Music Lessons in Gilbert, AZ

Instruments: Piano Recorder Music

- Graduated with honors BA in Business Management from Cal State University, San Bernardino, CA, plus almost a minor in Music - Graduated with honors AA/AS of Liberal Arts, Business Management and Computer Programming & Design from Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA with honors - Licensed in Fire and Casualty Insurance with Allstate Insurance, with over 14 years practical experience - Professional Pianist - Participation in choirs & choruses since 1971 - Teacher in the UC Irvine studies on Music & Brain Development – have had and have enjoyed having many students of varying disabilities. - Kindermusik full courses levels I and II, as well as the Business Supplement and all extension courses - Fully licensed by Kindermusik to teacher all units and levels from 09/1999 until 02/2014 - Earned the annual Master Kindermusik Teacher Award repeatedly - Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, Piano (NCTM) by the National Music Teachers Association (MTNA) - Certified levels I & II (out of 3) in the American Orff-Scheulwerk Association (AOSA) - Innumerable Master Classes and Lectures in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Business Management, Early Childhood Education, Working with Students with Disabilities and Music & Brain Development - Continuous Self Study on the above topics, in the last 10 years with an emphasis on working with & understanding Developmental Disabilities. - Repeated Attendance over many years at Local, State and National level Music Conferences - Active Membership in the National, State & Local Music Teacher Associations for more than 25 years - District IV Coordinator with the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) - Vice President, then President of the Empire Music Teachers Association (EMTA) in District IV of CAPMT - Past certification by the American Red Cross in CPR and First Aid, adult & pediatric – 4 separate times - Over 40 years of volunteer work with young children at Nursery Schools & Sunday Schools – class sizes to 34 children - Volunteer Musical Story Times & Musical demonstrations for local groups, bookstores and schools since 1996 - Volunteer local libraries – 8 years - Running all aspects of my own music studio since 1983, very successfully - Typically, 3/4ths of my new business is by referral Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

I really began teaching when I became section leader in my high school marching band. I was in charge of teaching new music to my section. From that experience I leaned so much. After that I continued my education at Mesa Community College, where I studied music performance. While attending I studied privately and played in small combos. After I left MCC I went on tour with my rock band that eventually landed me in Los Angeles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For piano students who have already been playing and/or taking lessons, I usually start from where they left off with their former teacher. I then gently guide them to the Faber books or continue using the series they're comfortable with, depending on the needs of the student. I find that consistency helps encourage the student, giving them confidence that they can be successful. For my voice students, I usually start them with proper breathing techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer

For beginning students, I prefer the Alfred Piano Method, in my opinion, it's a very thorough course, and offers many benefits for the beginning student. for my intermediate and advanced students, I use a variety of teaching materials, depending on the style of muisc I'm teaching, inciluding music books, videos, and audio recordings. I try to find out what my students are interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter what their ability level is. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet Recorder Bassoon Keyboard

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing my students having fun! My goal as an educator is to engage every student through fun games, activities, and chamber music no matter how much experience they have with music. Students are always encouraged to explore different styles of music. In order to track a student's performance and progress, they are required to have a journal. In their journals, they will keep track of their goals and evaluate themselves. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I am the Resident Music Director at Arizona Broadway Theatre, functioning as the primary rehearsal pianist and conductor for the company. In my career I have been fortunate to work as Pianist and Music Director for the Norwegian, Celebrity and Princess Cruise Lines which has taken me around the world where I have accompanied performers from Broadway to the West End. As an educator and collaborative artist, I commit to providing excellence, flexibility, and positivity in order to create healthy environments where all can learn and perform to the best of their ability! Read More

Instruments: Piano

Teaching experience: Shirley has taught lessons for the Institute of Music Education in Scottsdale and Milano's in Mesa. She is willing to teach children at a minimum age of 5 years old, teens, and adults of all ages. In addition, to learning songs, she initiates exercises to improve her students technical skills and chord / scale knowledge which will give each student a solid foundation for growth potential. She can also help with performance suggestions, songwriting, music theory, sight-reading etc. Read More