Songwriting with TD H.

What do Star Wars, Billy Joel and Dallas Holm all have in common? All three inspired me to attempt to play music. Music has played a very significant role in my life since high school, where 'study hall' was my chance to first play by ear on a grand piano. I LOVED playing music and singing! Evidently it 'took.' I sooned gained admission through audition to the University of Tennessee where I studied classical, jazz and vocal music with Dr. Bill Dorn, Dean of Piano, and acclaimed jazz master and author Dr. Jerry Coker. From the World's Fair to the Biltmore House, I have enjoyed performing at these and many other venues. Yet, teaching is my first love musically. Over the years I have found teaching not only sight-reading based methods but chordal and ear training to be essential elements of enhancing my students and student performers. You see, reading sheet music is only a piece of the pie. When you add ear-training, active listening, performance training, multi-genre analysis, accompaniment and collaboration to the educational mix, students begin to understand and LOVE music. Once students love music, there is no stopping them! Students practice and PLAY more, and they get better because of their enhanced practicing. It becomes less work and more PLAY! And passionate students become PERFORMERS! Whether for audiences of one or hundreds, the satisfaction and sense of fulfillment is amazing, and THAT is why I teach. The rewards and excitement are mutual, for the student, for me and their audiences. I have been performing and teaching for over 35 years and love to share my amazing musical experiences (and experience). It could change your approach to music, enhance your appreciation and understanding of music, and quite possibly change your musical life.