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Aleutian Life Piano Studios
Teaching piano in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA
In our Studio
We maintain a consistent core of learning repertoire, improvisation, and general music theory, aka the building blocks of the music we make. We celebrate ear training with note, interval, and melody identification. We enjoy rote learning regularly. We celebrate patterns in music. Patterns are a prominent key to mastery in sight reading and overall learning of repertoire. Understanding scales, key signatures, chord progressions, and the relationships between all of these is key to knowing the personality of each piece. Good technique, posture, phrasing, and interpretation are encouraged in every lesson. We seek to gain a broad brush stroke of the bigger picture. Each student has the potential to become a sensitive, accomplished player of the piano.
My Teaching Philosophy
Children of every age are inherently musical to a certain level. I believe that gentle guidance, enthusiasm, demonstration, and structure are key elements that provide a solid musical foundation.
My musical foundations were based on relationships with melody, expression, improvisation, and collaboration. I believe that “natural talent” is only as valuable as the dedication applied to consistent attendance, the ability to ask for help when needed, regular practice, and the demonstration of skills in lessons and recitals.
I believe that each student has unique qualities and personal characteristics to bring to the table, and it is imperative that the teacher understand and be sensitive to the best ways to communicate and interact with each while maintaining authenticity. What works for one may require a different approach for another.
The fundamental process of building musical skill and mastery is a reward in and of itself. Our young musicians may enjoy public performances, while others are deeply private. Some gravitate toward improvisation and exploring other instruments, while others enjoy standard repertoire on the piano. My goal is to give students enough musical knowledge that they may move forward as music lovers and expressors of the one language that is understood throughout the world, with their unique musical voice.Children of every age are inherently musical to a certain level. I believe that gentle guidance, enthusiasm, demonstration, and structure are key elements that provide a solid musical foundation.
All ages
A respectful, flexible, and inclusive approach to teaching is paramount. While the optimum age for beginners in my studio is age 6, I may accept younger students who have strong parental musical support at home. I have also had success with older beginners 10-13 and enjoy the rewarding process of teaching adult students as well.
Every student has a unique way of looking at the world, and of receiving instruction. Whether introverted or extroverted, whether slow or quick to learn, whether intuitive or analytical, whether fearful or fearless, I strive to encourage every student to feel a sense of “belonging” and respect in my studio.A respectful, flexible, and inclusive approach to teaching is paramount. While the optimum age for beginners in my studio is age 6, I frequently accept younger students who have strong parental musical support at home. I have also had success with older beginners 10-13 and enjoy the rewarding process of teaching adult students as well.
Online individual and group lessons
Contact me for more information
Variety
Variety
We learn the basics of music through music theory, improvisation, repertoire and composition. Each student is an individual and it’s important to make every effort to work with different learning styles.
Adjudications
As of 2022, our Unalaska piano program has had the honor of participating virtually in the National Federation of Music Clubs spring adjudications via our membership with the Kenai Central Peninsula Music Teachers. We are pleased and proud to be included, and our motivated students have thus far consistently received Superior and Excellent ratings
Celebrations
Because live music is precious and rare here, our Autumn and Spring live recitals and Christmas Local TV special recital are events anticipated for by students and community alike. Its not unusual to see us celebrating a theme and decorating our stage in epic style.