Why piano?
I began piano lessons at the age of 9 because my family inherited a piano.
My younger sister wanted to learn to play; I did not. My mom said I would try it anyway.
Several years later, I began to realize that she had been very wise. I loved music. I loved the sound of the piano.
I loved being able to create something (beautiful music) from nothing (a white page with black dots, a white and black keyboard). I loved the satisfaction in the process of learning new music. I loved the way that learning to play the piano forced me to focus and discipline my thoughts and body in new ways. I loved the infinite number of ways I could change the sound with a simple change of movement. I loved the satisfaction of the final product - hearing everything I had worked out in practice come together. I loved the fact that I would never be able to learn it all - there was always a challenge.
Most of all I loved the ability to express ideas, emotion, stories, and worship through sound.
As I grew in my abilities, I realized that the opportunity to play the piano was a precious gift God had given me.
I knew that the desire to play was from Him and should be used for His glory.
I also knew we are blessed to be a blessing - given gifts that we might give back.
I felt compelled to keep growing and improving so I could continue to serve Him better . . . which meant more education, more performing, more piano.
A reluctant beginning became a life-long passion for serving God and creating music at the piano.
My younger sister wanted to learn to play; I did not. My mom said I would try it anyway.
Several years later, I began to realize that she had been very wise. I loved music. I loved the sound of the piano.
I loved being able to create something (beautiful music) from nothing (a white page with black dots, a white and black keyboard). I loved the satisfaction in the process of learning new music. I loved the way that learning to play the piano forced me to focus and discipline my thoughts and body in new ways. I loved the infinite number of ways I could change the sound with a simple change of movement. I loved the satisfaction of the final product - hearing everything I had worked out in practice come together. I loved the fact that I would never be able to learn it all - there was always a challenge.
Most of all I loved the ability to express ideas, emotion, stories, and worship through sound.
As I grew in my abilities, I realized that the opportunity to play the piano was a precious gift God had given me.
I knew that the desire to play was from Him and should be used for His glory.
I also knew we are blessed to be a blessing - given gifts that we might give back.
I felt compelled to keep growing and improving so I could continue to serve Him better . . . which meant more education, more performing, more piano.
A reluctant beginning became a life-long passion for serving God and creating music at the piano.
Why teach?
"There is music in every child. The job of the teacher is to find it and nurture it."
- Frances Clark
The joy I have found in playing the piano is something I know is possible for each child - each person.
I have a passion for bringing that joy to each student's life.
My goal as a teacher is to build life-long musicians who enjoy creating, sharing, and experiencing music with others.
I look for practical ways my students' music-making can be part of their communities, families, and churches.
My greatest desire in teaching is to share the joy God’s gift of music offers each of us.
When I hear a student embracing that joy and expressing it back to God, I find my deepest satisfaction and greatest achievement.
- Frances Clark
The joy I have found in playing the piano is something I know is possible for each child - each person.
I have a passion for bringing that joy to each student's life.
My goal as a teacher is to build life-long musicians who enjoy creating, sharing, and experiencing music with others.
I look for practical ways my students' music-making can be part of their communities, families, and churches.
My greatest desire in teaching is to share the joy God’s gift of music offers each of us.
When I hear a student embracing that joy and expressing it back to God, I find my deepest satisfaction and greatest achievement.
