The Philosophy

Katie Rudolph has been a professional musician for 30 years. Twice voted "Simply the Best Musician" and twice voted "Reader's Choice" in Harrisburg Magazine's annual poll, she performs both solo and with her duo (with bassist Jim Miller) and trio (bassist Jim Miller and saxophonist Tom Strohman) and quartet (bassist Jim Miller, saxophonist Tom Strohman and drummer Dave Lazorcik). She has been pianist in the Circular Dining Room at the Hotel Hershey for 15 years.

Students of all levels and ages are welcome. Various materials are used to suit the needs of each student, including Christopher Norton's "Microjazz" series, Faber and Faber's graded lesson materials, Berklee School of Music theory and scale workbooks, Hanon studies and a variety of classical, jazz and popular pieces. There is an emphasis on theory and students are also encouraged to learn how to read lead sheets (melody line with chord symbols) in addition to written music. School-aged students are asked to join the school jazz band and also may participate in the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz Youth Band, led by Ronald Waters.

Students receive assignment sheets at each lesson, which take place once a week for 50 minutes. Between lessons students are encouraged to telephone with questions about lesson materials. The teacher and student work together: the teacher's role is to facilitate the act of learning, the student's is to do the necessary practice.