Piano pedagogy is such a delightful field to be in! There is a new smile to greet, another activity to share, an alternate avenue to try to illustrate a concept, or a composer or composition to uncover. My goal is to provide a solid musical foundation that will nurture a love of music. I offer events that allow a student to experience keyboard skills in various settings, so they can develop the skills that match their goals. I will give you tools to play in a worship setting, competitions, recitals, in a band or just your family room.
I enjoy learning, giving back to the community and unlocking the patterns of sound. Music is sound so the ear needs to be taught how to listen and understand what it is hearing. I encourage development of aural skills through Musikgarten and solfege.
Piano playing is movement; learning the gestures that create musical sounds keeps playing enjoyable. The language of music is essential, we study the patterns of scales, chords etc. The Music Unlocked curriculum by Dianne Matter is an ingenious method of building muscle memory of scales, chords and more, in such a satisfying musical way through various learning styles.
There are many collections of repertoire that we can choose from to connect with the learner, again always a new piece to discover! Let's start or continue the journey!
I have been teaching for 29 years at my home studio and formerly at White House of Music in Waukesha. I am a piano instructor since 2017 at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic School in Wauwatosa with Dr. Margaret Otwell- professor at University of Wis- Milwaukee. I am always tickled by the 3K, 4K, 5K children that attend the general music class I teach at St. Jude The Apostle Catholic School.
View the professional development page to see my educational background.
I am program chair of the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association - Greater Milwaukee Chapter. This organization is committed to ongoing professional development and provides an audition opportunity for students. I am a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs. This is another national organization that provides students with an opportunity to play for a trained ear that will give constructive feedback as well as a composition event. Each organization has a reward of a trophy or plaque and gold bars. I am also the secretary for the Milwaukee Area Piano Teachers Association which is a local group of talented teachers that offers teacher programming, and student performing and composing opportunities.
I am a member of the music ministry at St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church in Pewaukee. Music is a gift we have been given from above and I am thankful!
I am in process of Certification as a National Certified Teacher of Music from National Music Teachers Association.
My 2 sons, Ryan and Tyler are both married and have each have been blessed with children which are a delight. When I am not practicing, I enjoy anytime I am on water or swimming, cross country skiing, nurturing a garden, traveling to Northern Wisconsin, Arizona and beyond. Gatsby and Zara, Ryan's 2 adorable Finnish Lappund dogs come to visit 2 days a week, if you hear a bark or two, they are friendly!
The website is support for the musical journey -Thank you for visiting - Let's play!