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 Personal
Experience
I was a very fortunate young child to grow up in
a home where classical music was all around me. If
my mother was not playing the piano herself, she
would always have a recording on of some famous
piano concerto, or the radio would be blaring out
music of all kinds, not just classical! And, as a
child, concert-going became as common to me as doing
my homework or eating a meal. It was my mom that
took me constantly to concerts. Of course, I had no
idea of knowing then that my musical life was
already being formed. It was almost impossible not
to see the passion that my mom felt about music, as
it was almost always written all over her face. I
witnessed either tears or laughter, or something in
between, along with some kind of verbal comment
about how beautiful the music was. It was inevitable
that I would want to start studying the piano, and
so my mom became my first teacher. We started my
piano lessons together at the age of 8 and lasted
all of about 3 months... it just didn't work!! This
was the beginning of my love affair with piano,
music and what later would become a lifetime of
teaching.
Teaching Experience
I have had the pleasure of teaching piano, music
theory, ear training and music history for 40 years.
My students have ranged in age from 4 to adults. On
the younger side, I was quite fortunate to have had
the opportunity to create a music program for
pre-school children in the 1980s when my own
children were attending pre-school. My husband and I
could not afford tuition for a summer camp, and the
school's director, knowing that I was a pianist,
asked if I would be interested in a barter
situation. This began a summer of intense study and
research for me, which resulted in the development
of a popular group pre-school music program. During
this period, along with my private teaching studio,
I became a music specialist at Temple Judea
Pre-School for several years. It was an invaluable
experience, which afforded me a deeper perspective
into working with children of this age level on a
one-to-one basis in my piano studio.
Although I am a "classically" trained pianist, I
have found over the years that it is of vital
importance that students learn music from all
different genres and styles. My goal with all
students is to give them a well rounded foundation
in note reading, rhythmic precision, theory,
musicality, music history and above all, a sense of
joy and happiness through music study. Popular
music, and pieces written in a "jazz" style most
often present far more complex rhythmic figures for
students to learn. I have found these styles to be
particularly helpful for students to learn to count
with more confidence and accuracy. Many of these
styles of music can be found in collections written
by Pedagogical Composers, in a variety of "method
books," as well as in teaching some of the older
jazz "standards" from the past.
As for the four periods of music history,
Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary
periods, it is my goal to teach students the vast
stylistic differences from one period to the next in
phrasing, articulation, pedaling and dynamics.
Performance and
Professional Organizations
Performance opportunities are essential for my
students. They provide not only necessary
motivational goals, but also the chance for each
student to develop poise, concentraton, memory
skills and focus. Two formal recitals are prepared
each year, as well as informal performance workshops
and playing for retirement homes. For those who are
highly motivated, competitions are offered that are
sponsored by the Music Teachers' Association of
California, Conejo Valley Branch. I have been an
active member of this organization since 1976, and
also am a member of the California Association of
Professional Music Teachers since 1998. Both
organizations help provide extra opportunities for
students to perform. MTAC and CAPMT also afford
teachers the opportunity to continue to grow and
improve their craft of teaching piano. Yearly
conventions and workshops sponsored by local
branches of MTAC are available.
It was important to me that I accept leadership
positions in both organizations, MTAC and CAPMT.
Through the late 70s, 80s and 90s, I served MTAC in
the following positions: President for two terms in
the North Valley Branch, First and Second VP,
recording secretary and director. In 1994, I was
asked to chair a state program called the Adult
Seminar, which encouraged performing teachers, like
myself, to have the opportunity to perform at the
State Convention.
I have chaired and organized several programs
including the Young Artist Guild Concert, the
Southern California Junior Bach Festival,
Certificate of Merit program, and Contemporary Music
Festivals. As for CAPMT, I served two years as State
chair for the highly esteemed and competitive Honors
Audition Program, and served on the state board for
the same two years.
My students have been consistently chosen on a
yearly basis to perform in the following venues:
- MTAC State Convention in student recitals
- North and West San Fernando Valley and
Conejo Branch Contemporary Festivals
- Southern California Junior Bach Festivals
- CAPMT State Bartok and Contemporary Festival
- PTSA 31st District Scholarship Auditions
- World Pedagogy Conference in Las Vegas,
Nevada.
Adjudicating Experience
Having had the experience of being a judge
myself, I have often come away being totally
reinvigorated by hearing some of the most talented
students whose performances were stellar and awe
inspiring. Or, I have come away from a judging
experience having a renewed sense of appreciation
for how my own students play. My adjudicating
experiences include:
Serving as a Certificate of Merit Evaluator for
17 years
- West Los Angeles Branch Concerto Competition
- Hollywood Branch Winterfest
- Santa Barbara Branch Contemporary Festival
- Santa Clarita Branch Romantic Festival
- Hacienda Heights Branch Winter Competition
Former Students
I've had the pleasure of nurturing many of my
students from an early age through to the end of
high school, to then see them go on to college to
pursue piano or music degrees on both the
undergraduate and the graduate levels. One of my
former students, Sarah Iker, will be going on to
pursue a Doctoral Degree in Music Theory and Music
History. Even for those that go on to pursue other
majors, I have found out that they are still getting
over to the practice rooms or studying piano with a
faculty member at the college they are attending.
This, too, has given me a great deal of pride.
Personal Performance and
Education
I am a firm believer in the fact that learning
and growing are lifetime endeavors! I've continued
my own piano study, practice and performing
throughout my life. Being engaged in all three areas
has afforded me the opportunity to grow tremendously
as a teacher. For 14 years I performed in the
Compinsky Master Class here in the San Fernendo
Valley. Each time I have played for a different
Master teacher. The experience of playing in this
kind of venue gave me the chance not only to hear a
diverse range of interpretations, but also the
opportunity to play for my peers and hear them play
as well. In 2003, I was chosen to participate in a
program called the Master Classes of St. Malo. In
the small tourist town in the South of France, I had
the distinct honor to study on a daily basis with
Dr. Bill Wellborn of the San Fransisco Conservatory
and Adam Wibrowski of the Paris Conservatory. I also
performed in three separate recitals that were given
for the local residents. Other venues I've performed
solo recitals in have been for the Los Altos and the
San Fernando North Valley Branches of MTAC and Los
Angeles Valley College Afternoon Concert Series, as
well as solo recitals performing evening prorgams at
the same college. In 2002, after one of my solo
programs, I went into the recording studio to make a
CD (An Afternoon of Music) of the same program.
I received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from
California State University Sacramento in 1975 and
I've done graduate work at both California State
University Los Angeles and California State
University Northridge. My teachers have included
Carol Rosenberger, Daneil Pollack, Dr. Susan Svrcvek
and Jim McCormick.
When not teaching or practicing, I enjoy going to
concerts, spending time with my husband, Terry,
movies, exercising, talking to and spending time
with my two grown sons and hanging out with friends
and my dog, Junior!
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