Rebecca S
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Classical
Rebecca S
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles:
Classical
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 6-80
I'm a motivated instructor who is passionate about working with students while sharing my love for music. In July of 2020, I earned a Bachelor's of Music in Piano Performance as well as a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from Liberty University. I am also a member of Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). I have studied the piano for 17 years, but have been professionally trained as a classical pianist for the past 12 years. Before college, I competed in music festivals, performed in Guild auditions, and completed the Music Development Program through level 10. I also performed in studio and community recitals, and performed a 60-minute solo recital. In college, I successfully completed two solo recitals (40 minutes and 65 minutes) and performed in Liberty's Piano Showcase twice, an auditioned concert.
My teaching experience began during college, roughly four years ago, while teaching several private students during a summer break. While studying music in college, I received training in topics such as keyboard pedagogy, keyboard literature, collaborative piano, improvisation, music theory, and musicianship (aural skills). I worked as a Music Theory/Musicianship Grader and Tutor for several years, and I assisted in some group piano classes. For the past three years, I have spent a lot of time working as a collaborative pianist for vocalists and instrumentalists, performing in juries, recitals, and other student evaluations. After finishing school, I began establishing my own studio. In addition to classical piano, I have received two years of collegiate-level vocal instruction. Singing has been a part of my life since a very young age--I believe singing is a wonderful form of musical expression and recommend it to enhance instrumentalists' understanding of phrasing. I also play guitar and have ample experience in contemporary keyboard from church settings. I hope to use all of this experience to provide a rounded music education to my students. I work with students of many ages, skill levels, and goals. I look forward to meeting you and sharing my passion for music with you!
For beginners who are children, I typically use Faber and Faber's Piano Adventures. One of my biggest goals while teaching is to provide my students with a well-rounded music education. From my experience, the Piano Adventures series aligns well this goal while providing engaging, fun material for children. After completing a series of method books, I start to focus on classical repertoire. While I believe classical repertoire is the best way to build piano technique, musicianship, and musical knowledge, I love including other genres depending on the student's interest. For older beginners or adults, I tailor my methods to the student's interest while maintaining a focus on the fundamentals. Transfer students who used alternative method books are often encouraged to continue with their previous books unless the series seems to be a bad fit for the student. I believe flexibility is key.
My ultimate goal is to instill a love of music in my students. Because of this, I aim to create a positive, encouraging environment that welcomes mistakes and fosters exploration. Since every person is unique, I work with each student at his or her own pace and try to match my teaching style to the student's learning style. I like to set individualized goals and reward students when they achieve those goals; this creates motivated students who are eager to learn more. Mentorship is central to teaching music, so I aim to develop meaningful connections with my students.
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