About Heather
I've been teaching since 1997. Teaching and playing the piano are my life-long passions.
I bring dedication and inspiration to every lesson, backed by decades of experience in
piano instruction, chamber music coaching, performance coaching and adjudicating.
⭐️ 2017 Teacher of the Year from the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association.
⭐️ 2020-2022 President of the Massachusetts Music Teachers Association.
⭐️ Feature article about me in Boston Voyager.
I've run a flourishing private piano studio for 29 years, which is currently located in Jamaica Plain, MA.
My students frequently stand out for their accomplishments in recitals and notable competitions, including:
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Highest marks in the state in the Royal Conservatory of Music Program.
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the MMTA Judged Festival
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the MMTA Bay State Competition
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Prizes in the Miclot International Music Competition, American Protege International Piano Competitions, the AADGT International Festivals, and the Crescendo International Competitions, with performances at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC, Lincoln Center, NYC, and Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, MA.
Students have also been accepted to prestigious programs, such as:
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Interlochen, Summer Intensive Program
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Jacobs Academy, Indiana University
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Point-Counterpoint, chamber music summer program
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University of Houston, Pre-College Piano Institute
Previous teaching includes:
Indian Hill Music School (now Groton Hill Music Center):
On the faculty from 2002-2019, where I taught private piano students, chamber ensembles and performance workshops. I was also Chair of the Piano Department from 2004-2015, where I created important programming for students, including:
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Piano Performance Workshops
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the Piano Certification Curriculum
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the Honors Piano Competition
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SummerDayMusic
Walla Walla University, Washington:
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Assistant Director, Piano Preparatory Division, 1997-2000
Teaching Philosophy
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FOSTER a love of learning, creativity, personal expression and artistic excellence.
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Introduce students to DIVERSE and INCLUSIVE piano literature that represents women, people of color, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ musicians in classical music. I want them to discover the excitement, beauty and enjoyment of playing classical music that represents ALL of our history.
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EMPOWER students with practice strategies and problem-solving skills, so they can experience progress and enjoyment from mastering challenges. I want students to leave the lesson thinking: "I CAN do it!"
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Set HIGH STANDARDS and challenge students to increase focus and discipline.
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ENCOURAGE each student to strive for personal excellence, to always do their best, and realize their OWN potential.
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COMMUNICATE and set individual goals and expectations effectively.
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Be very PATIENT and supportive.
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Emphasize QUALITY over quantity or speed.
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DEVELOP a student's critical listening skills and self-awareness.
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Promote PROPER TECHNIQUE to support healthy practice and greater expressive ability.
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Model effective and positive PERFORMANCE PRACTICE, and encourage students to share & grow their talent through performance.