Throughout the course of my life, I have had many wonderful teachers. My pre-kay teacher, Ms. Chell, with her welcoming smile encouraged me to try different foods. My English teacher in high school, Mr. Bennet, challenged me to question things and discover my “why.” Throughout college both times, I have had wonderful professors that encouraged me to be my best and genuine self.
However, Ms. Banks, my classical piano teacher made quite an impact on me as a young child. She was my second piano teacher. My first piano teacher, Dunz Ridel taught me basic sight reading and after several levels of the Schuman books, we migrated to popular songs. It was the era of George Benson’s “This Masquerade,” and Michael Masser’s “Theme from Mahogany,” which Diana Ross sang at the time.
I learned that I needed to be humble to learn new things. An emptying out of my cup so I can fill it with new knowledge. I remember during our first lesson; Ms. Banks asked me if I knew how to play Beethoven’s Fur Elise. I was excited to play the simplified version I had learned from my previous teacher for her. She then tells me this is the piece we will be learning. I told her I already knew it. She pulls out the proper sheet music and begins to play the original version. Then she asks me if I want to continue playing my simplified version. From then on, I was hooked!
Ms. Banks had some great ideals and insisted I learn to read the Hanon preface in German. She taught me from the age of nine until I graduated high school. She would have annual recitals and an annual tea where she would have other singers and musicians perform. I wound up playing for my high school graduation. It is because of her foundation of teaching me scales and technique that I attended a music school for college and have made music my career.
Ms. Banks taught me more than just music, she taught me to have integrity in teaching others. She taught me time management and how to set goals and reach them. And she encouraged me to follow my dreams.
Vela Patria 