I have been a piano teacher since 1993. I was a traditional piano teacher for almost 10 years, that is, one who uses music reading as a way of teaching someone to play the piano. In 2002, I began to teach an Australian-developed piano program called SIMPLY MUSIC, which I believe to be a breakthrough in music education! In all my years of teaching, I have never seen a program as awesome and inspiring as this! SIMPLY MUSIC offers the most broad-based music education of any piano program I know. The quantity and quality of songs students can learn in a short time far surpasses that of traditional lessons.

SIMPLY MUSIC begins as a 'playing-based' program. What this means is that the reading process is delayed until a student can play about thirty to forty songs from memory in a wide variety of styles. This usually takes about twelve to eighteen months of lessons. The repertoire includes blues/jazz, classical, contemporary and accompaniment styles. The songs are taught directly onto the keys in a way that is very natural and easy to understand.

Because of this hands-on approach, students are able to play a wide variety of advanced-sounding music in a relatively short period of time. Some students are able to play one or two songs after only one lesson! Furthermore, the songs in the SIMPLY MUSIC program are of a much higher quality than those found in beginning method books! The harmonies and rhythms are more sophisticated and complex, which makes learning and playing these songs so much more satisfying than playing typical beginner's songs. Yet the music progresses so naturally that learning becomes fun and easy! Students do not experience the frustration of having to learn notes, rhythm, dynamics, fingering and phrasing at the same time as they are learning what to play! We also do a lot of singing as many of the songs in the SIMPLY MUSIC program have words, and singing helps to train the ear.

After building a repertoire of thirty to forty songs and having acquired a basic knowledge of chords in all the different keys, students have a strong foundation to begin the more formal aspects of music education, such as reading and writing music. Students will more than make up for the time they have waited to begin music reading. Because of the unique way that reading is taught, and because students already have the ability to play the piano, they will begin to read music much more quickly and at a higher level than in traditional lessons. They will also be more independent learners, and will have acquired a new way of learning which they can apply to learning more advanced music.

You can learn more about the SIMPLY MUSIC program and philosophy at the website: www.simplymusic.com or at www.handstogetherpiano.com

Anyone who is interested in the SIMPLY MUSIC program can come to my piano studio for a free 30-minute informational session. This way, you can see the materials, listen to the music and have a much better understand of how this program works.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Music from the University of Pittsburgh and took many graduate courses at Temple University. I have studied piano with concert artist Sheila Paige, who is an expert in teaching the proper body mechanics of playing piano. I continuously participate in educational programs through the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). I am currently a student of Julia Vieland.

I received national certification through the MTNA in 1999 and was president of my local chapter for four years. Some of my students participate in non-competitive performance activities through this organization. I also hold informal performance classes during the year to give students the opportunity to play for each other in a relaxing environment. This helps prepare them for a large family recital in June with about one hundred family members and friends in the audience.

Piano is the joy of my life. I feel fortunate to be able to earn a living teaching piano and being able to pass on the gift of music to my students.

Cheryl Goresko, NCTM (Nationally Certified Teacher of Music)

Associate Simply Music Teacher