I started violin lessons at age 4 with a high school student. Those lessons didn’t amount to much and I eventually started piano lessons with a different high school student around age 6. At age 10 I was accepted to Turku Musicschool and to the studio Tarmo Huovinen, one of the most respected piano pedagogues in Finland at the time.While studying with Huovinen in Turku Musicschool, I received comprehensive training in ear training and solfège. However, I struggled to practice and quit at age 15. I loved, music, I loved piano and I hated to practice. My love for music won over at age 20 when I bought my own piano, started taking piano lesson, and music theory lesson again., while working in insurance business. I left work and studied music full time for a year. I then moved to Chicago and studied piano pedagogy with Dr. Ludmila Lazar at Rosevelt University. Through live’s twists and turns I graduated from SJSU with a BA degree in piano. I studied Philosophy for my MA, but I was teaching piano through all this time. I married and had children and was teaching until my second child was born, only to continue when my youngest was about two years old. That was 19 years ago. I raised 3 musical children, one whom became a violinist and a conductor, my middle child with special needs learned to play the cello and love Taylor Swift, and my youngest studying all they can fit in their schedule, while continuing to play chamber music on violin and viola and take college level piano lessons, as well as substitute at my piano studio when in the area.
I love teaching and very much enjoy working with all my unique students. My lessons are structured, yet geared toward meeting each student’s individual needs. I believe in comprehensive music education and my lessons include ear training, sight reading, technique, theory, and music history. I believe in building a solid musical foundation starting with the first lessons. During each lesson we follow a basic routine, while adjusting it as needed. I provide printed lesson notes for the students and emails for parents as needed. I use games to help students learn musical concepts and I hold group lessons to facilitate friendships and camaraderie, while learning with and from one another.
I am a member of California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT). I continue to learn and grow as a teacher and a musician. I am a firm believer of lifelong learning. Although I enjoy teaching students of all ages, the majority of my students are children. My studio is child centered and cozy. I appreciate students of all abilities. I have raised a child with special needs myself. I have a deep appreciation for various learning styles and I always try my best to find a way to reach each student.