Why I Teach Piano
The ability to play the piano has been the greatest gift I have ever received. Playing music has helped me express joy and love at the highest highs of my life and process grief and sadness at the lowest lows. The piano has been a companion, a resource, a toy, and even a confidante of mine ever since childhood. I teach because I want others to be able to access that type of relationship with the instrument as well.
I further feel a duty to welcome students into the educational lineages I am proudest to hail from, including a jazz lineage connected to Oscar Peterson, a classical lineage connected to Martin Katz (who wrote the book on Collaborative Piano), and a folk lineage deep in my Southeast Alaskan roots. There is profound knowledge in these lineages, and I invite others to join them.
Teaching Philosophy
My approach to teaching is guided by these tenets:
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Learning should be fun!
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Students' cultures, backgrounds, and interests are assets to their learning.
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You can't learn music without practicing.
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You can't learn music without performing.
Read more about these philosophies and more below.
Pricing & Policies
I offer both in-person and virtual lessons depending on your proximity to my home base in Hamilton, NY. My standard length is 45-minute lessons, but I also offer 30-minute lessons to young kids and virtual students. For advanced pianists, 60-minute lessons are also an option.
Prices are negotiable for in-person youth students! I don't want cost to be a barrier to any kids taking lessons with me. My baseline rates reflect what I have determined is the value of the specialized labor and associated expenses I put into providing high-quality lessons, and I also believe in making my teaching available and accessible to students regardless of their financial upbringing. If you can afford the baseline, please pay it. If you need financial support to afford lessons, please speak to me and we can work something out.
Read my full studio policies, including my baseline rates, below.