I worked for Fletcher Music Company for three years--January, 1999, through December, 2001. I was an organ instructor for senior citizens, who were 55 on up. My title was Director of Education. I had on the job training because the Lowery organs were very fancy, and I had to learn to play with orchestrated rhythms. Mr. Charlie Stanford, who is retired from Fletcher's, had hired me. I worked in Zephyrhills, FL, and was transferred to the Lakeland store at the mall in mid 2001. That store was not doing well before I came, and it unfortunately closed at the end of 2001. I studied piano for 40 years with a private teacher, who had gotten her education at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. When I was 22 I started learning the organ from her as well. Her name was Mary Badanis, and she passed away on April 2, 2000. I have taught piano privately for 8 years at my home--2001 through 2008 and currently have been doing that again. Then I took off some time during the recession when people weren't answering ads for piano and started my teaching up again in early 2016 through the present time. I have almost 14 years of piano teaching experience. I have taught six children from one family and a very lovely girl whose mom is a single mom and a brother and sister most recently. As of this past Sunday, January 12, 2020, I added a new student who is 7 years old. I can be reached at (landline) or (cell phone), to which you may text.
Degree and Field of Study:
What to expect in my Keyboard and Piano Lessons:
I teach each student and truly want to see them achieve their best or highest potential. I feel that I have a lot of extra patience for someone who is just beginning to learn, whether it is a child or an adult.
Formal Education:
I had 40 years of private piano lessons and 25 years of private organ lessons from Mrs. Mary Badanis. I also studied piano at Little Rock University, which is now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In years past I performed some musical programs upon request.
Private Education:
Graduated Little Rock Central High with Honors. I was an Honor Graduate and was in the top 2 percent of my graduating class which numbered about 750. I made the Dean's List at College. Then I had an excellent opportunity to work for a labor union for 23 years. The money was excellent and I did not further study at UALR nor in Memphis, however, I continued my private piano and organ studies in Memphis for 25 years while I worked a full-time job. I was already in Memphis, TN, and had married. Sometimes piano teaching cannot provide a total income to count on and that was why I made the decision to go the business route. My business position was with the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, in Memphis, TN. Then I moved to the Tampa Bay area in Florida and wanted a career change. That was when I was hired by Fletcher Music Company. Mr. Stanford was very impressed with me and I played the organ for him and he hired me on the spot. I also taught piano for a brief time at a dance studio in Temple Terrace, FL.
Performing Experience:
When I was about 16 my Dad had arranged for me to play the Roger Williams arrangement of Autumn Leaves on Local TV. It did come out well. I have played for special occasions and programs for people at my house of worship. I did some accompany work for a professional singer many years in the past.
Experience Teaching:
I have right at 14 years of teaching experience and that includes combined organ and piano. I also teach on keyboard if the student does not have an acoustic piano, which is my favorite choice instrument. I also taught for about a year at a dance studio in Temple Terrace, FL.