Testimonials
…on horn and brass instruments
“She gave me new ways to think about how I play the horn and helped me engage with my music in an expressive way.”
“[Professor Annie] was very accommodating to me for my lack of knowledge, and explained things to me to correct wrong doings that I have been practicing with my instrument as I had never had private lessons before. She did a really great job as a stand in for Dr. Bonnell while he was on sabbatical .
She used multiple methods of explanations to make sure that I knew what was being explained.”
“We couldn’t be happier with the lesson’s that Annie has offered. The improvements were almost immediate, and my child looks forward to each session. She’s is incredibly flexible and accommodating. After a competition, a judge made the remark, “It’s quite obvious that you have been receiving private lessons for some time”, little did she know, my daughter had only been with Annie for little over a month. We highly recommend her to anyone looking to improve in their playing ability.”
“I’m pleased not only because she [student] sounds great, but because she is truly inspired to play more. I’ve never really pushed hard for her to practice (more like little reminders,) and I don’t have to say anything to her anymore. She just does it because she wants to. That’s what makes my mom heart happy.”
“Annie is the best teacher we could ever ask for! My daughter plays French horn and enjoys it, but didn’t learn to LOVE IT until we started taking lessons with Annie. Her passion for the instrument, and for music in general, has ignited a flame in my daughter that was only a spark before we met Annie. My daughter also started playing trumpet and did not have confidence in her ability to be successful. Annie’s positivity and communication style helped my daughter progress at a rate that kept her engaged and now she practices on her own and loves being able to play both instruments. Annie is the BEST!!”
““My son has been taking lessons with Annie since the fall of 2020. Over zoom she has taught him trumpet, ukulele and piano with great success. She is always communicating with us about our son’s progress and things they are working on. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for lessons!” ”
“What started out as summer trombone lessons for my son a few years ago has morphed into year-round lessons with Annie and my son couldn’t be happier! Annie has been a wonderful teacher for my son—encouraging, positive, knowledgeable and always focused on him having fun with his instrument in addition to learning more about music. My son has thoroughly enjoyed working with Annie and looks forward to seeing her every week over zoom. She always shows an interest in his band experiences at school and his beginning jazz work. In the past two years with Annie, my son has grown into a confident and eager player who is willing to try out new pieces and truly likes making music. I credit Annie with his progress, his expanded interest in music, and his investment in playing in band and jazz band in high school this coming year. THANK YOU, Annie, for all you have done for him as a trombone player and as a person, we really appreciate it!
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..on adult learning
““I am an older learner - turning 70 this year! I started taking ukulele lessons a year ago (Christmas gift to myself). Annie has been an excellent teacher - patient, knowledgeable and understands how other life responsibilities can interfere with practicing. She is very good at listening to my musical preferences and finding new pieces that are challenging yet in my skill level. I have progressed nicely in my ability to play the ukulele and refining my technique having never played a stringed instrument. I would definitely recommend taking lessons from Annie.” ”
“We’re working on the things I made clear that I want to know and she had good suggestions for how to accomplish these. I’m looking forward to our next lesson. She emailed me a couple of websites where I can find music to work on and showed thorough knowledge a variety of musical fine points, or these were probably basic points for accomplished musicians but just the kind of guidance I needed. She showed contagious enthusiasm for making good music.”
“I received music lessons with Annie as a gift from my spouse and I am so grateful. It was something that I had considered doing for years, but that was forever being pushed to the back of my to-do list. I am a beginner voice student and in my sixties. It’s been fun, but challenging too. Annie is a great instructor and always inspires.
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“I’ve taken voice lessons with Annie for the past three months. With her expertise, I have come so far in my singing journey. I went from not being able to sing a single note to having a very solid foundation and feeling more confident with my voice. Every week, after hearing me sing whatever I was working on, she would always make sure to point out all the good things she heard along with providing me constructive feedback, so I knew what I needed to work on. She is positive, diligent, and super fun to work with!”
…on ukulele
“Our girls (age 8 and age 10) love working with Annie! They started to play the ukulele in February and I am impressed with how quickly they are progressing. I am also impressed with how much they learn during a 30-minute session. Annie knows how to break learning up into manageable chunks so students continue to grow without feeling overwhelmed or shutting down. They learn something new with each lesson and practice those new skills during the week. Her lessons continue to build upon the skills previously taught which increases independence and confidence. She is passionate about music and that passion shines through with each lesson. I highly recommend her!
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“Annie is truly a gift of a music teacher. Her ability to engage, even through zoom, and teach our 8 year old multiple instruments is unmatched - and we’ve tried other teachers. I listen to their lessons from the other room, and my daughter is having so much fun - she barely realizes she’s learning - always retaining and playing with heightened skill each week. Annie is the best.”
“Annie is a very positive teacher. She has been flexible in teaching online classes even for a very beginner student. My daughter looks forward to her lessons and is always sharing what she is learning. Annie is patient, kind, and easily engaged with her students. Highly recommend Annie as a music instructor.”
…on masterclasses and performance
“As a performer, Annie was one of our finest graduate horn students during her time of study at IU...I can cite, first of all, her organized and detailed way of approaching everything that she does, from her horn practice and performance preparation to her academic work..”
“Annie is an outstanding, sensitive musician who has sought out and successfully performed some of the most challenging pieces in the horn repertoire for her solo recital performances including the Concerto for Horn by Gordon Jacob, En Foret by Eugene Bozza, Laudatio by Bernard Krol and Concerto for Horn, K. 495 by W.A. Mozart. She also completed a semester of study on the Natural Horn and performed movements of the Trios by Anton Reicha on a Hom Ensemble recital here at CMU. I would consider her among the top 5% of students I have taught at Central Michigan University.”
“Annie gave our (University of Iowa) a terrific hour-long presentation on the history and technique of the natural horn. It was excellent, engaging, and informative in every respect, a demonstration of the skill and knowledge of a real professional. The students greatly profited from her expertise, and I am plotting to have her back soon to teach us more. She is a wonderful player and teacher!”
..on piano lessons
“After Santa Claus brought our daughter a keyboard for Christmas, we started doing virtual piano lessons with Annie. Over the past year we have been impressed with how much our daughter has learned and what she has been able to play in such a short time. Annie’s virtual set up works great. Her approach keeps our energetic grade schooler excited about lessons and playing piano. Annie keeps us informed on progress and shows real interest in our daughter. It has been a great experience for the whole family.”
“Annie is very a very talented musician and a very kind and accommodating teacher! My daughter loves having her as an instructor.”