I have had the most sucess using the Alfred Method Books, where I was introduced to this method at the Univ. of TX, where I had a pedagogy class with one of the authors, Amanda Vick Lethco. She was a terrific teacher, and I have used the Alfred Method Books ever since, lately adding Alfred's Premier Piano Course, their most recent approach, to methods I have been using, along with Faber and Hal Leonard methods. I do try to work with the method books my students bring me if they are transfer students from other teachers. In addition to standard piano methods, I also teach music theory and history, and offer my students the yearly option of taking the WSMTA yearly theory tests, if they are interested. In addition to what my students study on the piano, I give them weekly theory assignments as homework, which I go over with them at the beginning of each lesson. (Theory assignments are optional for adult students, although recommended). I also offer beginning composition lessons to interested students.

I try to instill a love of learning in my students, and am interested in well rounded musicians who have good technique, good reading and memorizing skills, and are excited about the piano. In addition to classical, I have also taught ragtime, boogie-woogie, broadway, folk songs, hymns and contemporary sacred music. I try to teach each student according their own tastes, but classical is usually a part of each lesson. Before Washington State Music Teachers Association adjudications, student concerts, or competitions, I also hold group performance classes. At these classes, my students meet and get to know one another, practice performing, and have also watched videos on the history of the piano, a carnegie hall concert, and programs on interpretive style, and technique.

I have taught piano in Seattle, in Austin, and currently, in Kent. I enjoy teaching all ages, and levels of student. The youngest age I have taught has been 4, and the oldest, 86. I also have had students ranging from those who struggle with autism, and other learning problems, through the very talented, bright, and quick learning individual. One of my former students has been doing very well in competitions and masterclasses.

My teaching schedule:
Monday- Friday, mornings, afternoons, and evenings until 7:00. Contact me for availability.
Makeup lessons by appointment, either during the week, or on Saturday.
Group performance classes are held on Saturdays at 2 P.M.