First off, before I get into my experience as a student, let me brag about Angela as a person. She is one of the most genuinely kind and patient individuals you'll ever meet. It didn't matter what kind of day I was having prior to coming to lessons—I always left uplifted. She always treated me with the utmost love, balanced beautifully with high expectations. When I (or my classmates) didn’t meet the goals we set for ourselves, she was kind and understanding, lifting us back up and encouraging us to try again. She is someone I would fully trust in any circumstance.

     As a teacher, Angela was incredible. One thing that stands out is her ability to integrate fun into what can be an incredibly difficult instrument to master. As a kid with my own musical interests, she let me satisfy my curiosity by learning songs I was drawn to, while still assigning me technical pieces that stretched my skills and taste. She recognized the learning styles of her students and tailored her approach to each one. I personally learned well with structure—checklists, clear goals, even “gamified” practice challenges—and she adapted her teaching to fit that. At the same time, she made sure I had a solid foundation in theory and sight-reading, and she created competitions and creative exercises that pushed me to grow. I guarantee I wouldn’t be where I am today if I’d had another teacher, and I’m grateful for the experiences I had with Angela.

Thane T. {Washington}