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Hello! I would like to welcome you to this
website. My name is Ann Bengston, and my
piano studio is in my home. I reside at 393
Princess Circle, Versailles, Kentucky.
I would first like to give you some
information about my educational background.
I graduated Cum Laude from Asbury University
in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music
Education. In 1977, I received a Master’s of
Music Education from Eastern Kentucky
University, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
Immediately after obtaining my undergraduate
degree, I accepted a position in Versailles
as an elementary public school music
teacher, seeing 600 students weekly. After
teaching in that position for five years, I
found out that the elementary music program
was going to be eliminated the following
year. At that time, I went into private
piano teaching, which I have been doing for
the past 34 years. I also have received
training in and taught the Kindermusik
program. I enjoyed the experience it gave me
with the preschool child.
I accept beginners as young as six. Very
excellent curriculum is available for this
age. And with parental help, these students
can certainly excel. Through the years, I
have taught pupils with a wide variety of
abilities, from average to very gifted. The
reason that I have accepted anyone who has
the desire to learn is because I believe
every person should have the opportunity to
awaken the music within him or her. It is
also a well-known fact that receiving
training in music will help in many other
areas of learning. I also enjoy teaching
adults. My philosophy is that you are never
too old to start.
I like to teach a wide variety of materials
to keep the lessons interesting. This
includes classical as well as pop, jazz or
sacred music. I do include theory, as well
as technique in my instruction to give a
solid foundation in music fundamentals. In
checking out various music websites, I can
always find great new teaching material. I
feel that it is very important to tailor the
lessons not only to each student’s needs but
also to what they enjoy playing. I believe
this is very important to achieving success.
Another factor in a productive learning
process is to have good communication
between the teacher and parent. As a result,
I can determine if changes need to be made.
If one thing is not working, I am certainly
open to trying something else.
Because I want to continue to discover ways
I can improve my teaching, I attend several
piano workshops during the year, led by very
skilled musicians and composers.
I believe it is very important to have
specific goals to work toward. So, I give
two recitals a year, one in November and
another in May. Trophies and plaques are
presented at the May recital for various
achievements throughout the year. Students
are not forced to perform, but I strongly
encourage it. I also suggest that they play
in church or other venues, like a nursing
home. It is a wonderful experience, giving
them more confidence for the future, as well
as giving enjoyment to others.
Learning to play the piano is both fun and
fulfilling, but it does take a commitment
for both parent and student if there is to
be consistent progress. Like developing any
other skill, there must be practice. I do
not expect everyone to progress at the same
rate. Nor are all students able to put in
the same amount of practice. The important
thing is that there is sufficient practice
for steady improvement. It is obviously
imperative to have either a piano or a good
keyboard.
I do have some openings for the fall of
2011. Since I have mostly school-age
students, I teach from 3 pm to 8 pm Monday-
Friday and also on Saturdays from 9-4.
Otherwise, I do teach some adults and
home-schooled students earlier in the day. I
also teach year-round but usually take a
week’s break before summer and a two-week
before school resumes.
Piano tuition is paid by the month. I do not
deduct for lessons missed but will make up
under certain circumstances. Therefore,
based on my educational background and
teaching experience, my fees for the coming
year are as follows: 40-minute lessons are
$97.00 a month; 50-minute lessons are $121.25 a month; and a 55-minute lessons are
$133.00 a month.
If you would like to contact me, I would be
glad to talk with you. My phone number is
859.533.0124 and my email is
abengston@hotmail.com.
Thank you for your interest! |
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