Tracy W

5
5.0 (3)

Instruments: Piano, Keyboard
Styles: Classical, Pop, Musical Theater, Opera, Showtunes

Where I Teach:

Online

Ages Taught: 5-80

Levels Taught:

EMAIL US OR CALL 877-687-4524

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ABOUT

Degrees / Training / Special Info:

DMA, University of Southern California, Piano Performance (expected) • MM, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Piano Performance • BM, Oberlin College and Conservatory, Piano Performance • BA, Oberlin College and Conservatory, Psychology

Awards:

2020 - University of Southern California Thornton School of Music Merit Award Scholarship • 2018-2020 - Indiana University Graduate Award • 2018 - Performed with the Delta Symphony Orchestra as the 1st place/grand prize recipient of the DSO Young Artist Competition • 2018 - Performed at Lincoln Center as the 2nd place recipient of the Camerata Artist International Competition • 2017 - Hellam Young Artist Competition, Joseph Shelhardt award • 2016 - New York International Piano Competition finalist, representing USA • 2013-2017 - Oberlin Conservatory Dean's Award Scholarship

Overview:

I've been playing and performing on the piano for over two decades and firmly believe that music is an enriching factor in anybody's life. I graduated from Oberlin College and Conservatory, with a BA in psychology and a BM in piano performance. Currently, I am completing my Master's at IU Jacobs School of Music and am looking forward to continuing with my doctoral studies in performance and music business at the University of Southern California this upcoming fall. My concert appearances include soloist with the St. Petersburg State Symphony in Russia, Lincoln Center, and New World Center. As an active performer, music is hugely relevant and pervasive in my own life and I hope to be able to convey that enthusiasm to students, whether they decide to pursue classical, pop, musical theater, or jazz repertoire. This past year, I have spent time garnering work experience in the administrative and educational fields of music, something that I felt was lacking from a purely performance-based conservatory education. As a result, I now feel even more passionately about teaching and fostering an appreciation for the arts. I believe in a well-rounded musician and lessons always include pieces of music that the student is genuinely interested in as well as a thorough understanding of musical context/history and theory.

EXPERIENCE

I have over six years of teaching experience, many of which were spent working with schools, music academies, and university-affiliated programs. I have developed a flexible regimen for my students including theory, technique-work, artistic development, and musical knowledge. I see musical instruction as a partnership between teacher and student wherein I cater my methods to my students' goals and they meet me halfway by practicing, asking questions, and being genuinely enthusiastic about our work together. Although I believe in the importance of a strong classical foundation, I believe that adjusting my lessons to the individual student allows for better and more efficient progress as well as a more well-rounded experience; if someone wants to learn pop music, I do not spend as much time on classical repertoire, instead using a bigger proportion of lesson time to focus on recognizing common chord progressions and refining the ability to improvise. Likewise, if the end-game is being able to play a classical piece, I spend the majority of time focused on the refinement of motor control necessary to play more complex works. The goal of lessons is always to bring music into the daily life of a student by giving him/her the ability to continue on their own throughout the week.

METHODS USED

For beginners of all ages, I typically use the Faber Piano Series. These method books conveniently come with versions for both adults and children. What I have found is that students are more inclined to get over the Beginner's Hump-- that frustrating first month or two where we have to train our fingers to move independently of each other-- when they are playing songs that they recognize. Faber does a great job of arranging commonly known pieces for beginners with fun duets for student and teacher so we can play together. I also arrange pieces and send unique simplified sheet music at no additional cost to any students that come in with specific repertoire requests. I supplement this with my own cocktail of scales, aural training, theory, and artistic/expressive exercises, always tailored to the individual. Once the foundation has been laid, I start allowing the student control over some of their pieces for lessons. We will continue on a preset schedule based on the student's interest-- pop, musical theater, classical, etc.-- but I believe that a student should always have some say in their own musical education.

LESSON STYLE

Teaching is something that I hold to a high standard, whether that student is just starting out, getting ready for a recital, or participating in an upcoming competition. I believe that these external motivators always take a backseat to the bigger goal: inspiring a love of music and the arts. As a result, lessons do not suddenly pick up speed when a public performance nears, nor do I let the quality of my teaching drop when there is no upcoming event. I spend a lot of time evaluating the learning styles of each individual that passes through my studio and figuring out how to adjust my lessons to their wants and needs. There are no pre-set milestones and speed at which they need to happen. We will celebrate together when we resolve an issue and work through tricky spots when they arise.

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Dave Mueller

I had taken piano lessons with Tracy from Oct. 2017 thru July,2018. Tracywas always upbeat and positive demonstrating the material to be covered and offering suggestions, never a discouraging word and ending the lesson by asking if you have any questions. I definitely recommend Tracy as your piano teacher.

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