Wendy P. TakeLessons Instructor piano, mostly classical, some jazz, theory Monowood Drive, Folsom, CA

I have been teaching piano lessons for 20 years and love it!  I receive great satisfaction as I help my students grow and develop musically.  Most of the students I teach have been referrals from current or previous students.

I began playing the piano at age seven and from that time my life has been filled with music in every capacity: at home, school, church and in the community.  I played the oboe and cello when I was young and have sung in numerous choirs and small choral groups.  I have directed choirs and performed for very large congregations and audiences.  I have held music leadership positions in my church.  I have been a church organist and have played professionally at weddings and funerals.

I am also a composer and arranger.  I have composed many works that have been used mostly in a church setting.   Some of my music has been professionally recorded and recently a piece I composed has been produced on a CD with several artists and is being sold in stores.

I have been employed at two different private schools, Sacramento Waldorf School, Fairs Oaks, CA and Marble Valley School, El Dorado Hills, CA using my skills as a piano teacher and an accompanist.

I have completed 64 units of college with a high GPA mostly at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah and a few classes at American River College, Sacramento, CA.  I am currently enrolled at American River College taking music classes to be used towards a BA of music degree at California State University Sacramento.  I have a goal to also receive a masters and doctorate degree within the next eight years.

I teach lessons in my home.  I have a beautiful six foot Yamaha grand piano that the student will learn on.  My students usually come to the first lesson nervous and before the end of the lesson, they are comfortable and relaxed.  I am a very patient person who likes to give praise and will never scold or demean a person.  Even if the student is really struggling, he will never feel shamed.  At the same time I will push my students to excel in a gentle way.  I sometimes assign music that the student feels he will not be able to handle and I will tell the student that I think he is capable and to just give it a try.  After trying the student usually is surprised at himself that he truly has an ability to accomplish something difficult!  I usually can assess very well by the end of the second lesson how hard I will be able to push a student because every student is different!  Most of my students are able to pass through two levels within their first year of lessons.  I have several young advanced students that have been taking piano lessons from me for only five years.  There is a key to their success though, they practice! 

I always have my students do some sort of technical warm-up and I'm big on scales, major and minor!  I also teach theory and for the first few years of lessons, the student will have a theory writing book that will be part of their weekly assignment.  I also assign several pieces per week for the student to work on, usually a variety of classical & jazz.  I use several different series of beginner books, Alfred, Bastien, John Thompson and The Music Tree.  I also love Martha Mier's arrangements.  As the students advance they will be playing a variety of music from the great classical composers.

My students know from the beginning they are expected to practice daily, even if they are short on time, 15 minutes is better than nothing.  I have found that the students who are the regular practicers are either adults or students who have parents who make sure the practicing happens.  I ask that the student records the days practiced so I can check at each lesson. 

I hold a recital once a year in May to give each of my students an opportunity to perform.  This is an exciting day and my students always love the recitals!  They especially love the variety of treats afterwards!

I don't specialize in a particular method.
I do teach from beginning to advanced.
I have students do scales, different repertoire, and theory.

piano, mostly classical, some jazz, theory