Teaching Philosophy

As both a piano teacher and a parent, I bring a unique perspective to the relationships I build with my students and their families. I understand the trust it takes to invite a teacher into your child’s learning journey, and I approach that responsibility with care, empathy, and respect. I strive to create a supportive environment where students feel safe to grow and parents feel confident in the process. Clear communication, consistency, and mutual respect form the foundation of my studio, allowing each student to thrive both musically and personally.

My teaching is rooted in a deep commitment to musicianship. Becoming a musician involves far more than learning notes on a page, it requires the development of listening skills, technical fluency, expressive nuance, historical awareness, and personal artistry. I guide my students in cultivating all of these facets, helping them understand music as a language they can interpret, shape, and ultimately make their own.

I believe that lasting musical growth comes from within, and I strive to help each student discover their own intrinsic motivation for making music. Rather than relying solely on external rewards or pressure, I guide students toward finding personal meaning, enjoyment, and curiosity in their playing. This might look like connecting repertoire to their interests, giving them a sense of choice, or helping them experience the satisfaction of progress through their own effort. When students begin to value music for themselves, their engagement deepens, their confidence grows, and their learning becomes more sustainable and fulfilling.

I believe that discipline and precision are essential in building any meaningful skill. Mastery at the piano is developed through consistent, focused effort and attention to detail. I encourage my students to embrace the process of refinement and memorization. To slow down, listen carefully, and approach challenges with patience and persistence. Through this work, students not only develop strong technical foundations, but also cultivate resilience, focus, and a deep sense of accomplishment.

A central goal of my teaching is to foster independence. I want my students to leave each lesson not just with practice assignments, but with the tools and confidence to practice thoughtfully and problem solve on their own. I teach strategies for effective practice, critical listening, and self reflection so that students become active participants in their own growth. Over time, this independence empowers them to take ownership of their musical journey and continue learning far beyond the lesson itself.

Professional Bio

I have been immersed in music since childhood, with early experiences in piano and guitar lessons, choir, and musical theater shaping my lifelong love of music. I went on to study voice at Central Michigan University School of Music, earning a Bachelor of Science in Music in 2008.

After college, I worked as a professional musician throughout the Northeast. Touring with a bluegrass band as a guitarist and vocalist, recording independent albums, teaching private lessons in piano, voice, and guitar, and directing a church choir. These experiences gave me a well rounded understanding of what it means to truly live music, and they continue to shape how I teach today.

In 2011, I moved to Austin and continued performing before transitioning fully into teaching in 2016. Since then, I have built and maintained a thriving independent piano studio, working closely with students and families of all ages and experience levels. As both a teacher and a parent, I understand the importance of finding the right fit and creating a positive, supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged, capable, and excited to grow.

In 2024, I returned to school to deepen my understanding of how students learn. I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Music in Human Learning at the University of Texas Butler School of Music, with a focus in piano pedagogy, music education research, law and policy in arts education, and human learning and behavior. I bring this knowledge into every lesson, combining real-world experience with research-based teaching practices to help students build strong skills, confidence, and a lifelong connection to music.