Based in the rain-soaked leafy green city of Vancouver, I am a professional pianist and teacher (B.Mus Jazz Studies & Music Education, Capilano University.
Now into my second decade of teaching piano and music theory to a wonderful group of students, I have come to believe that music study is not a luxury but a necessity, something we all need to help us learn about beauty, expression, history, cultures around the world, and what we are really capable of through hard work and dedication. Music lessons are an amazing gift to give your children…or dare I say, yourself. My youngest student is 6, my oldest is 80. About a third of my teaching practice consists of adult beginner students. No matter what age you are, it is never too late to start. One of the most outstanding teacher student relationships I’ve ever had was with an 81 year old woman who started as a beginner and studied with me for 10 years.
I guess what keeps me teaching and motivated to keep showing up at my student’s doors week after week is watching people grow. Sitting beside someone and seeing them master what was impossible last week, being there as a person becomes more skilled, more intelligent, and more confident before my very eyes is energizing and fascinating. And besides all that, there’s this beautiful side effect of making music – wonderful (and sometimes weird) sounds that spill out of the piano as we work together to figure out the next riddle, solve the next puzzle, and understand the next level in whatever piece of music is currently on our plate in a limitless universe of music.