Getting to know my students and their families, helping them grow, and instilling a love of music are some of the greatest joys of my life. As a “Suzuki kid”, a child of Suzuki teachers, and now a teacher myself, I am deeply connected to this philosophy and method. For me, teaching is about presence and connection; truly seeing the student in front of me as a whole person and tailoring all of my knowledge and training to what they need on that day, while also seeing a trajectory and having a plan for their growth and progress. I am compassionate and understanding and I have high expectations because I believe so deeply in what my students are capable of.
I am 32 years old, and I remember teaching my first lesson when I was around 12. Throughout high school, I gave my friends weekly private lessons. I grew up hearing my parents teach piano in the house constantly, sometimes both at the same time. I have been surrounded by amazing musicians and educators for my entire life – this has shaped me into the musician and human that I am today. My love of music is expansive, and being able to pass that on is a gift!
My students are my greatest teachers.
I have been a faculty member at The Center for Preparatory Studies in Music at Queens College for over 10 years. I have an in-person studio in Portland, Maine and an online studio of students from all over the country. I received Suzuki training in books 1-8 from the School for Strings under the tutelage of Allen Lieb and Ecaterina Gerson, with additional book 1 certification from the Hartt Suzuki Institute under Carrie Reuning-Hummel.
“ Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear fine music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.”
– Dr. Shinichi Suzuki
“Do not train a child to learn by force or harshness; but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.”
-Plato
