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Piano:
Classical, Pop, Rock
Guitar: Classical, Spanish, Folk
Incentive Programs ~ Theory Games ~ Arizona Study Program
Artistic ~ Experienced ~ Encouraging
Leading to Mastery
First lesson is free! All ages welcome!
Lessons can be 30, 45, or 60 minutes weekly.
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Uniquely Motivating to Students
The fun games and challenges I design make learning music
performance and theory virtually painless! For example, my
Summer 2009 Challenge rewards progress with a pizza party at
Organ Stop Pizza. For a sight-reading medallion,
students earn points by counting rhythms and playing a new piece
correctly at first sight.
Referrals and Comments
“Piano has done more for our son than all his other activities.”
~ Kati Long
“You push him just enough but you make it fun. He has grown in
ways I could not have imagined.” ~ Kate Behrens
“Susan is a consummate musician!” ~ Dr. Christopher Samuel
Biography
Lucky to be born in a musical family, I wrote my first piano
composition at eight and devoured all the classical and popular
music I could find. Folks began asking me to play shows and
weddings at the age of twelve.
For a few years I studied classical and Spanish guitar with Lauro
Rico, a nationally famous guitarist. Mr. Rico invited me to go
on tour with him when I turned eighteen. Instead, I decided to
study piano and improvisation. In college I studied with Ellen
Herrmann, protégé of concert pianist Rudolf Ganz.
Still active as a performer and composer, teaching is my favorite
activity! I just love creating games, challenges, and rewards
for my students. I maintain a thriving studio in northeast
Phoenix and at Arcadia Music Academy.
Student Success Stories
Lance Horne transferred to my studio
when he was ten. During that first year I encouraged him to
try his hand at composing. Just three months later he was
awarded 3rd place in the national division of the CPP Belwin
Composition Contest. Under my tutelage Lance composed and
performed a musical in his 6th grade. Lance
graduated from Juilliard School and is now a teacher at Columbia, an
arranger for the Broadway play Little Women, and winner of an Emmy
Award for song writing. Upon winning his Emmy, he called to
thank me for getting him started in composition.
Milton Vellon caught the music bug on
the day I played “Maple Leaf Rag” for him. He began to
practice three hours a day. At 17, he performed the
Rachmaninoff Concerto #2, 2nd movement. Milton became an elite
piano store’s featured concert artist.
Many parents say their children are
playing much better and loving it more than with previous teachers.
Students thrive as they develop their skills and win awards.
Practice is often the first thing they want to do when they get home
from school.
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