Marilyn S.

Music Job History:
My music teaching/playing background includes: private piano instructor at home studio, elementary music teacher in Lewisville ISD and Odessa Public Schools, piano accompanist for middle school/high school band Solo Contests, and former church accompanist for Methodist churches. I accompany both Lakeview and Griffin choirs throughout the school year.
Was Elementary Principal at Owen Elementary, The Colony, Lewisville ISD
Personal Information:
Have 3 children, now ages 25, 26, and 28
Love gardening, reading, playing piano, ringing handbells.

I believe performing is an important part of music learning, so I schedule at least 2 recitals each year. Some of my adults prefer not to perform and that is okay too. I am a member of Carrollton Music Teachers Association and through them there are festival opportunities 4 times a year for those students who are ready to play for a judge!. The more you perform, the easier it gets!

*** Lesson Details ***
I believe that most people would say that they wish they could play the piano. Taking piano lessons keeps you practicing and working on improving your skills. I can always help a student to play better in some aspect of their playing. I break down skills into as small a step as needed so the student can understand what needs to be done. Reading music is similar to reading words, so sometimes the problem is not with the fingers being able to play, but what the student is seeing. I can take whatever series you are currently playing out of and move forward with you from that series.
Rhythm can often be a problem when playing and that usually is just a matter of getting that rhythm into your vocabulary and really hearing how it goes.
Fingering is another area that can be the reason that a passage is not working for you and I can help you figure those areas out. I always try to correct and help you improve by using humor and positive reinforcement. I have several books that work on technique in fun, short exercises that will apply to any songs or literature that you are working on.
We will spend some of every lesson sight reading (looking at music that you will practice at home). Improving your ability to read music at sight will make your piano playing more enjoyable for you.

As with any lessons, the more you practice, the more progress and fun you will have! Every student needs a spiral notebook that we will use to keep track of your lessons. I have found it best if I buy the books you need and then you pay me for the books - that keeps you from having to search at a music store for the correct books and I make sure you have the correct book/levels. If you prefer to find the books yourself, that will be fine also. I am flexible and want your piano playing years to be lifelong for you.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Yamaha Grand Piano, Baldwin Acrosonic Studio Piano, Suzuki 88 key electronic keyboard,

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers
marked as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25 lessons and
have received the highest feedback rating from students.
Piano, Handbells, Music Theory, Sight reading
I can teach from any series, have tended to specialize more with beginning and intermediate students. I have taught from almost every series over the years.
Right now I have students in Faber & Faber, Bastien, John Thompson, Schaum, David Carr Glover, Hal Leonard, FJH, Dozen a Day, and Alfred series.
I think that breaking skills down into small steps works well for mastery and understanding. I like to expand my students' appreciation of different types of music, from classical to pop, looking for music that is at the student's playing level.