Teacher Referral
Choosing A Music Teacher For Your Child or Yourself
Compiled by Marti Dudgeon, Texas Independent Music Teacher Forum Chair (2007-2010)
How Do I Find the Right Teacher?
You will want a teacher who will inspire and nurture a student's musical growth and instill lifelong love of music.
When seeking a music teacher:
- Consult with friends, family and others who who are acquainted with teachers in your community.
- Ask for recommendations from local music teacher organizations, music stores, schools or churches.
- Arrange to interview prospective teachers, in person if possible, before making a commitment.
- Ask permission to attend a recital of the prospective teacher’s students.
- Ask permission to observe them teaching a lesson.
How do I Interview Prospective Teachers?
Teachers are willing and eager to explain their techniques and objectives.
The following are types of questions to ask during the interview:
- What is your professional and educational experience in music?
- What is your teaching experience? What age groups do you teach?
- How do you participate in ongoing professional development?
- Do you have a written studio policy? Will you review it with me?
- Do you regularly evaluate student progress?
- What instructional materials do you use?
- What kinds of music do you teach?
- Do you offer group lessons?
- Do you require students to perform in studio recitals during the year?
- Do you offer other performance opportunities for your students, such as festivals and competitions?
- Do you use technology in your studio, such as computers, music instruction software, and digital keyboards?
- How much practice time do you require each day?
- What do you expect of your students? Their parents?
- What are the fees for lessons, and other materials used?
- Can parents observe lessons?
What is the Parent’s Role?
Parental support in the learning process is vital whether or not you know anything about music.
- Take time to listen to your child play.
- Provide exclusive practice time on a quality instrument.
- Celebrate his or her continued accomplishments.
- Encourage sharing of their musical gift and talent.
Benefits of Music Study:
- Hearing music stimulates the mind.
- Music instruction enhances abstract reasoning skills.
- Grade school students who took music lessons generally scored higher on cognitive development tests.
- In older people, music helps lower depression and decreases loneliness.
- Playing an instrument strengthens eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills.
- Music lessons teach discipline, dedication and enable students to achieve goals.
This is a list of NORTH teachers who have openings and have requested a listing. If you are an ADMTA member and wish to be listed, OR if you have openings but prefer NOT to be listed on the website, contact Kay Rivers Kidd at kayrivers@me.com.
Teachers are listed by zip code. Contact the teacher for more specific information:
Itinerant Teachers (contact for travel area)
Julianne Brown
512-832-6755 (home office) or 512-921-6040 (mobile)
Will travel south to areas by Wm Cannon, Hwy 360, Steiner Ranch development
Piano and Voice
Vernon H. Moeller
Associate in the American Guild of Organists; MM in Music Theory & Composition - UT Austin
512-331-9715
Will travel to all points in 20 mile radius of 183 & Anderson Mill Rd, incl Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park and Leander
Piano, Theory, Organ
Andres Vargas
MM in Piano Performance & Pedagogy - Baylor Univ
254-722-0558
8801 N. FM 620 Apt. 515
Teaching any age and level in Westlake Hills and Northwest Austin
Piano
78626
Patricia Dolan
512-818-9522
Georgetown 78626
Piano, Theory
78639
Mary Keelan
325-248-1300
115 Eagle Point Drive
Kingsland, 78639
Piano
78641
Mary Adams
512-567-0685
616 N. Baker Circle
Leander 78641
Piano, Digital Piano, Group Piano, Music Education, Elem Music, Preschool Music, Pedagogy
78660
Sukyee Woo, DMA
512-252-9819
604 Galway Bay Cove
Pflugerville 78660
Piano, Music Theory
78705
Matt McLaughlin
512-638-3716
North Central Austin (78705)
Piano, Music Theory
78717
Hicks-Chernysheva-Hicks Piano Performance Academy
Dr. Eric Hicks emhicks@hotmail.com
Ms. Irinia Chernysheva-Hicksichernysheva@hotmail.com
512-255-1088
17220 Ennis Trail (Avery Ranch East)
Piano Performing Skills, Theory, History
Ann Hung
512-694-2554
120 Azimuth Drive, Austin
Teaching around RR620 and Great Oaks (near Round Rock)
Piano, Theory
78723
Gordon Sparber
MM, DMA - Peabody Conservatory; Piano Performance
512-366-5679
University Hills, Austin 78723
Piano, Music Theory
78727
Lisa Shirah-Hiers
Bachelor's in Composition/Theory - Lawrence Univ; MM Composition - UT Austin
512-832-0207
12802 Meehan Drive, Austin
Teaching near Parmer Lane and Metric Blvd.
Piano, Theory, Composition
Dr. Brooks Whitmore
DMA in Piano Performance
5105 Ponderosa Parkway, Austin 78727
Teaching in Northwest Austin
78729
Nancy Driver, NCTM
331-5393
8102 Elkhorn Mountain Trail (Near 183 & McNeil)
MM in Piano Performance - UT Austin; Nationally Certified Teacher of Music
Piano
Brenda J. Hohman
bjhmusicstudio.musicteachershelper.com
512-335-7726
8005 Buckshot Trail, Austin, TX 78729
Teach in NW Austin, McNeil & 183 area
Piano, Music Theory, Accompaniment
Christy Jackel
512-422-8049
8308 Coriander Cove
Ages 4-adult; willing to drive to students' homes
Piano, Music Theory
Lisa Richards
austinkeyboardorchestra@yahoo.com
512-698-8263
Teaching in NW Austin
Private & Group Piano, Guitar, Music Theory
78731
Karol Ann Badgett
DMA, UT - Austin; MM, TX Southern; BM, UT - Austin
6208A Shadow Valley Drive
Piano, theory/composition tutorials
Felicity Coltman
LRSM, LTCL, ULM, BMus
512-454-1563
4925 Strass Drive
Central/Northwest studio between 45th and Hancock just east of MoPac
All ages and all levels accepted. Students prepared for ABRSM exams.
Piano, theory, chamber music, musicianship
Carolyn Johnson
512-453-9696
Teaching in Central West Austin
Piano and Music Theory, Classical and Improvised Styles
Idee Kwak
512-453-5207
Northwest Austin
Piano, Music Theory, Composition
Priscilla Moffett
Home: 512-323-0384
Cell: 208-659-1217
4905 Westfield Dr, Austin, 78731
Studio between 45th and Hancock just east of MoPac
Piano, Music Theory
Katherine Race
512-453-8116
5904 Tumbling Circle, Austin 78731
Northwest Austin, close to Loop 1 (2244) and Balcones Dr
Piano
Mary Robbins, DMA, NCTM
http://web.me.com/rtgarbs/Mary_Robbins/Mozart_Articulation.html
512-452-9086
2600 La Ronde Pkwy, Austin, 78731-5924
Teaches all styles, esp Mozart performance, in North Central Austin
Piano
78750
Dr Harold Orozco
512-257-9098
Anderson Mill area
Piano (all levels)
Martha Blair Roberts
Certified by the National Music Teachers Association
512-258-3273
9106 Clearock Drive, Austin 78750
RRISD close to Spicewood Elementary School
Piano
78752
Tony Tobin, DMA
BM - Eastman; MM - USC; DMA - UT Austin
512-585-8477
500 East Anderson Lane, Austin, 78752
Piano
78753
Amanda Fernald
512-627-4905
Teaches in North Austin (78753) and Round Rock (78681)
Piano
Sheryl Stack
512-698-6685
12820 N. Lamar
MM Applied Piano, MM Collaborative Piano - UT Austin
Piano, Collaborative Piano, Organ, Church Music, Chamber Music, Music Theory
78756
Mary Pinkney Bradford
512-453-1828
5424 Shoal Creek Blvd
NCTM, Student Affiliate
Allandale, on Shoal Creek Blvd between Hancock & 2222
Piano, Group Piano, Music Theory
Marty McAllister
512-374-9250
4410 Maybelle Avenue
Central Austin, Rosedale area near Burnet Rd & 45th
Beginning and intermediate students of all ages
Teaches Music Expressions classes during the day for home-schoolers
Piano
78757
Brett Bachus, LLCM, LTCL, ALCM
512-454-2533
Bachus Conservatory, 8000 Anderson Sq, #113, Austin 78757
North Central, N. Lamar/Research
London College of Music Representative for South Central United States.
Piano, Cello
78759
Julia Monk
512-374-9250
3517 Hyridge Drive, Austin, 78759
Near 183 & MoPac
Beginning and advanced students
Piano, Music Theory
This is a list of SOUTH teachers who have openings and have requested a listing. If you are an ADMTA member and wish to be listed, OR if you have openings but prefer NOT to be listed on the website, contact Patricia McNicol at mcnicol@austingrad.com.
Teachers are listed by zip code. Contact the teacher for more specific information:
78640 (Kyle/Buda/South Austin)
Jessica Pace
Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy
512-922-6488
500 New Country Road, Kyle, 78640
Piano, Music Theory
78652 (Manchaca/South Austin)
Artina Hunter-McCain
BM - SMU; MM - Cleveland Institute of Music; DMA - UT Austin
214-529-3024
Piano, Music Theory, Performance Injuries
78735
Sarah Lepp
BM, MM in Piano Performance - UT Austin
512-351-0135
Teaching primarily in Travis Country, Circle C & Barton Creek
Piano
78741
Anne Adams Notario
512-395-8251
Home is off East Riverside
Piano
78746
Marlee Dietz
ADMTA Teacher of the Year 1993-94; Outstanding Pre-Collegiate Teacher 1996-97
512-327-0322 (Res)
512-992-8389 (Mobile)
2305 Trail of the Madrones (Westlake Hills)
Piano
Hicks-Chernysheva-Hicks Piano Performance Academy
1358 The High Road (Westlake Hills)
Dr. Hicks emhicks@hotmail.com
Ms. Irinia Chernysheva-Hicks ichernysheva@hotmail.com
512-255-1088
78748
Ryan Gee
512-736-9154
3114 Festus Drive (near Bowie HS), Austin
Head Choir Director, Bowie High School
Classical Piano, Jazz Piano, Music Theory & Composition, Voice
Beth Hotchkiss
Beth@sharingtheloveofmusic.com
512-660-3149
BA in Instrumental Music Ed - Univ N Carolina at Greensboro, NC Music Teaching Certificate, TX certification pending
Teaching flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, trumpet, horn, baritone, trombone, tuba and piano
Anna Ford Larson
512-280-4796
9306 Canus Drive, Austin 78748
Teaching in South & Southwest Austin - serving Circle C, Meridian, Shady Hollow, as well as 78745 area.