I would not be the teacher that I am today without the teachers that I have had over the course of my lifetime. 

Firstly, my mother, who devoted herself to me and my education.  She was my first piano teacher.  At the age of twelve, she took me to Genaro Santoro in Memphis, with whom I studied until I went to college. 

My five years with Genaro changed my life and my playing, and he was a member of my family as much as he was my piano teacher.  I have no doubt that he played a dominant role in shaping my personality, my sense of humor, even my political preference! But most importantly, he injected passion, intensity, projection, sound, soul, and humanity into my playing.  Every competition that I ever won, the prize was just as much his.  

In college and during my graduate studies (totalling 9 years so far...), my teacher was Sam Viviano.  Of Sam's biggest gifts to me, I most appreciate that he helped me to find and appreciate my own opinion, which taught me how to be a teacher.  He was my army when I needed support.  He was a million thumbs up when I needed approval.  He was a million thumbs down when I needed a reality check.  He was my therapist during my darkest moments of performance anxiety. He was my inspiration during my dullest moments of "burn out."  He was always there....to smile and celebrate with me during diplomas, concerts, concertos, competitions, and awards...and to be patient with me during low points, tears, frustrations, quitting, un-quitting, time-outs, questioning, WHAT AM I DOING, going back, starting over, let's change pieces, and postponing.  He watched me grow up, from 18 to 28.  He listened about every new thing in my life at the moment...every party, every new pet, new apartment, new boyfriend, new car, new hobby, new friend.  I'm afraid that he knows more about me than anyone else!  And I hope it means as much to you, Sam, as it does to me.

I must also mention a few other names...

Angeline Case-Stott, my harpsichord teacher, with whom I learned an extraordinary amount -- and my supervisor while I was teaching class piano at the University of Memphis...you were one of two who was always on my side, even when it seemed the world was against me!  I really thank you for that. 

Dr. Larry Edwards - director of the University Singers and the Memphis Symphony Chorus - singing under your direction was always uplifting and inspiring.  You taught me how to love being a musician.  I always respected your dedication and your steadfastness.  You made every minute count.  You never settled, and you never let anything slip by you.  You were always listening.  You always found ways to make it better.  You weren't happy until it was right.  You made me want to be a better pianist!  I truly loved every moment spent in rehearsals with you.

Mark Ensley - opera director at the University of Memphis and pianist extraordinaire -- What can I say... You took me under your wing, and it was a great ride!  I deeply appreciate your time, your suggestions, your books, your assignments, your stories, your influence, your guidance, your effort, encouragement, and care... it was one semester, but I'll carry that semester for life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember the whole picture...study the whole world...read books, read reviews...study with teachers, teach yourself...listen to others, listen to good playing...bury yourself in a library, swim in a mountain lake...listen to yourself, discover and honor your inner nature...practice with patience and a searching intelligence, know when to stop...watch things move: birds, trees, snow, cats...dance across the room to the piece your are learning.....privately, be a great conductor...write out a thought that inspired you and carry it around, put it on the piano wrack...study your scores on the airplane......go to the movies, don't put of what you enjoy.....don't think about music, or, for a couple of days, practice all day long in your head.....write letters, send emails, to your old teachers thanking them and telling them what you are learning...play with other musicians, have lunch with non-musicians, take walks alone at night, when the world is velvety and meditative...play with dogs and children...listen to city sounds like you have never listened before...expect 'magic' from the piano...be grateful for the sounds you hear...be grateful for parents and elders...take a few nibbles from a favorite book, and put it down grateful...'forget' the books and scores, and 'become' them...ask questions...invoke musical spirit in your technical practice...develop 'faith'...imagine what a gift it is to be a musician. Thank God!

~ from Legendary Teachers of the Piano, by Samuel Viviano