Vera Clarke Shadi

"The goal of music is to touch your heart, whether you are writing music or making it. We all know at least one song which has touched us. The goal of learning piano is to be able to express your feelings through the instrument -- in other words, to touch your own heart using the piano.

The piano is a versatile instrument. You can make it sound grand, happy, sad, percussive, and everything in between. The piano is also the most basic of all the instruments -- the one that everyone is proud to know something about.

Knowing something about how to play the piano, how to read music and other fundamentals, helps build self-confidence. But that self-confidence is only gained when you learn correct playing techniques. And if you learn them right the first time, you will reach your goal sooner.

I teach only beginners. Being a well-trained classical musician-turned-elementary schoolteacher, now retired, I try to make the piano lesson fun as well as informative. From ages 6 to 106 -- welcome!"

Background:

• B.A., music history, Univ. of CA, Berkeley
• M.A., music theory & composition, Univ. of Chicago
• NY State teaching credential, obtained through the Eastman School of Music, Rochester NY
• CA State teaching credential - general elementary
• Private lessons: piano (13 years), violin, voice, organ
• Accompanist, Univ. Chorus, Univ. of CA, Berkeley
• Co-conductor, Univ. Chorus, Univ. of Chicago
• Occasional professional performances of compositions
• 5 published pieces
• Beginning piano teaching
• Created and directed 2 chamber orchestras