I am a recent graduate of Ohio University's Performance and Pedagogy master's program and an active piano teacher in Columbus, Ohio. I have studied piano for over twelve years and have experience in solo performance, piano four-hands, and accompanying for soloists as well as large ensembles. I teach private lessons to students of all ages and levels from beginner to early advanced, using a variety of instructional strategies based upon the needs of each individual. With my background in business and marketing, I have successfully planned and hosted recitals for my studio, preparing each of my students to perform solo repertoire.

          As a music teacher, I strive to encourage artistic creativity and expression through joyful practice and performance. Though I certainly want my students to learn and develop self-discipline, I also want my students to enjoy coming to lessons, practicing, and performing. I believe that one-on-one lessons are special because as the teacher, I am able to take an individualized approach that caters to the needs and desires of each student. From teaching classical, to Disney, to video game music, I aim to give students the opportunity to play music that they know and enjoy, while also learning musical concepts and proper piano technique. I strive to inspire creativity by building upon the student’s unique strengths – composing, playing by ear, improvising, playing duets, etc. – while challenging them to step outside of their comfort zone. I ultimately want my students to want to play and perform and I believe that giving students some freedom of expression within the lesson and the practice room can accomplish that.

​          Another goal of mine as a music teacher is to aid in the personal and professional development of young people through discipline and structure. I believe that one of the most efficient ways to instill discipline in my students is to provide an end goal for them to work toward – a recital or a performance. With each lesson, I strive to inspire growth in my students by offering a balance of constructive criticism and praise that sparks a desire to do better. It is important to me that my students understand that work ethic, specifically efficient practice, is essential for a successful lesson and/or performance. When my students reach their end goal, it is not only extremely rewarding to me, seeing how my instruction has helped them grow, but also eye-opening for them when they understand how much their hard work paid off. My goal is to be not just a piano teacher, but also a mentor who guides students to develop social skills, commitment, perseverance, time management, patience, focus, and self-confidence which will benefit them in many other aspects of their lives. 

          Finally, as a music teacher, I strive to invoke passion and appreciation for music through meaningful instruction and insight. It is important to me that I teach not just on a superficial level, but that I delve deeper into music making, educating my students in music history, literature, and theory. I believe that the more I teach my students about the intricate details of their pieces, the more they are able to admire and involve themselves in the music, and therefore, become better musicians and performers. One of the most rewarding aspects of music teaching for me is simply witnessing young people get excited about playing, creating, and listening to music. I believe that a large part of my students’ attitude toward playing piano is based upon the enthusiasm that I convey as the teacher. I strive to express to my students how awesome music is and how special and fulfilling it is to be able to learn and play piano. It is always my hope that my passion sparks a devotion and fondness to music in each of my students that will last them a lifetime.