Ice Piano Studio
ABOUT Jill
In the second grade, I begged my parents to let me start piano lessons and have never looked back, knowing from an early age that music and piano would always be part of my life. My job is the best because it is simply an extension of my love for music and wanting to share that love with others. I now have over 30 years of teaching experience in classical piano performance instruction and have been a life-long learner in increasing both my performance and teaching skills over the years. I’ve been privileged to teach all levels and ages of students, preparing some of them for recitals, competitions, and festivals, many of which have received recognition on the state and national levels. My greatest joy in teaching is when my students discover and develop their own love of music.
ABOUT Jill
In the second grade, I begged my parents to let me start piano lessons and have never looked back, knowing from an early age that music and piano would always be part of my life. My job is the best because it is simply an extension of my love for music and wanting to share that love with others. I now have over 30 years of teaching experience in classical piano performance instruction and have been a life-long learner in increasing both my performance and teaching skills over the years. I’ve been privileged to teach all levels and ages of students, preparing some of them for recitals, competitions, and festivals; (many of which have received recognition on the state and national levels) and some of which have gone on to further music study in college. My greatest joy in teaching is when my students discover and develop their own love of music.
"My passion is to make the art of piano playing
accessible to and enjoyable for everyone"
EDUCATION
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Master of Music, Piano Pedagogy and Performance
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University of St. Thomas
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St. Paul, Minnesota
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Bachelor of Science, Piano Performance
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Maranatha Baptist University
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Watertown, Wisconsin
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MEMBERSHIPS
Music Teachers National Association
Colorado State Music Teachers Association
Boulder Area Music Teachers Association
PREVIOUS WORK
Nationally Certified Teacher (through Music Teachers National Association) with over 30 years of teaching experience
Director of Musicapolis Music School in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Developed programs including piano, guitar, choirs, Musikgarten, and summer camp
Vice President for Student Activities of the Colorado State Music Teachers Association
President of the Boulder Area Music Teachers Association in Boulder, Colorado
Co-chair of the Multiple Piano Festival, an event featuring over 200 local student pianists representing over 20 area teachers
Vice president of the South Bend Area Music Teachers Association and on the board of the Hartman-Stickley Memorial Competition and Achievement in Music
Frequent adjudicator at various local competitions and festivals
Performed widely as an accompanist, working with groups such as the 3M Women’s Chorus and Male Chorus, many middle school and high school choirs, and many individual soloists
Has served as a church musician for many years
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OUTSIDE THE STUDIO
I love all things Colorado with my husband, three kids and cute (spoiled) dog Sadie. My studio gives a glimpse into my love for houseplants and books. I also enjoy gardening, kayaking, playing board games with friends and family, and my newest hobby is riding my e-bike on our beautiful Colorado trails.
Lessons
Lessons are on a weekly basis, 30, 45, or 60 minutes in length.
Regular attendance at lessons must be a priority for students in order to ensure success. It is essential that students bring all of their music books and materials to their lesson each week. The full lesson fee will be charged to students who forget to bring their books to the lesson.
If a student must cancel a lesson, a 24-hour notice is necessary to reschedule the lesson or receive credit for the make-up lesson. A student who fails to provide notice (a no-show) will forfeit the lesson without the benefit of a rescheduled lesson or receiving credit for the end-of-semester make-up lesson. Lessons will not be lengthened for late arrivals.
If the teacher must cancel the lesson, the student will be credited, reimbursed, or rescheduled.
Summer lessons are encouraged and are arranged at a mutually convenient time for the student and teacher.
New students are encouraged to begin lessons at any time during the year. Tuition costs will be pro-rated to reflect the number of lessons taken.
SKILLS
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Reading music, treble and bass clefs
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Theory studies
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Technique to develop strong fingers and hands
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Sight-reading
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Improvisation
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Composition
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Ear-training
CALENDAR
There will be thirty-four lessons given from August 2022 through the end of May 2023.
There will be two make-up lessons given throughout the year; one in January and one in May. You are entitled to receive one make-up lesson for any and all lessons you may have missed up to the date of the make-up lesson. If you did not miss any lessons, you will not have a lesson that week.
Lessons will follow the school calendar. There will be a break the week of Thanksgiving; a two-week break for the winter holidays; and a one-week spring break.
Makeup lessons:
December 19-22, 2022
June 2023
PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
I believe public performances are a wonderful way for a student to advance in ability and confidence. At Ice Piano Studio, performances are always upbeat and positive as we gather in community to support and cheer each other on. There are two recital performances a year in which students are invited to participate - our casual and festive Christmas party and our more formal spring recital. In addition to recitals, there are many local opportunities for students to practice and perfect their public performance skills.
ACHIEVEMENT DAY
Achievement Day is an evaluation, not a competition, consisting of a written theory test, an ear-training test, a technical skills evaluation, and the performance of two pieces. The Achievement Day syllabus comprises thirteen skill levels, from the early beginner to the advanced level. The student is awarded a medal and a certificate for the completion of the evaluation.
MULTIPLE PIANO FESTIVAL
A highlight for many students is the annual Multiple Piano Festival, sponsored by the Boulder Area Music Teachers Association. It is a concert of piano duet music performed on twelve grand pianos simultaneously with as many as twenty four students (two at each piano) playing together on a piece led by a conductor. It is an amazing opportunity for students, and one of the only festivals of its kind in the entire state.
RISING STARS FESTIVAL
Rising Stars Festival is sponsored by the Colorado State Music Teachers Association. There are competitive and non-competitive tracks for pre-college students in all instruments and voice.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
At Ice Piano Studio, we love to use our talents to bless others. Periodically throughout the year students perform at local hospitals and area retirement centers to spread the gift of music to our community.