Franz Joseph Haydn - "Young people can learn from my example that something can come from nothing. What I have become is the result of my hard efforts."
I started piano at the age of 4 1/2, studying with my mom-Ellen Christenson-who gave me a sound understanding of technique, sight reading, musical concepts and, most importantly, how to practice effectively. At the age of 12 I transfered to Professor Gary Amano-head of the piano department at Utah State University. It was here that I really started my career as a performer.
I won several competitions under Amano's instruction, including 1st place in the UMTA and Encore Keyboard competitions, Finalist in the Utah Valley Young Artist competition, and outstanding performer each year in several categories in the Encore program.
After graduating High School, I recieved scholarships from Encore, the Women's Elk Society and USU where I performed, studyed, and taught for 5 years under Professor Amano. To say I learned a lot is an understatement. I was pushed to perfect my pieces and perform on a state and regional level.
Some of my past accomplishments include 1st place at State Fair, 1st place in two categories at the Albertson's International Piano Competition, and solo performances with the Utah Valley Symphony as well as the USU Symphony. I have also been a guest performer for some of the country's great teachers and performers.
As a teacher, I began by teaching in the USU Youth Conservatory. I taught here for three years as a gold level private teacher as well as a theory and ear-training teacher for beginning and intermediate classes. I was also an assistant to a Keyboard Harmony class on the college level, instructing technique, sight reading, and transposition.
I have since started my own studio and have taught in American Fork, Utah for the past three years. I currently have 27 private students. All of my past and current students have won outstanding on all their performances and several have received awards in competitions including performing in the Encore honors recitals.
All of these life experiences in practicing, performing, and teaching have not only helped my own progression, but they have given me the knowledge that will allow me to effectively pass information to my own students. I truly love the piano and hope that I can not only give my students a good musical knowledge, but also instill that love of piano and music in them.
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