Kerri Beebe - Pianist/Teacher

Thoughts on the Art of Teaching

2010-09-25T05:51:00.000-05:00

Often, while reflecting after a piano lesson, it is reaffirmed for me that teaching really IS an art. At least, good teaching is an art. It requires full presence and direction. When I am teaching, I am not a student, wife, sister, or daughter. I am only part of the moment. I see and hear a vision of my goal for my students, and I employ whatever method necessary to direct my student toward that goal. In addition to steering my students toward my vision for them, I also must invite my students to direct their own playing toward THEIR goals. I must remember to ask my students to hear in their mind's ears what they want to hear BEFORE playing. Each week in a lesson, I start a train of action that continues through the week and over which I have no control.

Teaching is an art, but it is a collaborative art. Each week, I start a train of action that continues through the week, and over which I have no control. Teaching is more like gardening than like sculpting, and yet it is like sculpting too. Perhaps it is more like gardening manicured gardens and topiaries. The time between lessons over which I have no control is imperative. The constant gardener would have a dead garden. As a piano teacher, I put a mark on an artist, but the finished product is not mine.

New Friends New Life

2009-10-11T15:55:00.001-05:00

This Thursday evening, October 15th, I will be playing at an art auction to raise funds for the organization New Friends New Life. The auction will be in a home in the Highland Park area of Dallas. I was asked to volunteer to play at the event by my piano professor, Dr. Carol Leone, who thought it would be a great opportunity for me to practice playing my recital repertoire in public. When I looked at the organization's website to get more information, I watched a video about what they do and was literally moved to tears.

New Friends New Life is a loving, supportive organization that helps women transition out of jobs in sex-related industry (club dancers, prostitutes, etc.). The organization covers their basic living expenses while they go to school to train for other jobs. The women and their children come each week to a meeting and to have dinner together. The children have a special activity, and the women have a class and a bible study. They nurture positive friendships and gain self-confidence. The positive changes that these women make in their lives have a profound impact on their well-being and that of their children.

I am humbled, honored, and excited to be able to donate my time and talents to such an inspiring organization! When I watched the video, what struck me was the incredible amount of love that is poured into this organization and out to these women. It made me think about my own life and how I want to make a difference.

I love my piano students, and am convinced that I make a difference in my lessons. Students feel a sense of accomplishment, acceptance, and recognition. For 45 solid minutes, they have the undivided attention of a caring adult - something that some children don't get as often as they should. But, I also realized that I want to love farther than that. I want not only to love people within my piano studio, but to use my piano studio to love the community around me. I have this image in my mind of someone pouring water from a tall ladder. Although they pour the water down onto one small spot, the water splashes and a wide area gets wet. This is what I want to create with my piano studio, except that I'm not standing on a ladder, and the water is really love.

I am still in the brainstorming process right now, and I've come up with a few exciting ideas! For example, I'm thinking of offering an option where each student can add between $5-$15 onto his or her tuition each month that I will match and send to Blood:Water Mission, a wonderful organization that builds clean water projects in Africa. (So the student gives $5 extra, but $10 will go to BW:M.) I have many other ideas too, that would reach out to more of the local community, but some are still in the research stage. I will write more as they solidify. I also invite suggestions!

Look out Nashville - Here I come!!!

2009-10-11T00:48:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, and welcome to my blog! I looked at my calendar today, and realized that I have ten more weeks of being a grad student in Dallas before I will move to my new home - Nashville! This blog is my effort to make my move as soon as possible. I plan to open my piano studio in January 2010, and would love to be recruiting students already. In addition to teaching piano, I also love to play for weddings and special events, and also accompany other musicians. Here is a preview of what I will be offering beginning in January 2010:

Private Piano Lessons for pre-college students. These lessons will be held weekly in 45-minute segments. Students will learn to play musically and expressively in a variety of styles with solid, healthy technique. Students will participate in periodic group activities and performances.

Private Piano Lessons for adults. Private lessons for adult students will be offered in a variety of packages to accomodate people with busy or hectic schedules. Adult students are partners in their own learning, collaborating with me to decide the content and direction of the lessons. Performances will be optional.

Group Piano Lessons for adults - Piano for fun! These classes are designed for adult students who want to learn to play the piano in a fun, stress-free, social environment. Students will be playing the piano from the very first class! Classes are small and no prior musical experience is necessary. Classes will meet once per week for one hour.

Wedding music. I absolutely love playing at weddings! It is an honor for me to provide music on such a special day. For wedding ceremonies, I typically play up to one hour of prelude music (music before the ceremony), followed by the processionals for the family, bridal party, and bride. Depending on the desires of the couple, I then play special music during the ceremony - either accompanying a soloist or playing alone. At the end of the ceremony, a recessional is played while the wedding party walks back down the aisle. I am happy to meet with the bride and groom to help them select their wedding music, which can be done in a variety of styles, either classical or contemporary. I am also available to play music for the cocktail hour or reception.

Music for special events. I enjoy providing background music in various styles for a wide variety of special events, such as holiday parties, art gallery open houses, luncheons, teas, cocktail parties, or banquets!

Please check back on my blog for further updates and additional information. Also, please share this blog with anyone you know who might be looking either for a piano teacher or for a pianist to play at a special event. Thank you! I look forward to seeing you in Nashville!