If I were holding a big rock and standing at the edge of a pond, and the goal was to have an effect on the water by creating beauty with ripples and waves, I would have a couple of ways to achieve that. I could drop my big rock in the pond and watch the surface of the water ripple out from the epicenter until the ripples fade away. However, I think I could achieve more ripples and have more of an effect on that pond if I broke my big rock into lots of little rocks and handed them out to other people to throw in. With lots of people throwing rocks in, there would be more ripples, more designs in the ripples, and perhaps even larger waves created as the water collided in various patterns. I liken this effect to the effect that my teaching music has on the world. My goal is to deposit as many rocks as possible into the hands of musicians, so together we can create beautiful music and send multitudes of melodious waves rippling into infinity.

 

     Music touches the soul of humanity in a unique way. We don’t have to teach our babies how to dance, they simply respond to music because we are created to feel it. As a piano teacher, it is my job to equip others to express the music inside them. Everyone expresses music differently. Some create it, others replicate it, while some express it in every part of their body through dance. My goal is to discover how each individual I teach is created to express music. Some of my students will become fine pianists. I have already had the privilege of teaching one student who now has her masters in piano and is starting a studio of her own. Think of the ripple effect of the second generation of grand-students! Other students of mine have ultimately become guitar players, singers, or percussionists; and they are thankful for the foundation of musical knowledge that was laid during their years of learning piano.

 

     Another part of my job is to determine the best way for each student to learn music. Some people have an incredible ear and they can play back what they hear without reading a single note. Others are more visual learners and they do not want to be separated from the music on the page. It is important for me to determine how each individual is wired to learn and accommodate this in my teaching style. This is why I take an eclectic approach to teaching. Ultimately it is imperative for every pianist to develop their ear and learn how to read music. A well-rounded approach to teaching equips students to flourish in the areas they are strong and develop all areas properly to become capable musicians. We learn to speak our language and also read it, and since music is the language of the soul we must approach its expression from every angle possible to give voice to the song in each student’s heart.

 

     My desire is to create a learning environment where students feel valued and are given every opportunity to succeed and enjoy the art of music. One of the ways that piano students feel successful is through performance, so I give a variety of opportunities for students to perform in different venues throughout the year. Some students are preparing difficult pieces for competition, while others are working toward earning their trophy at the Federation Festival. Most of my students perform Christmas songs at the Festival of the Trees and throughout nursing homes during the holiday season. They also perform for a judge at the STAC festival, which stands for Student/Teacher Achievement Clinic, where they also take a theory test to ensure that they are staying on track with music theory skills. All of my students perform in two recitals per year. My most popular recital is the Rock Band Recital where students perform with a live band including drums, bass, and electric guitar. I use this recital as an opportunity to teach chord reading and improvisational skills, and give my vocalists a chance to play and sing at the same time. Learning how to play the keyboard or piano in the context of a rock band develops a wide variety of skills while allowing students to play the music they hear everyday, and they have an absolute blast.

 

     I do insist that all of my students learn the basics of piano through classical training and repertoire, but beyond that the sky is the limit. Music is involved in so many different facets of life, from accompanying choirs to leading worship for a church, to playing in a jazz band or even playing solo piano at Von Maur. It is my job to prepare my piano students for whatever opportunity they wish to pursue, and discover the unique musical expression inside them. I feel honored when I am entrusted with this great responsibility. Each time I place a small rock in the hands of another student and watch the beautiful ripples that they create, I am amazed at the potential and gifting that is inside of them. I take great joy in the development and success of my students, and I consider piano teaching a worthy pursuit of the highest calling.

 

 

 

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