Piano with Beverly M.

My greatest desire is that I will instill in each of my students the love I have for making music. I consider it to be the language of the heart, and nothing equals the moment you realize you are hearing your thoughts and feelings in the music you are playing. What a priceless gift to give yourself! Perhaps you've decided to become a professional musician, or maybe you've decided to follow a dream you've had for a lifetime, to play piano for your own enjoyment---whatever your goal is, I can lead you there! It's NEVER too late to follow a dream! I am a classically-trained pianist, and received music education in Paraguay, South America, and at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Waxahachie, TX. I have also excelled at playing many styles by ear. I am fortunate to also love teaching, which allows me the incredible privilege of sharing my musical knowledge and my love for playing with anyone who wants to join me on this amazing journey. I have 35+ years of experience teaching piano--from numerous four-year-olds to an eighty-six-year-old student. In addition to teaching students to play by note, I enjoy teaching students to play by ear. Together, we will explore many different types of music--Easy-listening, Country, Southern Gospel, Black Gospel, Blues, Latin, Contemporary, Classical, etc. I am qualified to teach piano by note from beginner through early advanced (all ages); by ear, beginner through very advanced. I also have experience teaching special needs students, students with physical handicaps, and students with physical limitations (Ex: Autism, delayed learning, ADD, ADHD, Multiple Sclerosis, arthritis, etc.), and feel that anyone can learn to play. We may need to slow the pace or change the technique, but I haven't found a child or an adult who couldn't learn to play piano, if they really have the desire to do so. In many cases, I've seen students who struggle in other areas of life excel in the area of music. I have written more than 200 songs (mostly Gospel and some easy listening), with numerous ones having been recorded by various artists. Several have been arranged and published for church choirs. Having lived in South America as a child, I am bilingual and qualified to give piano lessons in English or in Spanish. I would be honored to share my knowledge and love of music with you. Give yourself a priceless gift that will last a lifetime! *** Lesson Details *** Our sessions will be laid back and comfortable, yet challenging. Humor will often find its way into our sessions. I am patient with my students, while helping them master new songs or techniques. I understand that every student learns in a way that is unique to them, and I will do my best to discover each student's learning method. I do not expect perfection, but I do strive for excellence. I believe every student should work to be the best pianist they can possibly be, while having fun doing so! I believe it is important for students to have a strong foundation of learning to read notes--so much so, that I will not teach a young student to play by ear, who is is not willing to learn to play by note as well. Adults who have never had piano lessons are encouraged to learn to play by note as well, and will be given the opportunity to learn to play by ear if they desire. Adults who have a good knowledge of reading music will truly enjoy learning to play many styles by ear, and learning how to improvise (adding extra elements to written music). Each lesson will conclude with an assignment of songs given to work on throughout the week--usually 2-3 songs for 30-minute lessons, and 4-5 songs for an hour-long lesson. These will be the same songs we have worked on during the lesson time, so you will go home with the knowledge you need to master each song. Music theory sheets and technique exercises will also be included in the assignments. Daily practice is strongly urged, in order for the student to progress. If a student doesn't practice, they won't progress. If they don't progress, they will become bored. It's a very short path from boredom to quitting. That's a tragedy that can very easily be avoided, by making a commitment to practice 5-6 days a week. I do require a minimum of 4 days of practice each week in order to retain a student on my teaching schedule. The amount of recommended daily practice minutes varies according to age and level of skill. Students will showcase what they have learned at a yearly recital, the second Saturday in December. I also encourage students to share their talent in community and school talent shows, at church, at family gatherings, and for friends. In just a few weeks you'll be playing songs that others will recognize! *** Studio Equipment *** Lessons are taught in the fellowship hall of our church, First Assembly of God, on a studio piano. There is comfortable seating just steps away in the foyer of the church, and padded chairs set up around tables in the fellowship hall for parents who wish to stay in the room and observe a lesson. The yearly piano recital is conducted in the sanctuary of the church, and students will enjoy playing my 5'9" grand piano for the recital. ***Supplies*** I purchase the necessary lesson books, notebook, and binder, and the student reimburses me. Every student needs to have a piano or keyboard, plenty of good lighting, and a reasonably quiet room in which to practice each day. *** Specialties *** Classical, Country Gospel, Floyd Cramer Country, Black Gospel, Easy Listening, Easy Rock, Contemporary Christian, Latin, Pop. By note and by ear.