Whitney C  
Instruments: Piano, Voice
Styles: Classical, Pop, Blues, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Spirituals

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time 15 years ago, and have been consistently teaching students in my in my studio for the last 10 years. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for their instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn as well as sing . If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. I'm always looking to bring on new students of all ages!

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. I not only use books, but videos, lots of exercises to use when at home and formal presentations.