I’ve been Nominated for Three “Power of a Piano Teacher” awards sponsored by the Francis Clark Center at the New School for Music Study!

The Nationally recognized Francis Clark Center for Music Study located in Kingston, NJ has started the Power of a Piano Teacher Award to honor the “extraordinary contributions of piano teachers from communities large and small, village to sprawling urban centers, and from countries around the world. These inspirational, personal stories amplify the impact that piano teachers have on their communities in countless ways for generations.” (page 27, The Piano Magazine, Winter 2022-2034, Vol. 14, No. 4). My first nomination by the family of current student Paz Rivas was featured on the Piano Magazine website beginning December 4th! Here is the link. The following week I was nominated by the family of Harvey Houghton who lives in Phoenix, AZ, and zoom in weekly for lessons. This month, January 2023, the nomination by the Lindenmayer family was featured in print in The Piano Magazine. All of these words are truly inspiring and I am eternally grateful for this recognition. From “Penny has been a blessing in my daughter’s life. Penny has helped her gain confidence and has created a sense of discipline, consistency, and fun in learning that was and continues to be so important to her right now. Last but not least, Penny is patient and kind, and my daughter loves learning how to play piano. Penny is so special, she approaches each lesson with such enthusiasm and passion after so many years of teaching (especially with the youngest students). We are grateful to have found her, and Newburyport is lucky to have her” and “Penny is a phenomenal piano teacher and a gift to our family’s life, and “Teacher Penny has deeply enriched the lives of my elementary school children and those of so many others through her piano lessons. They are developing a love of music and an appreciation for the power of practice and dedication to a craft. Honoring Penny in this way is the least we can do to thank her for the gift she gives my children every week” I continue to reflect on this trust and faith placed in me as I endeavor to be a memorable and affective teacher of music.