Barbara A
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Keyboard, Classical Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz

My teaching experience began at the age of thirteen. I gave lessons out of my home in Webster Groves, Missouri. I have been teaching students out of my home for thirty plus years. I will also go to the home. I like to encourage students to practice daily. Each student has a practice log which they have to fill out on a weekly basis. My job is to provide structure and consistency within a framework that is also fun for each students. I adhere to Randall Faber's research showing that between ages 4 and 7, it's all about fun; between ages 7 and 10, it's about what they can do; between 10 and 19 it's about showing off; and nineteen and above, it's about having a source of enjoyment.

I love Faber and Faber for piano. I have several very young students doing the series for preschoolers. These materials are supplemented with Keith Snell's literature books. All students do at least one duet per year and two recitals.

I love to take students as far as they can go in their lesson books and then back that up with the technic books, which are generally a bit easier. That helps with pacing the lessons and it pads the practice times. For guitar students I use the Essential Elements of Guitar and the Bay books