Well, now that i have you here, let me tell you a bit about myself !

Musical Background:

 My parents put me in piano lessons when I was 7 years old, gr. 2 in school. I first studied with "Laura" (its been so long now I can't remember her last name) and can still remember the Bastien Primer Books she had me begin with. I learned from her for only a short time before switching teachers to Gerry Thompson in Vancouver. She took me through the early levels of the Royal Conservatory up to Grade 3 and while doing so introduced me to the composer Beethoven. I would spend the time waiting for my sister's lesson to finish by studying him and writing out his biography. After two years with Mrs. Thompson I again switched teachers to Kathy Klassen in Abbotsford. Kathy really progressed my learning up to the Grade 8 level. When taking grade 7 RCM I completed my first RCM exam and continued achieving exams until my ARCT. After gr. 8 I again switched teachers to Jean Ritter. As I worked on my grade 9 RCM exam with her I was also introduced to her Teaching Apprenticeship Program. This was a two-summer program where she introduced teenagers, who had completed their grade 8 exams, to the art of teaching the instrument we had spent years learning ourselves. Under her careful guidance I took on my first three students when I was 14 years old. Jean's Academy of Music was born that same year and for the next 10 years I considered it a privilege to have been a part of such a venture. Jean gave me the wings I needed to start my own studio, Key Sounds Studio, in 2003 after graduating from Columbia Bible College. I stayed working at Jean's Academy of Music while working on Key Sounds Studio and working towards my ARCT with Lillian Rogalsky of Abbotsford. Lillian's approach to perfection in the art of the piano instilled an appreciation for the technique and methods needed to bring about success in practice, and life.  Jean Ritter and Lillian Rogalsky are two of the greatest piano teachers I have had the blessing to work with and for.

While working on my ARCT a fellow teacher within the BC Registered Music Teaching Association was diagnosed with cancer and, along with two other student teachers, I was asked to help her run her piano studio as her health was waning. Tamara Moore will always be the inspiration and mentor that guided me to be the teacher I am today. The experience I gained from teaching in her studio has set the strongest foundation of all my teachers combined. At this time I was also going to Edward Parker in Vancouver to study a more in-depth approach to teaching piano called Pedagogy. Using his information combined with the methods Tamara and Lillian were teaching me, I attained my completed ARCT in 2005 and became a Registered Music Teacher for the BC Registered Music Teachers Association that same year. 

In 2009 I met and married the love of my life, Justin Cole, and in 2011 we welcomed our first child, Aeryn, into our family. In June 2013 we introduced a new addition to our family, William and have been on quite a roller-coaster as we learn how to be parents to two amazing children. 

To this day I have been playing the piano for 33 years and teaching for 26. My greatest joy is in seeing my students achieve greatness. To hear them once saying "I can't" and then that same student smiling broadly as they realize they CAN! To hear notes be turned into a musical expression, to see children grow into young adults who are perseverant, dedicated, love music, and have a sense of self-confidence in their abilities. I absolutely love it!!

My students have the choice of participating in either the Abbotsford Music Festival or do an exam each year. Of course these options are available to those who are at a certain level of achievement and prove that they have the dedication to complete these challenges. Exams take place four times throughout the year and the exact dates can be found on the RCM website (located on the Resources page). I also encourage students working on Grade 4 RCM or higher to look into theory instruction as well. If a student completed the prerequisites for a certain grade, completing the practical examination can get them extra credits towards their high school graduation. This is a big benefit to home school students and those who may want extra credit. Contact me if you would like to know any more information regarding the Theory Courses.

So now you know a little about me! I can't wait to meet YOU !