Teaching Philosophy
To be a pianist is to be at once both a poet and an athlete. This challenge to delve into the heart and to master the body in order to express something essential to human life is one of the most rewarding journeys that one can embark on. For each student, this journey is a very personal one that involves crafting an individualized piano training regimen so as to unlock their unique potential.
Cultivating the ability to take on the artistic and technical elements of piano are essential. Artistry is quite elusive, and as my college professor, Hans Boepple, used to say “it can’t be taught, but rather it is drawn out” of a student. Much of the work on one’s artistry has to do with exposure to various musical recordings and performances and developing a sense of one’s style and musical personality. It also has to do with feeling and understanding the emotion within a piece of music and finding ways to communicate that effectively to the listeners.
The technical aspects of piano on the other hand can be addressed with transparent logic. Listening exercises train the ears, some theory and practice techniques aid memory, and much of the rest can be distilled to body-awareness and an exercises to keep the fingers agile. Just as athletes must stay in shape for their sports games, so too must pianists have a sense of how their hands and arms function most effectively and train their muscles with a healthy exercise routine.
My area of expertise lies in Classical Music, but I think that it is invaluable to study, appreciate, and listen to all sorts of music. I am eager to share selections of Jazz, pop, movie and video game soundtrack music while also asking students to bring me recordings or sheet music that they find interesting and inspiring. Musical discovery is an ongoing dialogue, mutually enriching to both the instructor and the piano student.
When it comes to practice, I believe in quality and consistency over quantity. Given the often-frenetic pace of modern life, it is at times unrealistic to manage even 1 to 2 hours a day for practice. Even 30 to 45 minutes of daily practice will make a large impact on one’s progress so long as it is work that is targeted towards one’s weaknesses. As your personal piano trainer, I will help you pinpoint your deficiencies and help you transform them into strengths. Having said that, if one can manage 2 - 4 hours of focused practice each day, then the progress will be exponential.
While I accept young beginners (preferably around 6 or 7 years of age at the youngest), I feel my strengths as a personal piano trainer lie in guiding learners with some fundamental knowledge beyond their current limits and providing them a space where their individual style can emerge. I see the role of a teacher as being a facilitator that aids in the students’ development of body awareness and artistic identity. Together with each student, I will generate a highly personalized plan that helps them achieve their unique aspirations. My goal is to provide each student with tools and inspiration so that their continuing study of music and ability to stay motivated become self-sustaining.