I was 14 years old when I first realized I was going to be a professional musician. I gave my first solo piano recital, and it was like a switch flipped. Music was amazing. I loved it. I needed it. Not just for me, but for the audience. They needed the joy of music in their lives, and I was the one who could bring it to them. Before that day, every day was a battle with my parents trying to get me to practice. After that day, they never needed to tell me to practice again—I just did it, because I found the joy.
Every lesson I teach, I remember that 14-year-old joy. My goal is to help every student discover that joy for themselves, to find those moments of “YES! THAT’S IT!” during lessons and practice.
I believe in explanation. “Just do it,” and “it’s not right yet” are not part of my vocabulary. I believe it is my job as a teacher not just to say when something is missing, but to say WHAT is missing and how to find it. I prioritize teaching the complete musician.
I am a Manhattan conservatory-trained concert pianist and a Utah university-trained teacher and pedagogue. I studied the art of playing with the incredible Simone Dinnerstein and the art of teaching from the legendary Dr. Irene Peery-Fox, bringing the best of both worlds for the serious classical piano student. I practice twice as many hours as I teach in a given week, ensuring that I am bringing my students the most up-to-date technical discoveries. I never teach anything to a student that I have not tried and honed myself.
I am the only classical performing pianist/teacher in northwestern Westchester county. My students have gone on to study piano in music schools around the country.
I take students of any age and skill level provided they are serious about classical music study and are committed to daily practice. I do not expect all of my students to become concert pianists, but I expect serious dedication to music and attention to detail.