Lesson Special - Up to 20% OFF! Get Started Now with a Risk-Free Trial!

Karen M In Home In Studio
avatar

Instruments: Piano, Recorder, Music
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Flamenco, Showtunes, Spirituals, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Avant-garde

avatar

Karen M   In Home In Studio
Instruments: Piano, Recorder, Music
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Flamenco, Showtunes, Spirituals, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Avant-garde

Where I Teach:
In Your Home My Studio
Ages Taught: 5-80
Levels Taught:

EMAIL US OR CALL 877-687-4524

Verification

Background check cleared

Social security verified

Name verified

Phone verified

Email verified

Address verified

Studio Locations
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:

3 AA/1 AS with honors at Chaffey Community College BA with Honors at Cal State San Bernardino Nationally Certified Music Teacher by the Music Teachers National Association Certified all levels, stages, and extensions in the Kindermusk International method Certified in American Orff-Schulwek, levels I & II out of 3. Numerous other certifications. I have also been a life long learner, always trying to learn more to be a better teacher/musician. I go back and take more private lessons occasionally, 18 years worth to date, and attend many conferences, workshops, lectures, masterclasses, etc each year. Since I've been doing this since 1991, it adds up to more than I can remember! I also self study a lot. Starting about 25 years ago, I've had many students with disabilities, each kind of which I study up on thoroughly so I can do the best job possible.

Overview:
. I love Music! My family has always incorporated music into our lives. Some of my earliest memories are being danced around in my Mom’s arms and listening to her sing. I began formal lessons on the Piano when I was 7 years old. Growing up also I sang in the Church Choirs, played on Hand Bells, and explored the Flute. I spent a formal year each on Trumpet, Drums and Harpsichord and am currently working on learning Zither, Autoharp, Dulcimer, and Soprano & Alto Recorders, and sometimes the guitar (when I have a chance). I also regularly read and attend lectures, conferences, seminars and master classes to always improve my teaching skills. I have been teaching piano and music theory since 1983 and have played professionally. I am a of Music Teachers (CAPMT), Empire Music Teachers Association (EMTA), the Music Educators National member in good standing with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and was with the California Association Conference (MENC), the Suzuki Association of North America, the National & the Inland Empire Kodaly-Orff Association, and the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. I am now with the Arizona State Music Teachers Association and am in the local Phoenix Chapter. I am a fully certified and licensed teacher of Kindermusik and Musikgarten and have earned National Certification (NCTM) through the MTNA and have earned Level I & II (out of 3) in Orff-Scheulwerk. I was District IV Coordinator for CAPMT, and Vice President then President of the EMTA. I keep busy and love teaching!
EXPERIENCE
- 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
METHODS USED
TEACHING OBJECTIVES: - First, to provide quality piano instruction to almost any age. - Second, to make the students as knowledgeable and self-sufficient as possible. - Third, to reach the first two objectives effectively and still have fun doing it. WHAT IS A TYPICAL LESSON LIKE? - Arrive and get your things out - Warm-ups: trills, scales, 5 finger patterns, thirds, octaves, inversions, etc. - Did you have trouble on your assignments this week? If so, we'll go directly to that. - Demonstration of all pieces while working on any problems - Assignment and demonstration, practice and special directions for each piece. - Theory check and new assignment. Complete as needed. - As time permits, review of flashcards, ear training and so forth. - Music Lab (either before or after the lesson as fits in with the students around you) - 15-20 minutes of independent study: musical computer games to support what we are working on, read books about music, composers, music history and so forth, listen to music as supports what we are working on, complete any missed theory assignments, review of flashcards if needed. Use the Assignment Books. They list all things to be done. Please read it each week. Complete and sign off the practice record each week.
LESSON STYLE
WHAT DO WE DO HERE? I try hard to present students with a solid, broad based approach with an emphasis on understanding the fundamentals of musical comprehension, music reading, musical memory, and ear development. These are essential to playing and enjoyment of any instrument! To this end we cover theory, music history, performance, technique and practical application. These basics are supplemented and reinforced by the monthly group sessions, several annual field trips, access to regional, state and national music competitions and performances, as well as the formal Student Evaluations each Spring. I have a full music lab, an extensive library of music and music reference materials and up to date postings on local free or low cost musical events While I tend to emphasize classical music and technique, we will also cover a wide range of music in various meters and modalities: classical, popular and world music in solos and duets. Supplementary books are available: holiday, religious, popular, classical, music from specific times, places, composers, movies... or whatever the student wishes, when they are ready. My personal goal is not to have a studio full of competition performers. A few are always nice of course, but the average student just wants to be able to make music - to make it sing. I DO want them to understand, appreciate, and be able to pick up something and figure it out - or apply what they know to another instrument. Once music is part of a life, it never leaves; it is the one universal language.
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Leave a Review
Leave a Review
RATING & REVIEW
Verification

Background check cleared

Social security verified

Name verified

Phone verified

Email verified

Address verified

Studio Locations
BBB A+ rating
Check out our A+

Rating from the Better Business Bureau

Risk Free Trial Lesson
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson

If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.

Ready to Get Started? Take a Risk Free Trial Lesson!

No credit card required.

Up to 20% OFF!
GET A RISK-FREE TRIAL

Select all the days/times the student would be available to start lessons. Selecting "3pm - 7pm" means the student can start as early as 3pm or start as late as 7pm. It is important that you select as many days and the widest window of start times for each day as possible. That will help us make a match with one of our teachers.

Ok

Are you sure that's your only availability? The more availability you easier it will be to arrange a teacher for you.