Cindi Cl.

Hi, my name is Cindi C., and I have loved music for as long as I can remember! As a child I loved to sing with the radio, and belt out hymns as loud as I could from the backyard. My mom enrolled me in dance class at the age of 3, and I loved dancing and performing! At age 7, a classmate played the piano in our music class one day, and I fell in love with it! I started taking lessons on the piano, and 3 years later started learning how to play the flute. In high school I started teaching piano lessons, and have been doing it on and off for about 30 years. My years of experience have definitely helped me to become a better teacher. I try my best to be very patient and compassionate with my students, and I tailor the lessons to meet their individual needs and goals. I want my students to have fun at their lessons, so I will play music games with them to help them memorize notes on the staff and rhythms. I also try to find out what music they like, and find music or write music that they would enjoy learning to play.

When I was in high school I decided I wanted to major in music at college and began working toward that goal. I won a piano accompaniment scholarship at Northeast Missouri State University ( now called Truman State University), and there I majored in music education. Piano was my main instrument, and flute was my secondary instrument. I played my flute in marching and concert band, accompanied many different soloists on the piano as well as our show choir, and sang in the acapella choir. I have been playing and performing ever since! Now I teach a children's choir at my church, play the flute in our church orchestra, and play in the Gainesville Flute choir. I enjoy teaching both the piano and the flute to young and old alike! I would love to share my joy of music with you!

*** Lesson Details ***
Our lessons will be a time of fun and creative ways to learn to play the music that you love! Our first lesson we will talk about your goals, and then I will recommend music methods based on those goals.

I tailor the lessons to fit each child or adults individual needs and wants. I use flashcards and play games to help you to learn your music facts, and also use a music theory book to help you learn basic music symbols and notes.

By about 6 months, you will be able to play simple pieces, be able to keep a steady beat, and know the notes on both the bass and treble clefs. At this point, I will recommend some easy solo books based on the music you would most like to play. Or if you have some favorite songs you would like to learn, I will write out the melody with a simple chord accompaniment in the left hand for you to play. You will continue to progress through the piano method levels, and we will continue to add different elements to your lessons, such as learning scales and how to play different styles of music.

I want our lessons to be fun and interesting for you, so I will do my best to help you find the music that you will enjoy playing!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the living room, piano

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect my students to have their own instrument or piano/full size keyboard. I can get their music books, but would like to be reimbursed for them. I will bring my own metronome/tuner, and if they don't have their own stand, I will bring one with me.

*** Specialties ***
I have used the Bastien method and Piano Adventures by Nancy and Randall Faber for Piano. I have used Trevor Wye for teaching flute.