Personal Statement/Bio:

Hi, there. A little bit about me as a musician. I hold a B.A. in Music from Tufts University, and a M.M. in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). At Tufts, I was awarded first place in the Elizabeth Verveer Tischler Piano Competition and the Tufts Concerto Competition. My excellent teachers have included Gail Niwa, Merilyn Neher, the Pridonoffs, and Richard Morris. Chamber music coaches have included the Tokyo String Quartet, the Raphael Trio, Yehuda Hanani, and Jack Kirstein.

I've collaborated in chamber recital with members of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Opera and other music professionals; have served as accompanist with the Great Miami Choral Society, the NJ Conservatory Chamber Choir and Symphonic Chorus; university and high school choirs, and the Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra; and musical theater. I do occasional work with the New Jersey State Opera and has served as staff accompanist for university vocal programs and opera workshops. I have recently joined Manhattan Concert Productions as adjunct pianist for their Octavo series in New York and served as guest pianist for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Cadet Glee Club this past December.

I've appeared in solo and chamber recital in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Akron, Boston, New Jersey, Vermont, Warwick, NY, and Paris, France in the recital hall at the former home of famed organ composer Marcel Dupré. Together with a violinist, I also recently presented the world premiere performance of the chamber and solo music of Alfred Morena, Sr., an Italian composer, for the Center for Italian and Italian-American Culture in Bloomfield, NJ. I was able to complete a minor emphasis in choral conducting while at CCM and directs the chancel choir at Calvary Baptist Church in Warwick, NY. Just this summer, I established Zephyr Vocal Ensemble, a primarily a cappella, semi-professional, auditioned choir that is going to begin concertizing in April of 2011. (I serve as the church’s organist, as well.) I also earned a teaching license while at Tufts and have taught choral/general music in the West Milford public schools.

I have taught piano for ten years to both children and adults. I love to teach people to play the piano because it is very exciting, and brings them lifelong rewards and joy. I feel I am building a foundation for happiness for their future.

Education/Training:

Please see my Artist Bio, above, for this.

Teaching Philosophy:

Warm, friendly teaching, extra patience for those with learning disabilities or ADHD. I teach with enthusiasm for both the music and for the student's growth - lots of affirmation and encouragement. Very non-threatening style. But, with expectations of progress on a weekly basis.

And I teach you "right," from the very start - You will receive not only instruction on proper technique, but you will be taught the "whys" of everything we do - so that you come to understand, eventually, how to TEACH YOURSELF. My goal is to work myself out of a job! The student must come to know how to become explorative with their technique, learning the best fingerings for their own hands, etc. But I will teach you how to do these things. You will also definitely learn to read music in my studio, and to read CONFIDENTLY.

Student-centered teaching; open to repertoire desired by the piano student, but will teach technique and musicianship through that repertoire. I use Alfred, Bastien, and Music Tree curricula, pulling in other curriculum resources when helpful.

Students aren't required to participate in recitals, but recitals are available twice per year and it's a great idea to take part, if the student is up for it. Builds confidence in making presentations of any type to the public - and builds performance skills, which are different than playing skills.

Music Programs:

NJ Conservatory Symphonic Chorus and Chamber Choir (Mountain Lakes, NJ)

Community Choral Society (Vernon, NJ)

Zephyr Vocal Ensemble (Vernon, NJ)

Calvary Baptist Senior Choir (Warwick, NY)

Vernon Township High School choirs (Vernon, NJ)

Cancellation Policy:

Lessons are paid for at the end of the month prior for the next month. If I cancel, I will reschedule or else credit you for the lesson.

If you cancel for sufficiently good reason, I will reschedule or else credit you for the lesson.

If you cancel for insufficiently good reason or with insufficient notice, and can't reschedule, then your lesson payment will be forfeited.

Promotions:

Introductory lesson for 1/2 price.