What got you into music and why did you keep at it?

As kids, my five siblings and I all had to learn the piano plus another instrument. Being the youngest, I grew up hearing live classical music all the time, especially at the holidays when my older sisters and brothers would often play carols or other pieces together in parts. I started on the piano and picked up the violin in fifth grade. Then I started singing. My elementary school math teacher heard me singing and encouraged my parents to get me into a choir, which is when I was accepted into the Lawrence Children’s Choir. When hand and wrist (and shoulder) injuries from overuse followed me throughout my piano and violin playing, I was given a choice to have surgery and take my chances, or quit. At 16, it was nerve wracking thinking about losing more use of my hands should surgery and recovery go badly. So I quit piano and violin and began to focus fully on my voice as my primary instrument. When I paired my voice with my love of theater, and chamber music, I found lifelong joy and a career that made me want to inspire others.

I want to learn piano, but all I have is an electric keyboard - what do I do?

Acoustic instruments are AMAZING - and often expensive. BUT. If that’s what you have available anyone can learn the basics on an electric keyboard. I had one myself for years when we lived in Chicago: a really nice Kawai that had pressure sensitive keys and pedals. (We didn’t want to risk damaging a nice acoustic piano when we were moving between rentals.) Now, if down the road a year or so you’re saying to yourself, “I’m really getting good,” or “Wow, my kid is loving playing and is getting a lot of joy from this,” then you’d seriously want to look at an upgrade. There are always people looking to give or sell on the cheap family instruments away to good homes of another music lover. Twice yearly or seasonal maintenance/tuning is smart to consider thereafter. MOST IMPORTANT for any electric instrument is that should have 88 full sized keys, and keys with touch sensitivity are great too.

What’s a good age for kids to start learning piano?

I recommend if a child can sit still for 20 min, they might be ready - though showing interest in the piano is incredibly helpful: trying to play when siblings do, asking about lessons, etc. I started when I was four, but I’ve had friends/colleagues who began earlier. I also know some pros who didn’t start until they were 7 or 8 - or older. Like all things with children, it’s all about: “when they’re ready on their time,” and sometimes there is a bit of trial and error with starting out. Remember also that a child will need to practice daily, at least 10-15 minutes when they’re little and just starting out, so kids also need to be ready for that - and so do parents/caregivers!

What’s a good age for kids to start having voice lessons?

This is one I get A LOT. Honestly, as a career musician and a parent, I cannot imagine solo voice lessons being genuinely beneficial to kids until after middle school, maybe around 8th or 9th grade; usually right after they’ve hit puberty. Younger kids need to learn to read music, know what it is, and enjoy it with their peers more than they need a solo voice session. The exception would be children who are actively pursuing professional careers at a young age that require singing, for example in theatre, operas, or film. I will say that I have taught younger singers on parents’ insistence/pleading. Here’s my two cents for the average kiddo on the block though. Sure, in solo lessons you can work on breathing, pitch matching, sight reading some art songs, and a few more things when they’re 10 or 12. However, a children’s choir is where children will get all of this and SO much more. Lawrence, KS is incredibly lucky to have a good one in LLC (Lawrence Children’s Choir). Students get all the previously mentioned training, but they also learn to follow a conductor and accompaniment, work with peers, have chance to build self confidence with other students who are all excited and interested in the same thing, and so so so much more. It’s a no brainer for me where money is be better spent for young musicians. Get them some lessons on piano or another instrument - then get them in a choir or two…or three! When they’re 14, or 15 or 16 then come see me to help take them to the next level as a soloist.