Piano Study:
~I grew up in Flint, Michigan where I studied piano under Lenore Lanterman, Edith Buckhalter, and Prof. Laurence E. MacDonald. As a high school junior, I entered and won 1st place in the Michigan Music Teachers Association Annual Composition Competition for my piano composition "April Invention." Shortly after, I wrote a set of dances for piano, "The Robin Hood Suite," which won honorable mention in the Composer's Guild annual competition. Yes, I still compose, and am currently working on several piano pieces for students.
~As a college student at Eastern Michigan University I studied piano under Professors Anne Beth Gajda, Elaine Jacobson, and Dady Mehta. I graduated with honors in 1986 and began graduate study as an EMU Barton Scholar.

Teaching Experience:
~I taught piano for ten years in Flint as I continued to study piano with Prof. MacDonald. After moving to Ann Arbor and completing my college studies, I opened my first Ann Arbor piano studio. After a total of 15 years of piano teaching, I began an "early retirement" in the '90s--one which I'm so glad to be "giving up" to do what I love most: working with people of all ages and abilities as they find enjoyment in playing piano and in music in general!

Teaching Method:
~In a nutshell: encouraging, relaxed, thorough, individual goal-oriented. I'm classically trained, and offer students all the opportunities and training associated with traditional piano pedagogy. However, I adapt to individual students' needs, wants, and goals. I teach thoroughly whether your interest is traditional/classical or pop/rock--or other. I teach children, who have varying needs and levels of interest, commitment, and attention. I teach adults, whose interests and time commitments vary tremendously. A student who is interested and practices as much as is comfortable and productive is doing well! All has to be evaluated as individually as each of us is! Music is wonderful! My goal is to teach what is essential to enjoy playing the music you like!
Mary :)