Virginia T
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Piano
Styles: Classical
Virginia T
5.0
(2)
Instruments: Piano
Styles:
Classical
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 3-80
MM, Bowling Green State University, Piano Performance and Pedagogy BM, San Jose State University, Music Education BA, Cal State East Bay University, Sociology
2013 - BGSU Heidi Fern Clausius Music Scholarship
2013 - Art Song Competition Finalist
2012-14 - BGSU Tuition Scholarship
2009 - SJSU French Music Competition winner
Being a daughter of a piano teacher, music has always been the most indispensable part of my life - Having a master of music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy (Bowling Green State University) and a bachelor of music degree in Music Education (San Jose State University), my education humbles me and elevates my uttermost love and unspeakable crying need for music. I've had the honor to study with some of the most renowned pianists, including Dr Gwendolyn Mok (whose teacher's teacher was Maurice Ravel/doctorate from Stony Brook University), Dr Namik Sultanov (doctorate from Moscow Conservatory), Dr Solungga Liu (doctorate from Eastman School of Music), and Michael Lewin (graduated from Juilliard School). As a performer, I was one of the winners of the 2009 SJSU French Music Competition, and one of the finalists of the 2013 BGSU Art Song Competition. In 2012-13, I served as the accompanist of the BGSU Men's Chorus, in which I've had the opportunity to participate in the performnace tour twice through 6 states along the East Coast. I also serve as a church pianist since Feburary 2014. Besides my performing endeavors, I have over 10 years of teaching experience (see My Experience). I can teach in fluent English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
With over 10 years of teaching experience, I am a professional and pssionate piano teacher who firmly believe in cultivating a civilized, well-rounded mind through music education. Besides my own private studio, I have also taught in numerous music schools including Kids' N Keyboard Music Center (CA), Cherry Kids' Children Center (CA), Northern California School of Music (CA), Perrysbury Music Center (OH), Ip Piano School (MA), and Mozart Academy of Music (MA). I have worked with countless students in any level, including students as young as 3, students as old as 60+, and students with special needs. Under my flexible and unique way of teaching, my students acquire not only piano skills, but also critical thinking skills, analytic skills, independence, sensibility, and enthusiasm to express deep human emotions. Regarded as one of the most dedicated, creative, diligent, artistic, and knowledgeable pianists by many students' parents and college professors, I see teaching as not only a great pleasure and joy of my life, but also my responsibility - music is one of the most noble forms of communication, and it gives life such a layer of meaning that everyone deserves such opportunity to discover and explore in the realm of music. I could never cease to emphasize how thankful and grateful I am to be an educator and a musician.
It's been my strong belief that every student is unique in all aspects - it is my responsibility to recognize the uniqueness of the student, and individualize the lesson for each student's need. I am familiar with multiple methods - the most common ones include Alfred Basic Library, PIano Adventures, Music Tree, and Piano Safari; other methods include Bastien Piano Basics, Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, and many others. I use different methods with different students - decisions are usually made after the initial interview or when I have sufficient observation of the student's learning style, background, and personality. However, I consider these method books as merely one of the tools of my teaching (very often, I do not follow exactly the order/content of the book, but design my own lesson plan using the aid of the book) - Because I believe I am responsible for most of the teaching, not the book. I also occasionally provide supplementary repertoire, as well as incorporating a limited amount of rote teaching.
Especially for young students, my lessons involve a great deal of activities including numerous musical games, movements, theory time, rhythm clapping, music story telling, etc. In fact, in my graduate studies, the topic of my graduation project was Musical Games. The variety of the lesson can not only solve the issue of short attention span of young children, but also reinforce learned materials, prepare for and follow up on important concepts, and simply spice up the lesson. I cannot emphasize how much I enjoy the process of creating and reinventing activities, which requires close observation and deep understanding and familiarity of the student's personality, background, attitude and aptitude, preferences, learning style, and communication style. The activities are designed to help students to develop a sense of musicality and rhythm, build techniques, learn about all sorts of musical knowledge, and achieve internal goals like confidence building, improving consistency and practice quality.
Richardpetraglia
She is very patient and has a nice way about her She is very talented
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