordon Getty scholarship, Josh Brawn Memorial scholarship, Rotary Club scholarship, among others
1991 -- Accompanist scholarship at Aspen Music School. Accompanied for students of Adele Addison and performed solo and chamber music
I've been playing the piano since the age of four. Music has always been my passion, and I love passing this wonderful knowledge on to others. I love teaching younger children, but I also enjoy working with people of all ages, including adults. I believe that music is not a "one size fits all" experience and that it is important to focus on the needs, aspirations, and desires of the individual. I also believe that performance is a great way to motivate students, as well as reward them. However, considering the fact that some students may be uncomfortable with going on stage in front of people, performance is not required. Overall, I'm very excited to work with new and interesting people and I always look forward to connecting with others using the power of music.
I have been teaching music off and on since I was in college. I have also been a music director/choir director/organist/pianist at a number of different churches, starting when I was nine years old. I also enjoy working with community theater groups, having served as pianist for many shows including Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, Annie, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, South Pacific, Charlie Brown, The Velveteen Rabbit, and A Day In Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine. My current project is building and learning to play the Pianocycle, a combination piano and bicycle.
Learning should be fun for everyone! My main question to beginning students is: Why do you want to learn to play the piano? I believe keeping my lesson plans in line with a student's particular passion for music is the key to success. For younger students, I like to use the Leila Fletcher piano books, unless they (or their parents) express a preference for another lesson series. For adults, the lesson books I prefer to use, if any, will vary by what the student wants out of their piano lessons. I love to talk about music theory and try to incorporate that into my lesson plans for all ages. I also incorporate some ear training, as that is an important skill for every musician to develop.
My students say I am their "most fun teacher," which is what I like to hear! Weekly music lessons shouldn't be a fearful experience; they should be something to enjoy and look forward to. The fact is learning to play the piano is not a 30-minutes-a-week or even a 1-hour-a-week experience. Learning to play the piano is a daily habit that must be cultivated. To that end, I keep my expectations for my students clear and attainable so that they know what to do in order to be successful. My students and I create goals together so that we can celebrate their little successes along the way. When I'm not teaching or performing music, I make balloon animals for birthday parties and community events, so naturally one of my favorite ways to celebrate our weekly goals being met is to make a balloon animal. Yes, adults get them too. If you want a fun, experienced teacher who will teach you what you need to know and how to get where you want to be, I hope you'll give me a chance to give you a complimentary lesson.
Elayna
She is great and my son loves his piano lessons!
Joanne
My grand daughter has thoroughly enjoyed her lessons. She is 17 so a late starter and it takes the right person to work with a teen and Melissa is that person. Could not be more pleased.
Joanna
We love this teacher. Melissa not only has a great personality and a big hearty laugh, but she was willing & able to take on a big challenge! We have an advanced player who could not read music at all. She is doing a great job of motivating him, challenging him, & meeting him right where he is at.
Torianasharkey
Melissa is an excellent piano teacher. She is teaching both my girls (4 years and 6 years). They love to learn from her. Melissa makes it fun and entertaining. We are very satisfied with Melissa. I defienetly recommend Melissa as a piano teacher.
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