It all started with a little red toy piano.

I was three years old. I received a red toy piano for my birthday.

I can't describe how fascinated I was with this little instrument. It was as if this toy was calling to me.

I really wanted a teacher. Of course, being a child in the 1960s (oops - now you can guess how old I really am!) meant that no one would take on a child that young.

On top of that, my dad was in the military - and overseas in the Vietnam War. Not a good time. My parents were not particularly musical. They were very PRACTICAL. Being in the military meant moving around. Pianos were big and heavy at that time.

So I started playing little songs on my toy piano. I was even given a music book - John Thompson’s “Teaching Little Fingers to Play.” I figured out several of the songs on this toy piano.

I did not start formal lessons until I was nine! My parents bought an upright, HEAVY piano very similar to this one:

I remember it was rosewood, lots of carvings, and ivory keys. I was in heaven!

Unfortunately, my first teacher was an alcoholic - and did not teach me how to count. I breezed through five books of John Thompson, and one Schaum book in three years.

It was discouraging to not be able to count! I quit piano, and joined band and choir. By this time, my family had opted for a Baldwin Acrosonic spinet. The piano still had a pull on my heart.

Enter the Perfect Piano Teacher

I was so blessed to start studying with Pearl Peveler. She filled in the gaps (there were many.). She gave me a solid foundation in classical repertoire, duet repertoire, improvisation, transposition, and theory. She made piano fun!

With her support, I entered Guild and many local festivals. She truly prepared me for college. Most of all - she gave me back my love of piano.

Since then, I have had many pianos, both acoustic and digital. My job now is to inspire and pass on the love of music to young people, just like Mrs. Peveler did for me and so many others.