TEACHING PHILOSOPHY | return to read more about Yvonne’s activities in the schools

“Establishing a good rapport with students is critical for me to create a positive and beneficial learning experience. My teaching engages each student by understanding what the child is capable of, challenging and fulfilling them with varied repertoire. With students from a variety of backgrounds, I make sure all reach a solid foundation of piano-playing with an understanding of note-reading, proper posture, rhythm, dynamics, and style. From this foundation I encourage students to find their own voices within music for self-expression while providing the framework of the music itself.

I also focus on helping students understand and apply concepts which are not only essential to their success in music, but will also be useful in all aspects of life. The commitment, self-accountability, and focus required for studying music and success in any field are all gained in my teaching. Students will leave with a newfound appreciation and understanding of music, developed life skills, and a solid foundation in piano-playing to continually build upon.

While it is not mandatory, performances are a great motivating tool and make good long-term goals for students. I understand each student’s differences and will accommodate the learning style and motivation of each student to ensure some sort of a final project, whether a public performance, private jury, or an audio/video recording project. Performing provides the student with positive feedback from others, a sense of ownership in their own creative talents, and a chance to share music with friends and family.”