Piano with Kathy S.

About Me: I am an experienced classically trained Pianist who has been playing since the 3rd grade. I enjoy all styles of music and love sharing that enjoyment with my students. I have certification from the State of Missouri that I am proficient in educating beginning Piano students and have continued to expand my knowledge through my participation with local musicians’ groups. I am also working on expanding my instrumental abilities through perfecting my percussion skills and planning to learn guitar. Experience: I have taught students for over 30 years and have seen many changes in both student’s preferences and the style of Music and instruments preferred. I am comfortable with both traditional pianos and organs and modern electronic keyboards. I have given lessons in my home, my students’ home and retail studios. Methods & Philosophy: I use Piano Adventures as the basic course guide. I have found it the most productive and enjoyable for my students. I us a minimum of the Lesson and Theory book. I add the other books that accompany each level based on the particular students needs and interests. I believe that a good grounding in Theory is essential as a student who becomes proficient in sight reading, no matter how well he/she plays by ear, will find that the doors for lifetime musical fulfillment with be much wider. However, with a student who has already had some lessons I will be happy to continue with any method that the student is currently using. Lesson Style: I also believe that Piano Lessons should be fun. Since I generally teach one on one, lessons can be tailored to each student and I add supplementary material to the Piano course as soon as possible based on the student’s progress and interests. I am willing to add supplementary music in most any genre from current radio hits, to Pop Standards and soundtracks, as well as Holiday Music based on the student’s culture. There is no proper pace as long as the student is willing to practice and is interested in learning. I am always surprised and happy when a student “gets” the language of music and really starts to express himself/herself through the instrument and I always find that my students teach me as much as I teach them