Amelia is a full-time Piano & Violin teacher at The Piano Studio. Here are all of the questions we asked Amelia!
1. When did you first start playing your instrument?
I think I started when I was around 7 years old. I come from a family that loves music so I grew up watching my parents and my older siblings playing musical instruments. I started just playing by ear and then I asked my parents if I could please have lessons.
2. Who was your favorite violin (instrument) teacher and why?
My favorite teacher was Miss Liberty B. She would push me to do those studies and exercises but I knew that she really wanted me to be very good at playing the violin. She also encouraged me to perform and even play for weddings-which I ended up enjoying so much.
3. What made you decide to pursue teaching as a job?
I’m all for pursuing your passion and all that but I heard someone say that it’s not just about your passion, you also have to ask yourself “What can you contribute? What are you good at?” I found that being able to share what you know is very fulfilling.
4. What is your favorite piece to play?
I can’t pick just one favorite piece—I usually have a song that I really like and I end up playing it over and over again until another song catches my attention and I go crazy playing that one. Sometimes I feel bad for the people around me who have no choice but to hear the same song over and over again.
5. Do you play in a band/orchestra?
I used to play for a string quartet and we would play for weddings. Right now though I’m singing with a band and we would perform at festivals and do bar gigs. We recently played at the Beaches jazz festival and it was awesome because you get to see other amazing jazz bands as well and you are surrounded by people who love jazz! I love doing all of these—the adrenaline rush!
6. What is one of your favorite songs/artists/styles of music, and why?
My favorite style of music is Acid Jazz and Jazz funk. I love listening to songs by Incognito, Brand New heavies, Tower of Power and Earth Wind and Fire because their music just speaks to me. I feel so blessed to be part of a band that gets to play that kind of music genre.
7. What other interests do you have, unrelated to music?
Right now I have a growing interest in ice skating and archery…go figure.
8. Did you ever think about wanting to stop music? If so, what made you continue?
When I was still in school there were times when I would decide to stop taking my music lessons because school work was just so overwhelming … then one day I would see someone playing their instrument and being brilliant at it…that motivates me to keep going and just working harder so I could balance my time between school work and practicing.
9. What is your advice to parents whose children are having difficulty finding or making the time to practice at home?
I know it’s easier said than done but try to make practising/playing their instrument part of their routine. They can start with just a few minutes a day and then gradually increasing the time as their songs become more advanced and challenging. Motivation is also very important—watch concerts and performances and shows to inspire them. The time will come when they will actually enjoy what they are doing and playing music becomes an outlet or a means of relaxation.
10. If you could learn to play another instrument, what would it be?
I would love to learn how to play the harp—it just sounds so heavenly!
