This page was inspired by an article in the Spring 2024 California Music Teacher magazine (Volume 48) entitled "Fostering Lifelong Music Lovers: A Guide for Music Teachers" by Barbie Wong. The author attributes the following four markers to creating life-long music lovers: 1. Cultivating a musical environment, 2. Providing high-quality teaching, 3. Emphasizing consistent practice, and 4. Encouraging group music-making. 

1. Cultivate a musical environment. Saturate your children in good music. Play it at home or in the car, sing to your kids, sing together, and go to live performances. When music is present in their environment, students will be drawn to it. In an effort to encourage weekly listening, I will be providing listening suggestions with links under the section below entitled "Composer Study." Jazz will have its own suggested listening list. My hope is that students will enjoy and be inspired by what they hear, will perhaps find a new genre of piano music they love, and will realize that the piano is still relevant in modern music.

2. Provide high-quality teaching. This is my job as a teacher, and I don't take it lightly! My education includes piano lessons starting at age 7, on-the-job skills as full-time church/community/school choir/instrumental pianist/accompanist starting at age 12, a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance, and a Masters of Arts in Piano Pedagogy. I'm an active member in a music teacher's association. I research methods, network with other teachers of thriving studios, and read articles, blogs, and websites from other teachers to see what I can be doing better as a teacher. Lastly and very practically, I assess the needs of my students with the purpose of finding creative ways to fill learning gaps and provide the best education possible for my pupils.  

3. Emphasize consistent practice. Provide your student with a practice time and place that encourages efficient practice.  Use positive words to encourage your child when they are practicing. Let them know you enjoy listening to them play. 

4. Encourage group music making. Students will now have 6 opportunities a year to perform for each other at Piano Pals meet-ups and recitals. Students can also volunteer to play at church, community events, and for friends and family. Duets between students are also encouraged.

As a music teacher, I aspire not only to teach piano, but to help form learners who love making and sharing music with others.  Students should listen to piano music during the week, have a consistent practice time and place where they can practice effectively, and have opportunities to share music socially. Creating a lifelong love for music is a team effort involving the teacher, student, and parents.