Through listening and repetition, each child learns to speak in his native language. A child learns to speak by listening to many as 70 repetitions of a word, phrase or sentence in a given time period. The child must “repeat, rework and reiterate” to ultimately make that word his own and move on to the next. A child does not likely understand the benefit of this repetition, but in time proudly learns each word.

I have taught adults of many ages and assorted levels. Some adult beginners are hesitant at first, but often progress quickly and gain an enriched appreciation of the music that they listen to and what they play on the piano. Most are frequently surprised at how far they go in such a short length of time.

A student can then express that musical understanding in assorted improvised movements. The body becomes a real-time interpreter of the musical concepts expressed through motion. In this educational approach, the student is then ready to bring this well-developed understanding of music to the piano.

Even a quiet speaker nearby may end up heard in the lesson. If the kitchen is next to the piano room, the microphone's software may focus on the sound of water running and oven doors opening and closing rather than the student. Software can also alter the volume of one voice (i.e., the piano student) if it perceives another “participant” speaking (i.e., children running).

It is not only in the rose,
It is not only in the bird,
Not only where the rainbow glows,
Nor in the song of woman heard,
But in the darkest, meanest things
There always, always something sings.

A winner of the coveted Liszt Prize for three consecutive years, his first teaching assignment was at the Liszt Academy.