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I have played the piano now for about 8 years, starting out playing by ear.
My exposure to piano was very broad, listening to pianists at churches, southern gospel concerts, jazz concerts through the band program in my school district, and many different places.
The thing that peaked my interest into playing the piano was my mom, who plays the piano for my Baptist church. Surrounded by music at school, I began to pick at the piano at school and at our church.
As I grew in the band program and asked questions about the piano to my mom and band directors over the years, I soon began to really pick the instrument up. I started taking lessons in high school and played for solo contests and for the high school jazz band. I went all the way to the state solo and ensemble contest in Austin, Texas on a solo piano piece and made a One (the highest ranking). I also made the All-Region and All-Area Jazz Band and got to try out for the All-State Band on piano.
I began teaching lessons myself in my junior year in high school, teaching younger kids in the district whose parents wanted them to learn and adults who had always wanted to learn. I also began accompanying kids for solo contests in band and choir.
In addition to playing a lot more in high school, I also played more at my church, playing for all the special choir music and different productions that involved music.
Now, in college at Texas Wesleyan, I play for the jazz band here and still teach lessons to different kids in the area along with a couple kids at the college.
Ever since playing the piano, I have loved to teach it as well. I want everyone that has a passion for music and playing it to learn it and love it as I have. I can help with foundations of piano, learning how to play for church, learning a solo for school, basic jazz playing, technique, and so on.
I want the piano to be fun to anyone that wants to learn.
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