Before doing the Keys of Life course I’d been teaching piano and music theory privately for around 8 years as well as working as an Integration Aide. Prior to that, I’d held a position in I.T. for around 25 years or so.
In 2018 I had the thought that I could combine my passion for teaching piano with my love of working with children with diverse learning styles and disabilities. I came across the Keys of Life ‘Long Course’ and enrolled for the 2019 course.
I think the most important thing I learnt was to appreciate that all students are unique in their own individual precious way. I often explain to my pianoAbilities families that it’s my job to find the right key to unlock each student’s musical potential. What works for one student won’t necessarily work for the next, so I just move on to the next key. And the more students I meet and work with, the more keys I add to the chain! Sometimes finding
the right key is rather quick, but for other students it can take a while. I’m pretty persistent and working with the super-hero parents is imperative to the process.
I launched pianoAbilities in early 2020. I’m now at a point that I have to tell prospective parents I’m currently full (which saddens me to turn families away). Prior to COVID I had just 3 students who enjoyed online lessons throughout 2020. I now have 19 weekly students and run a group keyboard lesson for two young ladies who enjoy the session for social development and fun.
What have I learnt during this time? Lots! Firstly, never give up! Keep learning, keep trying, keep working with the families, love the students as if they are your own children, encourage them, even let them take charge of the lesson every now and then, greet them with a big smile, laugh, sing, dance, play games, be silly, and most importantly, allow them to experience success no matter how big or small, because at the end of the day, we play a vital role in bringing music education to an amazing cohort of students.
The Keys of Life organisation helped me immensely in making my passion project a reality.
The course allowed me to consolidate what I already knew about working with students with additional learning needs, but also provided me with a program to guide and frame my teaching. The observation sessions were most helpful and the weekly student concerts an absolute highlight!
I would encourage any voice or instrumental teacher needing some extra assistance, strategies and confidence to work with students with diverse learning styles or disabilities to partake in the Keys of Life ‘long course’.