Lesson Details
Bonnie teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Females 5+ and males 5 to 14
- Teaching since:
- February 2014
Bonnie started piano at age 4, clarinet by third grade, and oboe in the 8th grade. In High School, she played oboe, bagpipes, and saxophone in the jazz band winning the Best Jazz Soloist Award. She also won the Young Artist Competition and played with the Tampa Symphony. While attending USF, she continued to perform with the Tampa Symphony and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She then attended the University of Michigan and received her Master of Music degree and performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and many chamber groups in the area.
In 2003, she created the Pop Oboe series with 4 CDs, a member of the Recording Academy and had her cds on the Grammy Nomination list.
Now in the Orlando area, she is a freelance musician and has performed at Universal, The Museum of Art, The Winter Park Art Festival,and many more.
In 2012, she created a piano curriculum that uses animals to teach note reading and piano. Creating this curriculum makes learning music FUN!
All along the way, she was teaching private music students, Kindermusik and also Homeschooling her three children for 10 years.
Using several curriculum for phonics, and reading, while Homeschooling, is why she is offering this service through Take Lessons.
*** Lesson Details ***
FUN and More FUN can be expected with the background of Kindermusik and Homeschooling! Bonnie has learned that students best respond to learning if the environment is FUN and engaging. Through homeschooling and her years of teaching background, your students can expect LOTS of PATIENCE because Bonnie relates to each student and how they learn best on an individual level. Every student has a different way they learn, and Bonnie quickly tunes in to their way of learning.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Oboe, Recorder,Bagpipes (chanter), Flute, Keyboard
Student should have their own instrument
*** Travel Equipment ***
Keyboard for Piano
Student should have their own instrument
*** Specialties ***
Pop, Rock, Classical
Experience
Second Oboe
Sep 1976 - May 1979Education
Master of Music
Sep 1979 - Aug 1980Master Degree in Music
Aug 1979 - May 1980Languages
english
english
Awards
Grammy Nomination List
Feb 2010Affiliations
Music Teachers National Association
Feb 2015The MTNA was founded in 1876 with the goal of advancing the value of music study and music-making to society while supporting the careers and professionalism of teachers of music. With nearly 22,000 members in 50 states—and more than 500 local affiliates—the MTNA is the preeminent source for music teacher support, where members embody like-minded values and commitment to their students, colleagues and society as a whole, while reaping the rewards of collaboration, continuity and connection throughout the lifetime of their careers.
+ Read MorePhotos & Videos
37 Reviews
Write a ReviewBonnie did a great job with my daughter. She had just taken up the oboe during the school year and we wanted to keep up her skills during the summer. Bonnie was great helping my daughter learn additional oboe techniques that will help her when she returns to school. I was very impressed with Takelessons and the convenience of doing lessons in our own home. Bonnie was very flexible with our summer schedule too.
+ Read MoreLearning to play the piano with Bonnie has been great so far. I like the classical pieces she made for practice. Looking forward for more.
My 6 y/o daughter just started studying piano this summer 2017 for 30 minutes/session a week and I am so pleased for her progress. She can now play simple songs like happy bday, twinkle twinkle, jingle bells, lullaby, hornpipe, swan lake and she's currently learning " Largo" from the theme song of Little Einstein. Everyday, she's getting better with her finger coordination and ability to read notes. Miss Bonnie has been using animals with the piano notes for my beginner daughter to easily read piano notes. She's very good in encouraging, engaging and teaching beginners to learn how to play the piano! I highly recommend her to all piano enthusiasts out there:) Thank you Ms. Bonnie for patiently teaching Danielle!
+ Read MoreBonnie was very friendly , professional and ensconced ouraging to my child!
My daughter loves Miss Bonnie! She is encouraging and fun.
Bonnie was wonderfully patient with technology difficulties and wonderfully instructive with my daughter. Great start!
Ms. Bonnie works with both my daughters, Madison (8) and Parys (11). I find her self-developed curriculum to be engaging and simple enough for a novice learner. She is patient and kind also, which works nicely with our parenting approach. Although she is remote, you can feel her presence right within your home.
+ Read MoreWonderful first lesson. She made it personalized to my abilities and lack of oboe. We used a recorder instead and i learned much today. Cannot wait until next lesson
My kids really enjoy Bonnie! She is very patient and she can flow with my kids. My kids really love Bonnie's unique piano approach and has taken off with really getting piano for the first time. Highly recommend.
Very helpful! Thank you for working with us when we were running late. I learned a great deal and look forward to working with Bonnie in the future.
She was nice and understanding.
Wonderful! Really made our six year old son comfortable!
Highly recommend Bonnie. We have had over 50 lessons with Bonnie over the last 2.25 year period. My girls started with her when they were just 4 years old. Her program works. She created a fantastic and fun program with color coded animals that is great for all ages. I have friends who have never had a music lesson in their life and they can pick up her books and start playing right away. Her piano books also make great gifts for small children.
Taking lessons at her house
She has a lovely waiting room with comfortable chairs and toys. If you're Florida acclimated, bring a sweater!
Taking lessons online:
Though they are incredibly convenient, online lessons do not work well with my girls.
If I could give her 6 stars I would! Bonnie was a great teacher with an amazing personality. I liked how Bonnie truly cares for her students and cares about teaching in a very professional manager. Best teacher ever!
Bonnie is great. A wonderful teacher for both me and my daughter.
She is very patient with my 3 year old son. She is very encouraging and engages him when he needs redirection with his short attentions span. I could not have asked for a better instructor. I appreciate everything she is doing for us.
She is really nice and makes you feel really comfortable! Going great so far!
I was a little hesitant about online piano lessons, but Bonnie is a great instructor and has made Kamille feel very comfortable as if she is right there with her. Kamille is enjoying the lessons and I am very happy also.
Bonnie is an amazing musician, teacher and person. She connected instantly with my daughter and now with my son. Her method of teaching is very creative, yet precise and engages children on every level. She motivates them with her personality and fast learning style. They are encouraged by how quickly they have learned to play notes, read music and "real" songs. Highly recommend!
+ Read MoreBest instructor EVER
My 5-year-old daughter's first lesson with Bonnie was professional and kid friendly. I can't wait to see how she progresses with Bonnie's instruction!
Bonnie was very patient, and her lesson plan was kid-friendly. The versatility of her schedule allowed us to work with her on Saturdays, and having a recurring schedule was a great help. I definitely recommend her!
Bonnie is a really patience and fun instructor. She is also very approachable, warm and lets you talk about your musical preference and will gear the lessons toward the goals that you wanted to achieve. I am having a good time learning with her because she makes things a lot easier :)
+ Read MoreMy 10 y/o daughter is taking online piano lessons with Bonnie and we couldn't be more pleased! Prior to Bonnie, she has taken lessons off and on since she was 5 and never really got into them. She dreaded practicing, and didn't really like her teacher. Bonnie is so sweet and patient with her. Every little step forward gets praise from Bonnie. My daughter is learning all kids of new stuff. She practices almost everyday, and without me telling her to. I was worried about online lessons for piano, but it doesn't seem to interfere with the teaching/learning process. Glad to have found TakeLessons and more importantly, Bonnie!
+ Read MoreShe was very patient with my 8 year old son. Very kind and punctual.
Bonnie has had a major impact on my daughters’ music studies since we were introduced July 2012. With the guidance of a dedicated music professional and patient teachings, my daughter has not only learned to play the oboe and piano, my daughter has made personal accomplishments beyond our expectation, and has brought out a sense of self-confidence within her.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for playing an important roll in teaching our daughter a skill that will truly last a lifetime.
So far LOVING the lessons! :D
These few days being taught how to play the piano has been an amazing and extremely fun experience. My teacher is one of the greatest ones out there! She's very joyous and hilarious but when she has work to do she does it and she's very well focused on it as well. Having an super duper trooper looper awesome time! :D
-Sincerely, Genesis
enthusiastic
My son Arnav Mohan is enjoying his classes with Mrs. Bonnie. He is looking forward to next class each time. He feels Mrs. Bonnie makes it simple to learn faster and always rewarding the students. Thank you Mrs. Bonnie. I truly appreciate your enthusiasm and your teaching methods which helps students to learn and also helps to develop the interest in Piano.
She is very patient and good with my son, i dont know any thing about music but i like her very much because my son love to be there to learn , he always have good time.
Great with kids!
Bonnie has remarkable patients and allows her students the freedom to talk about the things they like and show her some of the things they find fun. She also is able to redirect them back to the lesson at hand. She does this in a way where the student wants to do what she says.She is an excellent teacher and I would highly recommend her for students of a young age (my son will soon be 5yrs. old).
Very warm and caring!
Bonnie is exceptional with our 4 year old son. We were hesitant to start him in lessons due to his age, but he has learned so much from Bonnie. She has a real knack of providing positive encouragement to motivate our son and she is extremely patient. He enjoys coming to lessons and I'm thankful for such a great introduction to music! More importantly than even learning piano, he is gaining math, discipline, music theory and focus skills. Bonnie is extremely warm, fun, gentle and caring. THANKS BONNIE!
WIth only a few lessons, my son has already learned a ton of new concepts that he hadn't learned in the past 2 years. Bonnie is very supportive and friendly!
She is so caring and great with kids! She is a great teacher!
The best teacher ever
The first words my daughter said about Bonnie were "The best teacher ever".
MOM
TJ is doing well & really enjoys Bonnie's lessons.
great with small children.my 5years old daughter loves Bonnie!
Piano lessons with Bonnie
My son enjoys his piano lessons with Bonnie. She is very reliable.