Susan Bo.

After about one to two years post- accident, I re-taught myself how to play by manipulating around notes/keys since I lost about one inch on both fingers. Actually, I became a better person and pianist because of the accident as it took all my passion, drive, determination and desire as music is who I am. Continued teaching classical lessons during about six months after accident until now and I am sixty-three. Music is my life, from my experience losing a portion of two fingers I do not accept the word “I can’t”, from anyone; from six years old to ninety-nine… if I can they can. My encouragement for any student struggling in any manner musically is multiplied enormously as I had to encourage myself to regain my ability to play piano. There is nothing like sitting behind a piano and/or keyboard; my preference is definitely a piano and a baby grand at that. The sound is not a something that can be described since it is an emotion, passion and part of your soul; it is breathe, hear beat, and oxygen. The emotion and heart that goes into playing is something from within but an analogy is like blood running through our veins.

Following my playing I have student play the piece for me and I tap the beat for them correcting any technical issues needing addressing. Many times I have used cassette tapes to send home with students as well as them returning it to me with their progress from lesson to lesson.

My teaching method may be a little unorthodox as I do not like using a metronome with rhythm issues in my teaching. Typically, depending on the student I have them sit with their eyes closed and listen to me play a piece to absorb the technic, musicality and just the overall sound of the piece. I want students to feel the rhythm as opposed to learning mechanically. Subsequently, I play a second time but this time I have students tap out the(beat) rhythm, on their chair, piano or their head for all I care. If you feel the music you can get the rhythm and all the technical things then fall into place from music books i.e. technical terms, pianissimo, forte, dolce, etc.

Types of music I teach is naturally classical, pop-rock, blue grass, funk, rock and roll (LOVE all Motown Artists), Peter, Paul and Mary, Jackson Brown, Michael Jackson, Elvis, Tom Petty, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, Elton John, Barbara Streisand. Beyonce Lady Gaga (she is very talented) Lionel Richie, Neil Diamond, Tina Turner, Light Country not too twangie, Johnny Cash, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, Usher, (not so much Justin Beiber!!), Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Jim Croce, John Denver, Adam Levine, Amy Whinehouse, Boogie music, such as Bumble boogie, theme songs from stage plays, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, Annie Get Your Guns, South Pacific, Titantic, Exodus, Brahms, Beethoven, Chopin; I could go on and on with musicians and composers I love.

The last I would say ten to fifteen years I started writing and creating my own music with lyrics, however; G-D forgot to give me a voice to sing. My love is to sit in a dark room without lights and transform into a different zone; if anyone turns on the lights I instantly leave that place of musicality until I re-focus. I write pop songs, folk, jazz, praise and worship, and without putting a label on it I just create.

I will always make myself available to students between lessons for pertinent questions by phone or email as well as helping student gain confidence that they CAN no matter how difficult it may seem at first. Let’s face it, some people have a gift and others can learn to play by lessons but either way it is something that is tangible and possible .Piano is relaxing, relieves stress, brings out emotions whether it is pain, love, wisdom, life, sadness, worship, hope and all else. Music is life, art, math and many other components as well. It is all in your will, desire, passion, profession, past time or just for the sheer delight and enjoyment for yourself.