my story

I started formal piano lessons at 6 years old because my parents wanted me to play, but I fell in love with piano at 12 years old due to a teacher that was passionate about the piano herself. I played in competitions, for churches, performances, and events, and connected with the classical and traditional music I was learning. I began teaching piano as well and realized teaching was one of the most deeply fulfilling experiences.

I stopped teaching piano when I finished my bachelor’s degree, worked for a non-profit, and then moved to Humboldt County to be an elementary school teacher. However, after three years, I left my teaching job and started reconnecting to my creative roots and taking on piano students again.

I had taught piano for over 10 years, but I realized that something was missing with piano teaching. Students left feeling forced into practice, trudging their way through scales and theory, or nervous to leave their comfort zones.

I wanted to leave students in love with the magic of music, the pull of creative energy. As I was reigniting my own creative passions and getting to know myself better, I wanted to inspire my students to do the same. So I dived into getting to know students more holistically and created resources and methods that matched them. I started Studio M, a purposeful piano studio, to focus on helping students on their creative journeys to connect with their true selves fully.