Music encompasses universal truths, making an impact on everyone from young to old; but still contains different meanings for each individual. Music surpasses language barriers, gathers people together, soothes the soul, and heightens our imagination and emotions.

Teaching students to perform music provides an important challenge. The student/musician must understand and be grounded in all aspects of musicianship which include: performance artistry, strong technical skills, sight-reading, ear-training, theory, music composition, performance, music history, and the study of composers. These aspects are the basic stepping stones of my teaching program.

My goal is to have the student be independent of me by knowing how to practice correctly, how to count, articulate, set realistic goals, perform, and finally to portray his/her love of music and knowledge of music to others. Interestingly enough, when this is accomplished, the student will also have reinforced his/her self-esteem, thus providing the student with his/her own self motivation to continue learning. I strive to provide my students with new and innovative techniques that will foster their appreciation of music, but will still be within the grasp of their understanding, ability, and musical taste as they develop musically. Understanding what each student "brings to the learning table" helps me develop a distinctly personalized course of study for each individual.

The philosophy my piano teacher Jeff Manookian instilled in me all those years ago I instill in my students today. Every time a student sits at the piano this question should be asked: "Am I PLAYING, PRACTICING, or PERFORMING? "These are the three "P's" of the piano. Every time you place your hands on the piano keys, you are doing one (and only one) of these three "P's".

PLAYING the piano is the classification of recreation. It is a form of fun  without discipline or concentration. There is nothing wrong with playing the piano. Sadly though, many a student believes that playing the piano can  count for legitimate practice time.

PRACTICING is when the student sits at the keyboard, plans exactly what is to be done in the hour(s) of study. This time is productive and progressive.

PERFORMING is the highest level of the three "P's." It  requires complete concentration, technique, and emotional equipment. When a student has achieved a level of perfection through practice, then performing can be one of the most satisfying moments a pianist can have.

I find fulfillment and satisfaction with the time that I spend with my students -- the future musicians and music teachers.

         Marie-Ann Harris

"Piano lessons must be music lessons from the very beginning, that developing complete musicianship is the goal of every lesson."
–Frances Clark