about myself

Background:	Bachelor of Music Education Degree, Major in Piano, Minor in Voice. Studied violin several years under the Concertmaster (Dr. Linda Hsu) of the Little Rock Symphony and 2 different state Fiddle Champions (Timothy Trawick and Bill Thurman). Studied piano many years under the concert pianist for the Little Rock Symphony (Dr. Carl Anthony). Nationally certified in piano teaching, Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). Taught private piano and violin lessons, recently had 55 students in Arkansas until I moved to Texas because of my new grandbaby in 2008. Averaged about 50-60 students for many years. Have 17 years experience in teaching piano and 7 years teaching violin. Have experience working with a school orchestra for some of my student teaching. Honors, Awards • Valerie-Klipsch Scholarship, piano performance, 2000 • Member Alpha Chi (National Honor Society) • Scholastic Art Award, Kansas Arts Commission • Graduated Magna Cum Laude, 3.9 Grade Average • Outstanding Community School of Music Undergraduate Student Instructor Award 2001-2002 awarded by the University of Central Arkansas Community School of Music Was hired by Midway ISD to teach violin privately for the Midway orchestra students. Taught 4 years of private piano and 2 years of piano classes through the University of Central Arkansas Community School of Music at UCA. Taught piano classes of 20 at Parkview Magnet School in Little Rock. Taught more than 100 students private music lessons over a 17 year period from ages 5 to 84. Chairperson for the National Federation of Music Clubs Piano Festival for four years at the University of Central Arkansas. Attended numerous piano, music, and violin teaching workshops in and out of state. 1980-1998 Experienced in education for these 18 years. Home-schooled my two children from kindergarten through high school after which we attended college together. Because of their education, both children were able to skip college algebra and college trigonometry. My daughter was also able to skip college pre-calculus and go into calculus, a 4th level college math class. She was awarded a Presidential scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas worth $1,800/semester extra in addition to tuition, fees and books and made straight A’s in college until graduation. She attended college three semesters earlier than if she would have graduated with a public school. At age 20, she graduated from college with a 4.0 grade average in electrical drafting. She worked as an electrical drafter and processing engineer with McDowel Research. My son was awarded a two-year scholarship to the University of Arkansas in Morrilton and is highly skilled in computer technology, being sought by businesses at the age of 14. At age 20 he worked in technical support at Acxiom. He currently is a Director of Technology for the school District, Bremon ISD in Texas.
Qualifications:	Did freelance writing and photography for the Little Rock Newspaper, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, front page of the River Valley Section. Taught Beginning and Intermediate Spanish at McClennan Community College for the Adult Education Department. Taught Elementary Music in Arkansas. Taught Elementary Music in Waco ISD. Have a current Standard Texas Teaching Certificate until 2014.
Associations:	Nationally Certified in Piano teaching by MTNA. Member of NFMC and MTNA.
References:	Yes
Hobbies:	• Piano playing, violin playing, singing and Spanish, I am bilingual. • Swimming and Roller-blading • Traveling • Biking / hiking / and kayaking • Reading/ gardening • Fine art painting/ other fine arts and crafts • Church • Weight training and aerobics
Student Successes:	Several students have been offered music and piano scholarships after studying 5 years with me. One student was offered a job in Branson, Missouri as a performer. This girl paid for 45 minute private lessons, and practiced 3 hours a day.
Strengths:	I love children and enjoy working with people. I love music, teaching, and playing the piano and violin!
Weaknesses:	I do not like to be very early, but very close to on time. Please contact me by cell phone, because sometimes my e-mail gets lost to the junk pile. I do read my e-mail regularly though.
Other Info:	Playing piano or violin is half with the brain and half with muscle memory (It is like typing--Your hand automatically knows where to go without thinking too much.). Everyone must have a piano or violin to train the Hand muscle memory. Practice will guarantee success if done correctly. Individualized instruction. I tailor the lessons to fit you and your goals, just like homeschooling. Can teach all styles of music, whatever makes you happy. :)