Biography​

 

I fell in love with the guitar when I saw The Beatles play on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, and I began sharing my enthusiasm informally by teaching interested friends and neighbors three years later. I began formal (paid) teaching in 1992 at The Guitar Foundation in Iowa City, followed by many years at The Guitar House in North Liberty, and West Music in Coralville. Throughout that time I maintained a home teaching studio, through which I currently teach. To support and inform my guitar teaching I earned an MA degree in Music Theory from The University of Iowa (2006) and have studied classical guitar with Richard Stratton, Dan Caraway, Todd Seelye, and Oleg Timofeyev. I had the honor of playing in a master class for Christopher Parkening and enjoy using his books for my classical teaching repertoire. A lifelong learner, I also hold degrees in Dance (BA), French (BA), and an MSW in Social Work. For many years I taught group guitar lessons at the Iowa City Recreation Center and at West Music and have visited area preschools with my guitar to dance and sing with the children. I am currently the Adjunct Instructor of Guitar at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant, IA.

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Every student is a joy to work with, and I am thrilled to start adult beginners or help a teenager learn the music of their favorite artist, but my "specialty" is working with the young beginner, ages 4-7. I have put together a small song book for students of this age. My areas of expertise are children's music, music of The Beatles, music of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, classical guitar, and music theory.

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Teaching Philosophy

Teaching is my passion! I focus on working with each student to nurture the joy of music and to develop the skills to express themselves on the guitar. Lessons are relaxed, supportive, and encouraging. I firmly believe that every student can learn to play the guitar!

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To inquire about guitar lesson rates and lesson availably click the contact me button!