Leslie H.

General Info

• Certified Music Teacher

  Certified Music Teacher

  Our rigorous hiring process requires a completed application; an interview with our professional recruiting specialists; personal and professional reference checks; and annual criminal background checks for the duration of each teacher's employment with us.

  
• Background Check Complete

  Criminal Background Check

  In order to ensure the safety of our students, all teachers undergo a thorough criminal background check, which includes: Social Security number trace, multi-state criminal search and a nationwide sex offender registry search.

  
• Levels: Beginner to Advanced

• In-Home Lessons: No
• In-Studio Lessons: Yes
• Ages: 5 & up

Subjects Taught

Piano

Education

Westminster College - music education - 1969-1973 (Bachelor's degree received)
Eastern Washington University - reading education - 1978-1981 (Master's degree received)
Westminster C0llege - elementary education - 1996-1997 (Degree received)

Specialties

I use an eclectic,"whatever works" approach to piano study, rather than honing in on any one particular methodology (Suzuki or whatever). I try to tailor choices of materials to the individual student..Materials and approaches to instruction need to be structured and sequential, age appropriate, interesting and enjoyable. My own piano background is pretty much classical, but I have students who are working on pieces by Billy Joel, Scott Joplin, Jon Schmidt, and Broadway tunes as well.

Lesson Details

Students who study piano with me can expect a teacher who is friendly, positive, and totally loves what she is doing.I'm a pretty mellow, not particularly up-tight, extremely flexible person to work with.
I offer one major advantage over the typical neighborhood piano teacher--I have years of experience teaching music to children of all ages, and I know what makes them tick! In order to keep young students on board I use all kinds of extrinsic motivational strategies-the chance to earn ... "music bucks" and go shopping in the music chest, stickers, points, certificates, whatever works. These are, of course,always combined with intrinsic motivators-lots and lots of praise, positive feedback, and encouragement, good work notes home etc. Each lesson includes a few minutes of warm-up and review (it's a great confidence builder to play pieces that you play well) as well as new material and skill development. I also try to leave a few minutes for a fun conclusion-a musical game,musical flash cards, improvising and making up melodies at the keyboard for example. With younger students I like to use practice tracking sheets and assignment notebooks to keep parents actively involved.Also,because I am flexible in my approach to music education, I never hesitate to try something else if what we're doing isn't working.
Older beginners and adult students often want to focus on a particular style,and often they have a piece in mind that they would like to learn. That's wonderful! It is super important that students actually LIKE the pieces they are learning. My main hope is that you will let me know what you're looking for in your piano instruction, and together we will go for it!

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About

I don't know for certain when I decided that I really, really wanted to play the piano. I do remember hearing about what a wonderful pianist my mother had been at one time. The problem was that we didn't have a piano! When I was about 9, I began going with my friends to THEIR piano lessons, and my mother finally bought a beautiful baby grand piano. I was immediately in love with the piano, and that same piano now brings wonderful memories as well as beautiful music to my own home. I am ... certain that the increased confidence and self-esteem that resulted from my increasing skill at the piano,plus the 'can do' attitude that develops from mastering something that you love to do through practice and hard work, have proven valuable to me ever since. Now I have the opportunity to play an integral part in providing these same positive experiences to others, and I am truly excited!

. By the time I began studying at Westminster College, I knew that I wanted to do something with music, piano in particular. During my undergraduate years I was very involved in the music program, singing in numerous college choirs, performing in musical productions,etc. but my real passion continued to be the piano. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education, music and English. Shortly after, I moved to Spokane, Washington, where my found my dream job as an Elementary Music Specialist for the public schools.This position involved working with elementary age children in a program designed to increase musical skill as well as foster and encourage a life-long love of music in general. The techniques and ideas of Carl Orff- a renowned music educator who uses rhythm, movement, playing instruments, improvisation and games, as well as singing- were at the core of this highly successful music program. I also had responsibility for several 5th and 6th grade performing choirs.which added to my enjoyment of the job!
After many years as a music specialist in Spokane, I returned "back home" to Salt Lake City. Since then I have had different positions in public and private schools, all involving working with either individual students or small groups or classroom teaching. Currently I am teaching part time for the Park City School District.
I have been teaching private piano for the past 2 years, and now feel really ready and anxious to add to this enjoyment by adding more students. I simply cannot think of a better way to combine my two major passions- music and education!

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