My Teaching Approach

My experience as a performer, teacher, and listener has deepened my awe of music’s ability to transform the mind and spirit. Backed by neuroscience, I’ve seen how music fosters cognitive development, emotional sensitivity, and inner strength.

Beyond artistic expression, music teaches essential life skills: discipline, patience, critical thinking, delayed gratification, and appreciation for beauty. My teaching prioritizes nurturing these attributes to enrich both the mind and the musical experience.

My philosophy is shaped by a distinguished pedagogical lineage tracing back to Beethoven. I studied at leading conservatories and was mentored by renowned pianists Norman Krieger, Leonard Shure and Evelyne Brancart, whose musical influences guide my teaching.

I take a holistic approach that nurtures each student’s physical, emotional, technical, and intellectual core. Lessons focus on five key areas: technique, repertoire, theory, sight-reading, and ear training. Whether a student is pursuing artistry or other ambitions, I tailor instruction to help them realize their full potential through music.

Resume

EDUCATION

University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA

Master of Music in Piano Performance — Scholarship Student 

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

Graduate Studies in Piano Performance — Scholarship Student 

New England Conservatory, Boston, MA

Graduate Studies in Piano Performance

Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY

Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance — Scholarship Student

Juilliard School of Music, New York, NY

Pre-College Division Diploma — Five-Year Scholarship

TRAINING

Principal Teachers in Piano

Leonard Shure · Leonard Eisner · Evelyne Brancart · Barry Snyder · Norman Krieger

Master Class Teachers

Claude Franck · György Sebők · Jerome Lowenthal · Paul Schenly · Patricia Zander

Chamber Music Coaches

  • Vocalists: Marcia Baldwin, Jan DeGaetani, Jane Hardester, John Maloy, Tom Paul

  • String Players: Cleveland Quartet, Charles Castleman, Peter Marsh, Sylvia Rosenberg, Zvi Zeitlin, Heidi Castleman, Donald McInnes, Larry Neuman, Michael Tree, Steven Doane, Bernard Greenhouse

  • Wind Players: Stanley Hasty, Charles Neidich, Bonita Boyd, Richard Killmer, Charles Geyer

CLASS & GROUP TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Santa Monica College, Santa Monica, CA

  • Director of Applied Program

  • Producer: Student Recitals at The Broad Stage

  • Seminar Instructor: Performance, Practice & Teaching

  • Piano Master Class Instructor

  • Instructor: Performance Class for Vocalists & Instrumentalists

  • Class Piano Instructor

Private Studio, Los Angeles, CA

  • Theory Workshop Instructor

  • Master Class Instructor

  • Recital Producer

Junior Chamber Music (JCM), Los Angeles, CA

  • Chamber Music Coach

MTAC, West Los Angeles, CA

  • Seminar Instructor

  • Manager, Theory Exam Room (Certificate of Merit Evaluations)

Montville Township High School, NJ

  • Flute Sectional Instructor

  • Choir Sectional Instructor

PERFORMANCE, PRACTICE & READINESS

Piano instructor in NJ, NY, MA, PA, Beijing (China), and Los Angeles.

  • Emphasis on Technique, Repertoire, Theory, Ear Training, and Sight Reading

  • Taught students ages 5–75, beginner through advanced

  • Prepared students for Certificate of Merit, auditions, competitions

Institutions Taught At:

  • Eastman School of Music

  • New England Conservatory

  • Santa Monica College

  • South Bay Conservatory

  • Musical Beginnings Music Academy

ADJUDICATING EXPERIENCE

  • MTAC Robert Turner Concerto Competition

  • Peninsula Symphony Concerto Competition

  • Cerritos Symphony Concerto Competition

COLLABORATE EXPERIENCE

Tre Colore Trio – Founding pianist of ongoing chamber ensemble

Santa Monica College – Vocal & instrumental classes, auditions, performances

Cerritos College – Vocal & instrumental classes, performances

USC – Accompanist Piano

El Camino College – Full-time accompanist for classes, recitals, juries, musical productions

Eastman School of Music – Studio Pianist for recitals

Curtis Institute of Music – Studio of Orlando Cole

Montville High School – Chorus & musical productions

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE (SOLO & COLLABORATIVE)

Venues include:

Carnegie Hall · Lincoln Center (Alice Tully & Paul Halls) · Eastman Theatre · Jordan Hall ·

Beijing Conservatory · Banff Centre · Santa Monica College Broad & Edye Stages ·

Music Academy of the West · Round Top Festival · USC · El Camino College ·

Torrance Civic Center · Music in the Mountains · Maestro Foundation · LA Philharmonic Events · and more

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Pi Kappa Lambda – National Music Honor Society

  • Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC)

  • Music Teachers National Association (MTNA

OTHER MUSICAL ACTIVITIES

  • Juilliard Pre-College: Vocalist in madrigal group (4 years)

  • Pink Flamingos Rock Band: Transcriber, coach, keyboardist, vocalist

CURRENT ROLES

  • Pianist, Recording Artist, Teacher

  • Pianist of the Glendale Philharmonic Trio

  • Master Class & Lecture Presenter

  • Performance Coach for Vocalists & Instrumentalists

  • Private & Group Piano Instructor

Contact us

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