Graybeal Piano strives to teach children to “Love, Play, and Share” the piano. Personally, numerous teachers were vital in my growing years to instill a deep love for the piano, a firm foundation on which to play, and opportunity to share music. These deeply seeded experiences and teachings gifted me with inspiration for teaching my own students today.
Piano lessons began for me at the tender age of eight. Through the years, involvement in private lessons, school events, church bands, and recitals enriched my knowledge and skill in music. Upon graduating from high school, the piano teaching journey began with my very first students.
I went on to obtain a B.A. in Music with piano as my primary instrument at Milligan University. This level of music education greatly expanded my musical abilities and deepened my love for the piano. The collegiate level of study in piano as well as choral ensembles, conducting, music theory, ear training and music history greatly prepared me for my calling as a music teacher.
My studio philosophy focuses on helping young musicians learn to “Love, Play and Share” the piano. When a student begins their first piano lesson, creating a love for the instrument that first day is priority. For example, students begin with “The Pecking Rooster” and “The Pecking Hen” (Faber Piano Adventures, Primer Lesson Book, pg. 8-9). We explore how chickens walk, move, and sound. Students proceed to come up with a story about chickens that matches their upward and downward motion across the keyboard. Instantly, they love telling their story on their new favorite instrument.
In addition to this love of the piano, I strive to teach students to play the piano. Music isn’t the ink on the page but rather a variety technique, literacy and creativity. Borrowing from the RCM four pillars of creating a well-rounded musician, I apply Physical Development, Music Literacy, Musicianship, and Artistry throughout each lesson. To increase the physical development, for example, students review their scales with several technical aspects such as staccato, legato, long-short patterns, or alternate rhythms. An example of improving music literacy would be to recognize intervals in their pieces or pointing out the pentascales they see written throughout their repertoire. Musicianship calls for games such as rhythm on a drum or vocal copy cat. Lastly, cultivation artistry is accomplished by creating stories that help imagine a song in more detail and, therefore, allow students to express those ideas musically.
Not only do Graybeal Piano students learn to love the piano and play well, they also have opportunity to share their music. Each semester, Share Weeks allow for students to play a piece with someone outside their home. A Christmas Recital at St. John’s United is scheduled for December and the end of the year Spring Recital is held in April. These opportunities allow for students to understand that music is meant not to keep for ourselves but to enrich the lives of others through the art.
Beginning in the fall of 2025, Musikgarten classes will be added to reach the youngest musicians. The future goal is to begin teaching babies and toddlers music in the very first years of life. By the time the children reach school age, they will be ready to begin piano lessons.
Each student that enters the Graybeal Piano studio is valued and unique. Every one has the ability to become a musician. When students sincerely love their instrument, they are eager to play. When students can accurately and creatively play, they want to share. Graybeal Piano is committed to instilling within all students a foundation to love, play and share the beloved piano.