Lesson Details
Piano
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Karen teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 5+ and special needs
- Teaching since:
- December 2010
I have a BA in Psychology, and an MA in Parapsychology. I studied Architecture for 3 years, and Music Education for two years. I was a National Merit Semifinalist in High School for good SAT scores, and in the Honors Society in High School and College. I play piano, percussion, flute, cello, guitar, bass, cornet and glockenspiel, and teach music lessons. I enjoy playing duets with my students, sharing the fun of making music with them. I do macrame', draw and paint, and am certified as a Reiki Master. I always loved school, and enjoy helping other people to learn. My Dad is my role model, since he was a calm, patient tutor for me - I try to live up to his example in my own teaching work.
I like to work with my students in a learning partnership, letting them work at their own pace with my encouragement and support.
I love to teach, and can help you love to learn!
*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are usually 30 or 60 minutes, once a week.
I can be flexible, if your needs differ.
I can also arrange more evening times at 5:00 or later,
if the times on my availability list don't work for you.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room with
Yamaha Clavinova CVP-65
adjustable touch-sensitive electronic piano:
Advanced Wave Memory tone generator with 53 voices,
32-note polyphony, Dual and Split play modes,
24 styles of orchestrated rhythm, bass,
and chord accompaniments, 10-track performance memory, Disk Orchestra playback capability,
MIDI compatibility and functions,
Fender Squier Bullet electric guitar
customized by Smooth Creations,
with a Line 6 amp,
a Keith Urban acoustic guitar,
an Epiphone Les Paul Special bass guitar,
a tone drum, and assorted percussion instruments,
SoundTech 4150 four-channel mixer,
with recording capability for all instruments
using ACID Music Studio,
and comfortable seating for parents.
*** Travel Equipment ***
Piano students should have a touch-sensitive piano/keyboard in their home.
All other music students should either own or rent their instrument.
Everyone should bring their assignment notebook and their lesson books to lessons.
*** Specialties ***
I play Rock, Blues, Jazz and Classical styles.
The Faber method books are my favorite for piano,
Hal Leonard for guitar.
I have the most tutoring experience with Math and Statistics.
Experience
Music Teacher and Tutor
Jun 2012 - PresentI have worked as a Tutor for NextGuru where I've taught College Level Math and Statistics.
Music Teacher
Feb 2012 - PresentI've been a traveling music teacher with Portland's Musicality Network where I've had mainly piano students, and some guitarists.
Teaching Assistant
Jun 2011 - Jul 2011Rock Band and Piano/Strings Summer Camps
Assisted three teachers in preparing eight groups of students for performances for friends and family.
Education
M. A.
Sep 1986 - Jun 1988B. A.
Sep 1983 - Jun 1986no degree earned
Sep 1975 - Jun 1978no degree earned
Sep 1973 - Jun 1975Certifications
National Career Readiness Certification
Jun 2011Platinum in Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information
Gold in Locating Information
Awards
Heart and Soul Award
Jan 2011Photos & Videos
10 Reviews
Write a ReviewMy daughter 7yrs took lessons from Karen for 8 months. She was so patient and kind. My girl loved her and her teaching style.
I would have given 5 stars if she had got a real piano, not an electronic one.
Karen is not only a gifted teacher but an excellent listener and has an extremely easy going personality. This was my third lesson and I already "feel the love."
My son was thrilled with Karen and so was I...she will be a great fit!
Karen was a wonderful teacher to my 6 year old! She was very calm, attentive and flexible with my daughter's learning needs. She was able to start my daughter off on the right foot with love of piano, having her play short songs and duets, learn notes and reading music. We moved but are grateful to have had her as a teacher.
+ Read MoreWe are so happy with the lessons we've received from Karen! My son is 15 and is on the Autistic spectrum, so finding someone who is patient and willing to teach a student who is not always clear with his communication could have been a real challenge. Karen has been a wonderful instructor and my son looks forward to every lesson he gets with her. His progress has been impressive and we are grateful that Karen has helped to foster the love for piano that he has now.
+ Read MoreShe's very patient, positive, and encouraging with my daughter. Who gets to jam with the professional guitarist at the end of each lesson.
I have known Karen for more than two decades and in that time she has shown integrity and dedication consistently in all her endeavors. Karen is an accomplished, trained musician who gains great satisfaction in sharing her gift with her students. Karen has great patience even for the most challenging students. Sincerely Gary P.
+ Read MoreIf you are looking for a piano teacher for your child, we highly recommend Karen for her musical skills and, moreover, her ability to engage people of all ages and tendencies. We have three children, two boys (15 and 12) and one 8 year old girl, with completely different personalities (and levels of motivation) that took lessons with Karen. She expertly handled their quirks and abilities and managed to find what would interest each. The confidence boost they were given by having the opportunity to perform their pieces was a huge bonus. From a paying and coordinating parent's perspective, you could not find a more reasonably priced and yet utterly accommodating private instructor. She's awesome!
+ Read MoreKaren was great for learning basic techniques of the upright bass.
My son just started taking lessons with Karen W. He is very shy but he has enjoyed the lessons so far. It is hard to work with teenagers but I think Karen knows how.
I like her style and she tries to go at the student pace allowing them to be challenged by pieces that they find interesting.
Angelica Nacrelli