MUSIC LESSONS ARE BRAIN FOOD

Playing the piano relieves stress, improves hand-eye coordination, builds creativity, enhances physical and mental health, can improve performance in other areas of life, builds self-awareness and esteem, and, in adult students, can fight loneliness and arthritis.

"I teach many adults in their 70s and 80s, and I begin children as young as age four, with students of every age in between!" ~ Darla

"The most intricately and perfectly coordinated of all voluntary movements in the animal kingdom are those of the human hand and fingers, and perhaps in no other human activity do memory, complex integration and muscular coordination surpass the achievements of the skilled pianist."

~ Homer. W. Smith From Fish to Philosopher

JUST IN CASE YOU ARE CURIOUS...

My teaching style is like my living style - a mix of solid methodology and boisterous creativity. "If there is a right way to do something, learn how to do it the right way." And then if you want to change it up, do it YOUR way!

I teach a combination of classical piano form and what I call Functional Piano. Every student learns five-finger patterns (pentascales), scales, key signatures and proper technique. But, after hearing legions of adults say they had studied piano for many years as a child and can't play a thing anymore, I developed what I call Functional Piano. Functional Piano allows you to sit at any keyboard instrument, without your books, and just make music! You may experience the same joy as you see in a child who has just learned Chopsticks or Heart and Soul. 

You can expect that I will encourage you onward to something you think you cannot do. I will laugh with you during your lessons. I will watch and listen when you tell me the direction you want to go with your skills, and I will help you achieve your goals.

If you are a child, I will give you skills and techniques to allow you to make that choice once you are musically mature enough to do so. I use lesson method books to give you a sound foundation of skills and techniques, and I use masses of supplemental material that I deem appropriate for each student.

Many students play duets - either with me or with another student. There is much to be learned from duet-playing that cannot be learned when playing alone.