I grew up in a very musical family. Mom and dad met in college, sitting next to each other in the orchestra. Dad was a high school band director, mom taught piano lessons from our home. Me becoming a teacher? I think it was inevitable! I remember being at the piano all the time – practicing what I was supposed to, then trying out all the books that mom had for her students. That love of music and learning has stuck with me and shaped much of what I do.
For years, I thought of myself as a player, but not a teacher. I’d loved my experience taking lessons from some terrific teachers, but didn’t see myself picking up that mantle. After being asked multiple times, “Do you teach? I’d love to have my kids take lessons from you!”, I decided to dive in, and much to my surprise…I loved it! (Now, I don’t think I was very good at it at first and if you were one of my earliest students you’d probably agree!) I discovered that I got as much joy out of hearing my students play a piece, master a tricky concept or sing and play a song they loved as when I did the same thing! Now, 30+ years in, I’m still loving it!