Piano Lessons in Bellevue, WA

Instruments: Piano Voice

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
If you set a daily goal of practicing 5 minutes per day, you’re more likely to practice more frequently and longer than you would if you set a goal to practice 30 minutes on 3 days of the week. For the more intermediate and advanced students, I find it very helpful to start your practice using Hanon exercises. This helps build muscle memory and will warm your hands up for any piece of music. For the singers in the house, I recommend learning the chords for the song, playing it with the audio file and then slowly adding in the vocals. Don't forget to warm up before singing! You wouldn't go run a marathon without stretching your muscles right? ;)

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
I typically recommend to wait until the child is 7 years old, but I have taught students around the age 5-6 depending on their readiness. If the child is aware of which hand is right and left and if the child is able to sit still and take direction for at least 15 minutes then I may recommend that it's okay to start. It's also important that the child is able to comprehend enough to be able to practice some of the basics. I know lessons are an additional expense so it's important to me that parents are getting the most from every lesson.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Mrs Brower was my second piano teacher at the age of 9. The first time I saw her play, I felt a rush of excitement and empowerment run through my body. I just knew I had to play the piano just like her! She taught me a lot of Jim Brickman pieces which I still love to play to this very day. I was also motivated by the random prize basket I could rummage through on the days when she knew I practiced ;) She asked me the tough questions, called me out when she knew I didn't touch a piano that week but she was so supportive and caring.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
A normal practice session would start off with reviewing last week's homework and celebrating some wins. We would then do some warm-ups, followed by technique and then get right into repertoire. I think it's important to set some realistic goals at the end of each practice session. We'll set goals for the week, goals for the quarter and goals for the year. Practice is so important because you cannot improve your piano skills without practice; it just doesn't happen. Creating flashcards with your basic chords or singing in the shower are all ways that you can improve your skills especially when you're having a busy week.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Honestly, I would probably be working at a dog rescue mission. I have two dogs, Bailey and Baxter and they are the most precious babies! I think Dogs were put on this earth to teach us more about unconditional love, forgiveness, caring and patience. I wouldn't mind spending my days saving the pups from bad situations or from homelessness. Our Baxter was left on the streets of Arizona with no where to go and nothing to eat. It took him a while to warm up to us but now he is the happiest little bub and we are forever grateful for him.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I love playing soul and blues music; similar to Norah Jones or Adele. I love a good meaningful and emotional song, especially when I can connect to it. Singing and playing the keys is more than just the notes, it's about how to sing those notes and how you touch the keys. There is a finesse to it and when you focus on finding that, you will become a better artist over night. When I hear soul music that connects to my heart or my life experiences, I almost instantly get a heart tug and I feel everything that person felt when he/she was writing it.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I decided pretty early on that this was my purpose in my life. In grade school I would always sing Disney songs for show-and-tell and at home I would always pretend to be the teacher of the class with my sisters and friends. I've always had a part in performing at an early age, whether that was in church or in a singing trio I was in at the age of 15. We performed throughout the Filipino community with festivals, private parties and other cultural fairs. When I graduated high school, I felt pressured to get a 'real' degree in business so I finished my Bachelors and Masters in Business but didn't feel satisfied. I always kept music with me and I knew that I had to trust my inner spirit that kept telling me that this was what I was supposed to be doing all along. I don't regret my education as I've developed my skill set tremendously, but I'm happy I never left music behind.

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