Lisa Van Duyne

Lisa M. Van Duyne - Piano

Preferred Student Age: 6 to senior citizens

Preferred Student Level: Beginner - Early Advanced

How long have you been on Faculty at Sherwood Conservatory of Music?
Since 2008

Briefly describe your musical pursuits outside Sherwood.
Mostly accompaniment work and small recital performances.

What do you want to impart to your students through your teaching?
The love of music and the energy, excitement, and beauty of self-expression.  I want my teaching to encourage and promote pride, self-confidence, and self-discipline through each accomplishment, big or small.  Music builds character, but it should be fun!

Are there specific methods or techniques that you use in your teaching that may be important to share with prospective students?
I draw from a wide range of methods and techniques and put together an individualized plan based on each student's needs.  I include technical and theoretical studies with all repertoire.  This can be on a need-to-know basis for adult avocational students, to required work for beginners to advanced students. 

What do you enjoy most about teaching?
That I am helping someone and giving them a life-long gift.  It is personally rewarding to see the joy on a student's face when they accomplish their assignment or recognize the beaufiful sounds they are making.  We both feel we've accomplished something good; something worth doing. 

What are some of your greatest musical memories?
When I fell in love with the piano--it's the first thing I realized I really loved and definitely could not--would not--live without.  The first time I played was on the baby Grand in my great grandma's sitting room.  She keps a brass Beethoven bust on the piano; I have it now, and it's full of so many good memories of all the music that followed.

Please describe one of your favorite teachers or mentors.
My favorite teacher, mentor, and second mother was Sharon Rogers.  She didn't just teach the piece, she taught the person.  She taught me to teach and to practice smart, and she gave me the self-confidence and belief in myself that I so needed as a performer.  She cared about her students and always wants us to grow through learning. 

What is your favorite type of music?
My favorite composers are Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Scriabin.