Piano

Trained in classical piano, I attended college for Bachelors and Masters degrees. I have been a member of Music Teachers' Association of CA for 30 years. My students learn the language of music and participate in recitals, Certificate of Merit, Piano Guild, and any other opportunities they can prepare for. I feel that children can learn to be good at something even if they are not meant to be professional musicians. There are no doctor lessons or architect lessons for children. Piano uses and trains the body as well as the ear, and demands concentration at the level of the child.

I have been a professional singer and musician since 8th Grade where I was a church organist and cantor. I played in a recording session for Capitol Records in High School which changed my life, and then auditioned at Kent State University in Ohio and received a scholarship for the School of Music. I worked my way through college by singing in local places. Perhaps because my voice teachers were inspiring, I wanted to help young singers to prepare for whatever their goals were. That remains my motivation today.

"I am an OA2 Records artist, a national jazz label. For 10 years I have been the leader, composer, and arranger for Amy Stephens Group jazz quartet (www.amystephens.com). ASG has performed live at jazz festivals and concert series throughout the Midwest and Northwest. We've recorded 3 CD's of my original jazz songs, all with national reviews and airplay.

I also have 15 years experience as a music director, pianist and worship leader at churches in the Midwest, Seattle and San Francisco.

Sarah Stiles believes students are unique individuals, each with their own learning style and inherent potentiality. She has worked with ages 6-70. Her teaching approach provides structured lessons with fun, encouraging interaction, fosters development of fundamental skills, like reading, technique, and scales, and encourages expression and meaning through interpretation, imagination, and creativity.

Besides voice, Dorothy also teaches beginning piano to adults who never had piano as children.

I am a vocalist, pianist and choral director. I hold an M.A in choral conducting from California State University, Los Angeles, a B.A. in Music from California State University San Jose, and an Orff Certificate from UC Santa Cruz. Previously, I directed the elementary music program at Windrush School in El Cerrito, where I taught piano, in addition to arranging and conducting the music for two elementary choruses, and a middle school jazz choir. I have worked professionally as a jazz singer, studied classical vocal repertoire, and perform when the opportunity arises.

Dedicated to my private students ranging in age from 8 to 85 years old, they include flute students aspiring to be professional performers and adult or young players enthusiastically loving every new song they learn. I equally enjoy working with reed players honking out their first notes, piano players discovering new patterns, and elementary students excited to practice pieces for their school band.