If you live near central Iowa, and are looking for a music teacher, you have come to the right place. I gave my first music lesson on June first, 2004. Since then I have throughly enjoyed my role as a private music teacher! It has been a wonderful learning journey for both my students and I. Every one of my students have been a joy to get to know, and we have a good time learning together.

About Me
At 6 1/2 years old, and wanting to do all my older sister did, I started piano lessons. I enjoyed them so much that I was very disappointed when, 11 years later, my piano teacher told me she had no more she could teach me. Stopping lessons, however, didn't keep me from continuing to play whenever I got a chance.

When I was 12, my sister and I bought our first violin. I was thrilled - playing the violin was something I had been dreaming of ever since I had had the opportunity to try one out about a year earlier. I have had 3 different violin/fiddle teachers, as well as numerous other helpful musicians giving me tips throughout the years. I have also gone to Indianapolis several times to experience playing in an orchestra and for classes. I confess that I still have a long way to go before I begin to master the instrument, but I throughly enjoy passing what I do know on to others!

When I'm not listening to, teaching, or playing music, some of the other things I enjoy doing are spending time outdoors, helping out with our family business Pauls Grains, my Nubian milk goat herd, making tatted bookmarks, and just spending time with my family in whatever they may be doing at the time.

My goals in teaching?
My desire is for each of my students to have the ability to (1)play their instruments well, (2)be relaxed, and (3)enjoy it - all at the same time. I center all my teaching around the fact that God made our bodies to function in a certain way. When we work with our bodies and not against them, it makes producing music not only so much easier, but the end result is also so much more beautiful and pleasing to the ear!

What do I teach?
I teach piano, violin and fiddle. The kinds of music I teach include classical and hymns, bluegrass and old-time fiddle. If you'd like to learn a musical style that is not listed above, let me know.

Instruction Rates
$8.00/half hour lesson
$12.00/45 min. lesson
$16.00/60 min. lesson

15 min. lessons at $5.00 each are available for younger beginning piano students.

If the cost is too much for your current budget, let me know the circumstances, and I'll see what I can do. I don't want anyone that really wants to learn an instrument to be turned away because of the price.

Availability
I try to limit my students to a number that will allow me to give each individual attention and specially prepare lessons for each when needed. I am almost always able to accept new students right away, but if I don't have a timeslot open, I will put you on a waiting list.

What age is a good age to start?
I'll start off by saying that each child is different. Generally it is somewhere between 6 and 8 years old that children develope the hand-eye cordination and attention span that I feel are needed to make it worth the money for lessons. My parents started taking me to piano lessons when I was six. However, I feel I was only ready for lessons then because my older sister had been taking lessons for a year and I had been exposed to her lessons and practice. Besides, I was so excited about the idea!

On the other hand, I believe no one is ever too old to enjoy music, or to learn if they have the physical capability and desire to. I have taught several adults who have gotten a lot of enjoyment out of learning to play an instrument as a hobby.

Unable to make it to lessons each week?
Weekly lessons are best for making the most progress on your instrument. But if you live a long distance away, you don't have the funds, or your schedule just does not allow for lessons every week, don't give up the whole idea of learning. Bi-weekly lessons, or even once a month may be an option. Just let me know what would work best for you and I'll check my schedule to see if I can work it out.

Just Want To Have Fun Playing Music?
In our household we have 4 pianists, a mandolin player, banjo picker, 2-3 violinists/fiddlers, and a guitar strummer. We thoughly enjoy jamming with others (both beginners and pros), so if you're in the area and would like to stop in to compare music, technics or ideas, let us know! We play classical, sacred, old time fiddle, bluegrass.

Contact Information
Drop me a note 4JoyfulStrings@paulsgrains.com to ask me any questions you might have, to set up a lesson time, or to ask for dirrections to our place. We live 15 minutes south of Marshalltown, 50 minutes northeast of Des Moines, 25 minutes northeast of Newton, and 25 minutes northwest of Grinnell. I am looking forward to meeting each one of you!

"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."
~Psalm 37:5~

Thank you...
I would like to thank my parents for making the decision to take my siblings and I to lessons week in and week out, and for putting up with our endless practicing. The noises my siblings and I make are not always lovely. : )

Thank you to all of my tutors, for passing your knowledge on to me. My piano teacher in particular, was an excellent example in music and being a patient teacher, as well as Katie H. (OH), Mrs. Gardner (GA), and Bethany B.(MO). I wish I could list them all. Each of my teachers have shaped my life in a very special way.

God used many people, but one woman in particular, to encourage me to make that initual decision to give lessons. If it wasn't for her I would not have begun, and would have missed out on wonderful opportunities. Thank you!

My students. I have learned so much from each of my students, and many times they have brightened my day. Thank you for sharing your lives with me.

I could not end this column without mentioning my Lord. When I chose to accept His gift of eternal life He gave me purpose for living each day, He became my personal Friend, and it is He who keeps me going when life gets tough. Thank you God!

Our family sells fresh-ground cereals, flours and snacks here -- Paul's Grains
We sell tatted bookmarks and small doiles here -- Tatted Blessings
My sister publishes a small Christian magazine. Read more about it here -- Hidden Wisdom