Our Background
We cannot even remember a time when we haven't been playing
the piano. Because our dad works on pianos, there has always been at
least one in our home. Since about the age of six, both of us have made piano playing a serious study, and we both started teaching at about age twelve. We both have
had the great privilege of studying under Mrs. Sara Whitehouse in
Loudon for most of those years, and Amy still continues study under her. Kara has continued her professional
development by studying under classical pianists George Lopez and Paul Dykstra.
We also especially
enjoy performing concerts in various retirement
facilities in Concord such as Granite Ledges, the Birches, and Pleasant
View, as well as playing in weddings
and private & public concerts. Over the years we have been able, through our
dad's generosity and his profession as a piano tuner-technician and rebuilder, to
practice on
several newly restored grand pianos. Currently we practice and give lessons on a Hardman 5'8" grand piano.
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Kara's first piano at age 2
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Our Philosophy
We believe a child can derive great benefit from
taking music lessons. It helps develop a taste for good music; it teaches
discipline and responsibility by adding practice time to his
or her schedule; it enhances his creativity, his confidence, his intellectual
and social skills; and it helps him learn to follow directions. With
all of these benefits, you can be assured his time is being used
wisely.
We cannot stress enough
how important it is for a student to become proficient at
sight-reading, if for no other reason than the satisfaction that it
grants. We try to help our students learn to sight-read by having
them actually do it during the lesson. The more they practice it, the
easier it will become. To some people, however, it may come more
naturally than others, because all music-makers have different talents.
Another thing we like to stress,
especially in the beginning years, is rhythm. To have good rhythm will
help students to interpret the music and to hear the melody very
clearly. It will help in their sight-reading also. We believe the
best time for these skills to be instilled for life is when a child is
young and has not yet developed all of his or her skills.
We would also like for our students
to have a wide repertoire of music that they will be able to draw
from. To have (1) many pieces to work on, (2) a few they would
like to perfect, and (3) some easier and fun pieces, builds a good
repertoire for each week as well as for life.
As for developing creativity, we
have many students now who have a special talent for creativity and
composition. If we see that in one of our students, we will do anything we
can to help them continue down that path.
Currently, we are using the Faber
method books in our teaching, along with other supplemental material
depending
on each individual's needs or desires. These books have been especially
great for children because of the big colorful pictures and large-print
music. The pieces in each book are very melodic, which make them
enjoyable. There are also books from this series that are for the older
beginner on through the intermediate stages. Faber also produces its
own supplemental material for each level that includes popular music,
jazz, rock, classical, ragtime, and other styles. Normally, the amount
of time a student will spend in the method books would be about 4-6
years. After that, we will be creative and think of different ways for
that student to progress, depending on what kind of music that person
likes.
We consider ourselves to be
"classically trained." The music we have been
brought up on has been almost purely classical. Our grandmother was a
professional pianist and organist, and taught classical music lessons
just as we do. Our father was influenced by her and has influenced us in
that direction also. We believe classical music provides the best
foundation for any musical training, and therefore we
stress it in our piano lessons. If students would like something
besides that, we will do the best we can to help them in what they have
chosen.
A true pianist is not merely a
performer with all the techniques, but one who has a real joy for music
and
expresses that joy in his music. We would honestly say this to any
of our piano students: You do not have
to be playing Beethoven sonatas to consider yourself proficient. If you
are making music that you enjoy and that other people enjoy, you are a
"good pianist." You do not have to be performing in concert halls
around the world! But remember that if you want to, you can
always learn more. As one fellow piano teacher has wisely
observed, "Making music is for all, not just the elite and
gifted." How true that is.
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