Just as before the covid-19 pandemic, we currently meet in my multi-room studio spaces at my Renton house. Schools are open and so we are back to meeting inside for lessons. Precautions we exercise include hand washing, fresh air, the use of two pianos, keyboard cleaning between students and occasional mask wearing. From time to time, we will have lessons in the garage studio if more fresh air is needed or desired.

Starting in the Spring of 2020, the pandemic led us to be creative with our teaching spaces. First, we met in my backyard for lessons using two digital pianos, snare drums and a drumset under a gazebo covering. Then, beginning in the Fall of 2020 and continuing to the present, we are meeting for lessons in my fresh air "Garage Studio" where I have two digital pianos, a marimba, two drumsets, snare drums and more.

Keeping up with the WA state protocols, we wear masks and face shields, wash our hands, use hand sanitizer, clean surfaces with bleach, have fresh air circulating, and use separate instruments and materials. In addition, I am fully vaccinated and I recommend that when possible, students should also receive the vaccine.

In-person lessons are vastly better from an educational and communicative standpoint. When not possible, I also meet with students remotely via zoom or facetime.

Study piano with Amy from the very beginning or come back to it as an adult. I teach students of all ages, beginning at about 5 years old. First or Second grade is a great time to start learning music and piano is the ultimate beginning instrument. We will learn to read treble and bass clefs, understand musical symbols, play with others using aural skills and comprehend the music we hear in the world around us.

Preferred method books are those of Thompson, Bastien, Faber & Faber, Burnum, Schaum, Hanon, Czerny and others plus classical repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern periods. Multiple recital performances are given by the studio each year, with a focus on seasonal or holiday themes.

In addition, I offer monthly "challenges" to students on themes such as scales, arpeggios, musical symbols, sight-reading and more where they challenge themselves to pass the set criteria. In the summer months, we have optional game nights where we gather outside to play Music Bingo or have a daytime summer camp.

My goal is to prepare students musically for whatever their future holds: a career as a pianist or professional musician, a life in the arts or just an enthusiast. Maybe your child starts on the piano but switches to the trumpet later? They will be prepared musically to make the move when it's time.

For 8 years, I hosted the NW Mallet Camp in Tacoma, WA. Focusing on keyboard percussion, we had a theme each year and multiple guest artists. Thank you to all of the wonderful teachers, artists and students who participated from 2010-2018.

Studying drums and drumset is completely immersive when we play together on two setups. We focus on the fundamentals of drumming and rhythm and how to play in an ensemble. Reading musical notation and styles in rudimental and concert settings are integrated in the repertoire and techniques are included throughout.