Piano with Heather W.

Hi, I'm Heather. I live in a small town called Abingdon in Harford County, MD, It's about 15 minutes north of Baltimore, I live with my husband and two bunnies. My career began as a RN with Bachelor’s degree in Nursing until in 2001. I had a diversion of career from nursing and I absolutely fell in love with the idea of teaching piano . I then decided to go back to school to get Bachelor's training in Piano Performance from Towson University in Maryland. My musical training entailed years of coaching from the masters of Curtis Institute, Julliard and Peabody Conservatory. I have played in over twenty piano recitals, and numerous other occasions such as Weddings, and Funerals. I provide piano lessons in home studio setting as well as virtual lessons online through Zoom Application. I have a Mason and Hamlin grand piano to do the lessons. I also have excellent computerized system to carry out online lessons. On a different note, did you know that children who study a musical instrument learn responsibility and discipline? They gain pride in their accomplishments which in turn makes them confident. They learn to think in a logical manner, and they will perform better in school. Music helps with brain development not only in children but in adults as well. Studies have shown that Music has helped even the elderly people improve from brain degeneration. These are just a few of the benefits children, adults, and elderly could gain through music lessons. My Education: At an early age, I took a great interest in music, so my older sister who is four years older than I taught me what she learned in her piano lessons. She also taught me music theory. Between the age of 12-14 my parents sent me to private piano lessons. My piano teacher at that time told me that I needed to find a new teacher because she had taught me all she knew. After that, I approached a well known Julliard Master in town. He took me on as a student after he heard me play the Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata in C minor. I learned through Arthur Fiddler's comment made in the newspaper that Mr. Chang, my teacher, in his opinion was the best piano teacher in Hawaii. Under Mr. Chang's tutelage, I was exposed to a variety of classical pieces written by famous composers of the 17th to 19th centuries. At the age of 14, I made my first piano recital debut. My piano teacher was impressed with my talent and expressed his wish for me to pursue music and enter into Julliard. But, my parents being immigrants from Korea, did not think it was a good choice of career. So, I went into nursing instead, much to the consternation of my piano teacher. In 2001, I made a career change and found my passion for music revived again. *** Lesson Details *** In my piano studio, besides just learning to actually play the piano, students will engage in flashcard drills, writing work, and other activities to strengthen their overall knowledge of music. This will prepare them well for continued study in piano, for playing other instruments or singing, and for enjoying music in general. In first the lesson the concepts stressed include: 1. Hand position and posture at the piano. 2. Right hand , left hand, and how the fingers are numbered. 3. Direction on the keyboard 4. The pattern of keys on the key board In the first year of piano study, the concepts covered are: 1. Theory: identify steps, skips, and repeats; write and recognize 2nd -5ths intervals; sharp and flat signs; identify key signatures 2. Rhythms: whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and dotted notes. 3. Technique: correct hand position; curved fingers, down and up wrist for phrasing, legato/staccato touch, penta scales; major chords and voicing (balance of hands) 5-finger melodies; single line melodies divided between hands; note-against-note playing, some melody/chord playing. 4. Repertoire: Piano Adventure series for children. Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book Level One for adult beginners. As the students advance into higher degree of learning, Music Theory, Western Music History, and Piano Performance Techniques are further explored and emphasized. *** Studio Equipment *** Gaming computer and webcam for online lessons. Living Room: grand piano, couches and chairs for in studio lessons. *** Specialties *** My specialty is in teaching as both of the careers in Nursing and Music are geared toward methods to effective teaching. I love to take on the challenge of custom tailoring to cater to each student's style of learning. I believe that I have a lot of patience to make lessons fun and enjoyable to my students.