"There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself." ~ Johann Sebastian Bach

I have been playing piano since I was 5 years old. My mother broke both of her wrists when I was in kindergarten, and her chiropractor said she would regain full use of her wrists if she took piano. So, she purchased a piano, and we both took lessons. She stopped once her wrists healed, however, my journey had only just begun. I took lessons on and off until the age of 10 when I committed to lessons until I turned 18 and joined the Navy. I studied with Miss Betty Lou Best for $4 an hour in South Buffalo growing up. She bred Afghan Hounds and owned a Monkey! I think all of the children in the neighborhood went to her for lessons. 

I moved on to study at the Villa Maria Institute of Music throughout high school and stopped when I enlisted in the Navy. Ultimately, I returned to study the piano at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, VA and on to acquire my degree in music from San Diego State University.  I am also a fully credentialed Special Education teacher as well (with a Master's Degree in Education) - so, I am well versed in strategies to work with students of all abilities. I have been teaching private piano lessons in my home studio for nearly 15 years in the East Chula Vista area. I continue to challenge myself by taking regular lessons with fantastic mentors, as all teachers should strive to improve their craft.

Jason encouraged me to once again study piano after nearly 15 years of not playing anything other than an occasional read through of easy repertoire. Who knew it would lead to my life long goal of formally studying music and achieving my dreams of a music degree?

TEACHING IS MY JOY!

I am a full time teacher at Mater Dei Catholic High School, and come home and continue to teach... you might say, teaching is my passion. But in reality, creating lifelong learners who hunger for knowledge - and actively seek it - is my passion!

Students are exposed to a variety of music styles with solid foundations in posture, technique, note reading, theory, history while connecting the lessons to contemporary music. I believe a student should not only be able to read music and play with proper technique, but also be able to understand what they are playing - harmonically, structurally and emotionally, so they are better able to make musical decisions as they play. This allows them to become more in tune with their instrument and delivery of their performance. 

My Studio

Students take lesson on a Baldwin L, 6'3" grand piano. There is a seating area for parents to quietly observe. Recently added to the studio is a Yamaha Clavinova YSP-150 which opens new possibilities for engaging lessons and practice time for siblings while one is in lesson.

I have a pet friendly home - in case of allergies.

Please let me know if you have any concerns about the four footed music lovers in the house. They are very excited to see students, but I have measures in place to isolate them if need be.