Maricopa Music Lessons

Karen has had training in many instruments, she has had the most training in voice.

As an adult, Karen has sung extensively in church choirs, women's ensembles, and has been a featured vocal soloist at church services, Christian retreats, and women's ministry events. She was extensively involved in vocal music at Grace Community Christian Church, where she was the singer and guitarist leading and teaching songs to women Bible study groups, preschoolers at vacation Bible school, and Kids Praise Club for elementary aged children. For Kids Praise Club, she also taught the children the choreography for the performances. Presently, Karen is a Choir Director for the K-6 Choristers group at First Presbyterian Church (FPC) in Mesa, AZ., and also taught singing and choreography to the children at VBS at FPC. Karen also had a main roles as Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man in April of 2013, and Mrs. Bucket in Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in April, 2014, The Jailer's Daughter in Wind in the Willows, and Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins, Mrs. Darling and a Pirate in Peter Pan, performed by the First Players at FPC. Additionally. Karen is presently a substitute elementary school and music teacher at Grace Christian Academy, Bethany Christian School, and teaches General Music K-12 at Young Disciples Christian Academy part-time.

During Karen's college career, she was a voice major at Mesa Community College (MCC) and Grand Canyon University (GCU). At MCC, she performed in the Sun Valley Chorale (SVC) and Cadence women vocal jazz ensemble. SVC performed classical songs at the Mesa Arts Center, and Cadence performed jazz songs for MCC events. Karen was also involved in musical theater at MCC. Karen was an opera singer at Night at the Opera, and a Broadway singer at Broadway Bound, both at MCC. At GCU, Karen has been in the President Singers, Canyon Singers, Canyon Chorale, and Union Choirs. Canyon Singers were the honor students and ambassadors for GCU who traveled locally and out of state to recruit students for GCU. As a voice major, Karen has had 9 semesters (4 ½ years) of private voice instruction under the tuteladge of Dr. Cathy Hauan at MCC, and Dr. Sheila Corley at GCU. Karen has three degrees from GCU: A Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a Minor in Music, a Master's of Education in Reading and Curriculum, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Music is Karens passion and she desires to teach it to all ages and stages of people. Music is the universal language and creates joy and healing in the soul.

Presently, Karen owns her own home music studio called Starshine School of Music in which she teaches piano, voice, and guitar. Karen also teaches Take Lessons music students (an online music student placement company) piano, voice, and guitar in her home. Karen is also an active Mary Kay Consultant.

*** Lesson Details ***
Karen's teaching style is very patient, nurturing, encouraging, and fun-loving. Karen is a teacher who sets loving but firm boundaries and guidelines. She implements structure and organization, but is not overly strict and harsh. She believes in encouraging, loving, and imparting knowledge with her students so that they will maximize their potentiality and their inner musical stars will shine.
Karen teaches piano, voice, guitar, and music theory for beginning through intermediate (for voice she teaches beginning through advanced). The curriculum that Karen uses is varied according to the student's personality and learning level. She uses her vast knowledge and information from her education and past experiences, and also Alfred Essentials of Music Theory, Alfred's Instructional books, Hal Leonard Pro-vocal Series, Faber Piano Adventures for all levels, and other resources. She also uses an assignment lesson plan book so that each student will know her clear objectives, what is expected of them and so that communication is established with the student's parents if the student is under 18. Additionally, Karen uses incentives, a point system, and rewards for self-discipline, consistent practicing, musical accomplishment and growth, and a good attitude.
Karen's students learn and perform remarkably well because of her very loving, organized, and comprehensive teaching style. They progress in amazing ways on a weekly and monthly basis. They look forward to coming to their lessons because they are treated with such respect and care. They know that Karen has such a passion and love for music, which is so contagious and is passed on to them. Therefore, these music lessons are enjoyable and enriching for the teacher and student alike.

*** I have a current Fingerprint Clearance Card

*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitar, Kimball piano, CD and cassette players, extensive music literature, Demo and Karaoke CD's.

*** Specialties ***
I have been classically trained as a voice major at college level. However, I have had so much musical experience (singing, and playing guitar and piano) in varied genres including rock and roll, Broadway and theatrical music, country western, Christian contemporary, folk songs, and children's music. I am very familiar with all kinds of music.

d perform with ease.

Performance anxiety can be overcome. Using the tools that Ginni has developed, students relax, focus and enjoy their performing experience.

Reading music is important for pianists and singers. Ginni helps beginning through advanced students to more fully understand written music and quickly sight read it.

It’s important to perform songs that you enjoy. Students help choose supplemental songs that they love whether that be contemporary pop, traditional classical, Broadway, jazz, country or any other genre that they would like to learn.

Ginni’s piano and singing students increase their range, power, agility, control, confidence and expressiveness through technical exercises, scales, arpeggios, applying technique and lots of encouragement! Students grow the more that they share their talents. Students of Ginni’s are invited to participate in recitals, the Arizona Study Program and are guided through auditions, solo and ensemble performances.

Ginni uses the latest technology to help her students, whether by finding a song online for a student to listen to and learn from, transposing a piece on keyboard, improving the sound of an iphone song by plugging it into a speaker system or by using a mic to learn microphone technique.

A century old stand up piano may not be cutting edge technology but, Ginni’s sounds beautiful and her students enjoy playing it. Music is such a gift. So is participating in and watching the growth and progression of others.

Ginni asks her students to remember three things:
Try, Relax and Have Fun!

s to play and/or sing outside of lessons, but I will never make my students feel anything but proud of their accomplishments as a musician.
My piano students will learn note reading, proper fingering, posture and technique, music theory, chord theory, ear training, and performance.
My voice students will learn proper posture, breathing, vocal technique and alignment. They will also learn how to sing in many different styles, or if they wish we can focus on specific genre of music.
Within 3-6 months my students will have a much greater understanding of music, and will have developed a passion for playing their instrument or singing.

*** Specialties ***
I use many different method books when teaching piano and am most comfortable with the Bastien series and Alfreds. When teaching voice I draw on many different methods and am comfortable teaching classical, pop, musical theater, and jazz.

ate with a student will allow them to fearlessly open up to their potentials.

What was your most challenging moment learning an instrument?:

In the winter months, my body feels tight and cold, and sometimes this causes tension during playing or singing. That's why to me it's important to work in a warm environment, do proper daily stretching, and have a healthy lifestyle (good diet, exercise, proper sleep).

What is your biggest musical achievement?:

Composing a fugue.

Favorite thing about teaching?:

I love sharing my passion for music with other human beings.

What is a piece of advice you would like to share with anyone learning music?:

If at first you don't succeed, try try again. Music is meant to be fun, enjoy it!

Personal music projects: i.e. bands, groups, shows, recording, etc. (if any):

In 2015, I composed the music for my sister's walk down the aisle (wedding piece). Additional compositions underway, member of American Composer's Forum, member of Contemplum (composition club at Temple), participant in the Oticons Film Score Contest.

BIO:

About Anabelle...

Anabelle has been involved with sounds and music from an early age. Her greatest forte is her hearing. When she was young, people thought she might become a voice actor, because her skill at replicating voices was quite apparent. Still, she loved to sing and had been regularly involved in choirs. She dabbled in violin in the fifth grade, but she didn't feel a "click." Without despairing, she tried her luck with piano and felt instantly in sync. She knew this was the right instrument for her. During her piano studies, she continued to work on her voice. In addition, she studied the workings of a sound board, and was head sound chief at her high school. At the college level, she began to pursue composition, while still continuing with piano and vocal studies. She holds an A.A. with a music focus (piano performance), a B.M. in music theory, and a M.M in music education from Boston University. She has been teaching music since 2006 and has worked with a wide range of ages and various group sizes. Her joy is working with people in a field that she is passionate about. Her interests include music (jazz, classical, opera, new age), ballet, composition, yoga, meditation, going to the gym, hiking and camping, scuba-diving, sailing,Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, cooking and baking, film-editing, sound engineering, poetry, reading good books, building websites, and watching documentaries.

riculum, rather I'll work with them to develop a curriculum that is interesting to them, but also educational.

or fun, I'm the teacher to help you achieve those goals!

I also have a desired background in life coaching and health and wellness. Understanding how powerful the mind and body is, can be extremely rewarding. Meditation, stretching, diet, mental stability and control, confidence, fulfillment, etc.. is by far my favorite subject to help individuals with.

in operas, musicals, choirs, praise and worship. I also write and compose music and I also teach piano and guitar. My teaching style is very relaxing, but also to the point. I will not waist your time or money on useless information or exercises that will not help you to become a better musician. As a music student you will make many mistakes, but that is not a bad thing. Everything takes time to learn and learning music is no different.

I have never had to make myself stay patient with any student. Patience is what it takes to become the best musician you can be. I will always give 100% of my ability to help you achieve your goals.

ional aspirations.

I strive to provide a friendly, comfortable learning environment my students can thrive in. I won't pressure you to play in recitals in order to increase my studio size, but I will greatly encourage you to play an active role in customizing your own individual curriculum. As soon as you have the skills to do so, you should be learning to play the music you love.

Regardless of what your musical goals are, I would love to help you learn the skills you need to reach them. Thank you so much for your time.