Studio days are the
best days.
Every story has a beginning...
At 4 years old, my father took me downtown to a Trenton, NJ music store window and asked which instrument I'd like to learn to play.
I chose the biggest one in the window and he had it delivered.
Piano lessons began immediately with Mr. Mills, who started me on a journey and a love of music that created a classically trained pianist. I played the masters – Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven – building an impressive repertoire.
I was immersed in music in our family life - from Carnegie Hall to the Newport Jazz Festival, we attended live events near and far. Music was always playing in our home. I've learned the value of that in my studio practice.
My family moved to Detroit when I was 16 — and I joined a band. That classical repertoire expanded to include jazz fusion, pop, disco, and even ragtime.
We played every wedding reception, grad party – and even a Detroit fashion show – we could get our hands on. We were a hit!
Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Program accepted my audition of Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude, Op. 10, No. 12...
and I chose to attend their summer jazz program.
A broad music education - even a journey - was in the works!
After high school, I studied at Oakland Community College, married, and raised a family, homeschooling for 16 years.
We spent countless hours around the piano together. Music was a history lesson, a holiday celebration, a calming influence. It was worship, an intellectual challenge, and a constant backdrop in our home.
In 2010 a friend asked me to teach her child piano lessons.
I declined – but the friend persisted.
I knew that to “play” the piano is not the same thing as to “teach” piano, so I began a new education and enrolled in a rigorous, collegiate pedagogy program.
That 4-year-old little girl would become a piano teacher.
A certified pedagogue, I took on that first student and dozens more since then. I still continue to learn, practice, and perform just like my students. In 2023 I completed the work to become a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through MTNA.
My students develop a love of music, increase their talent, attend collegiate piano camps, achieve state-level recognition, continue university music study, accompany church worship, and perform both professionally and as a community service.
They make the world a beautiful place.
I'm thankful to be part of their journey!
Annotated Résumé
A few professional accomplishments
Michigan / National Federation of Music Clubs
Executive Board Secretary, Since 2024
Adjudicator, Since 2022
Nationally Certified Teacher of Music
NTMA, 2023
Recipient, MTNA Professional Research Grant
2023
Studio Organizer
"Rockin' the Keys" Community Fundraiser
Since December 2023
Winner, LAPTF Teacher of the Year
2022
Choir Mistress, Saint Innocent Russian Orthodox Choir
Redford, MI
Officially Retired after 15 years
President, Livonia Area Piano Teachers Forum
April 2020 - April 2022
Vice President, LAPTF
May 2017 - April 2020
Accompanist, Adlai Stevenson High School (Livonia, MI)
2014 - 2019
Advanced Conductor Certification, 2018
Patriarch Tikhon Russian-American Music Institute (PaTRAM)
Winner, 2017 Detroit Steinway
Teacher of the Year Award
Certified Piano Teacher, 2014
Schoolcraft College
notable instructors - Mary Siciliano and Dr. Gerardo Ascheri
Piano Allegro Studio, LLC Launch, 2014
Member, National Federation of Music Clubs
Since 2011
Associate of Arts, 2010
Schoolcraft College
Leadership
-
Featured Presenter at LAPTF; next appearance April 2025 on "The Joy of Teaching Adults"
-
Initiating Adult Teacher Recital at Steinway Gallery, May 2022
-
Launching Studio Teacher Performance Matinee, March 2022
-
Monday Adult Student performance class began spring, 2022
Performance Highlights
-
Grosse Point War Memorial
-
Steinway Gallery - Detroit
-
Livonia Mayoral Inauguration Ceremony
-
Tuesday Musicale of Greater Pontiac
