Name: | Anne Levy | Title: | Mrs Whelan - A Gifted Teacher | Testimonial: | How can I describe your teaching style !!!!
Through all these years (almost 10), you have taught Leah the skills in order for her to discover MUSIC... You have given her the tools to be able to master piano pieces but also and what is the most important for me, is that she has learned how to listen to herself and is now able to appreciate her own interpretation on a piece after being guided by you.
For us, your relationship with Leah was not just a piano teacher and her student, you have given her self confidence, about what she could accomplish (from winning a piano competition) to enjoying playing in front of total strangers. You have given her the gift of enjoying music and using it in her own emotional development .
You also have guided Leah in all different forms of music from classical to more contemporary and even introduced her to composition which allowed her to win this past year at Carnegie Hall.
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Name: | Karen Chi | Title: | Mrs. Whelan - Teacher, Mentor, Friend | Testimonial: | Mrs. Whelan took me under her wing when I was in 6th grade and ever since, she has been my teacher, mentor, friend, and inspiration.
Over the years, Mrs. Whelan has redefined my perspective of and purpose for playing the piano. The first question she ever asked me – besides the one asking me to play a piece for her – was: “Why do you play piano?” I remember this moment so well because I was unable to answer, in part because I was shy but more so because I had previously only known practicing piano for auditions and competitions and not for the sake of playing an instrument I enjoy.
Mrs. Whelan changed this for me. She taught me to view practice and lessons as “an investment”, not as a means to reach a short-term goal; and since, I have come to love playing the piano more and more.
Mrs. Whelan is unlike any other piano instructor. She has her own, special teaching style. She doesn’t simply sit, listen to us play, and then offer her advice afterward; she is completely engaged in the music. And, she always engages us too! She will enthusiastically conduct us through the song or sing the notes to make us focus on melody and harmony or even impersonate people and act out her interpretations of the music, all to help us understand what we play and why we play it a certain way.
There is hardly ever a dull moment during our lessons together and as a senior, I know for certain that I will miss my weekly hour piano lesson. However, thanks to Mrs. Whelan, I will definitely continue to play and practice the piano whenever I can to fulfill the investment I have made with her.
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