Piano with Ms. V

Hello!

My name is Sue Vinsant.  Most of my students call me "Ms. Sue".  

I provide private piano lessons for all ages in a safe and nurturing atmosphere. I currently have students ranging in age from 4 to 76 (currently). All levels are welcome!

I have a Masters + 60  in Education and a Minor in Music.  I have been playing the piano since I was 6 years old.  I retired from the Ruidoso Municipal School System after 27 years of successful teaching.  While I was in Ruidoso, I taught regular classroom, general music (K-6), Middle School Choir, High School Choir, and Choir at the University Level.  Additionally, I was the Director of Music at the First Christian Church for 12 years and I taught private piano out of my home.  

After moving to Albuquerque, I worked with several organizations as an accompanist in addition to my private piano studio and although I am not doing any accompanying currently, I have worked with James Monroe Middle School, Mesa View Methodist Church and Highland High School in the past.

I opened my current in-home studio when I relocated to Albuquerque in 2010.  Because of the pandemic, I have learned that teaching online can be done with a high degree of success.  A few of the students that were coming to my studio when the pandemic hit, have chosen to stay online despite the fact that I have opened my studio back up to in person lessons.  Both options are currently available.  It's nice to have that online option available for days when you just can't make it to my house, but would still like to have a lesson!

My objective is to teach people to read music.  My wish is to demystify the “little black dots” on the page!  I want my students to enjoy playing the piano!  I am not trying to develop concert pianists, but instead hope to instill a love of music and a realization that they are developing a skill that they can continue to enjoy their entire lifetime!  That being said, I also believe in giving students the skills they need to become accomplished musicians.  As a result, we not only work on reading notes, but we talk about technique, theory and even some music history!  I have used just about every series  available on the market.   If you have a one method in particular that you prefer, I will be happy to work with it.  

That being said,   I have found a relatively new series out of Canada that I am especially excited about.  For one thing, it is new and up to date.  If you look at the copyright dates on the most commonly used series, you will find that many of them have been around a LONG time!  And, they really haven't done much to update their materials.  The series that I am using almost exclusively right now is called WUNDERKEYS and the oldest copyright I have found thus far is 2016.     WUNDERKEYS has a wide range of levels. 

They have books that have been developed especially for preschoolers.  The three preschool books are designed to introduce students to symbol-to-sound recognition, allow them to practice finger independence and coordination, and improve their aural awareness.  In addition, they are introduced to concepts like long sounds and short sounds, and high and low sounds.  I have successfully used the preschool books with 4 year olds, both in person and online, and have had a great deal of success!  The lessons are fast moving and fun!  They encourage exploration of the piano in ways that are accessible and appropriate for this age group and are geared toward having children understand everything they will need to know before learning to read notated music.  

 The series includes books for Primers that are jam-packed with age-appropriate pieces, off-the-bench activities and game based learning.  Every game is designed to reinforce concepts being taught and make learning fun!

WUNDERKEYS takes the student from pre-school to advanced intermediate. 

 In addition, they have a series that has been develop for older beginners that allows students to begin playing chords starting the first lesson (even if they have had no musical experience)  I have successfully used this series with teens and adults.  

Whatever books are used, they all cover basically the same concepts and I will be happy to use whatever one you are most comfortable with, but I can say that I am very impressed with this particular series.

As a student progresses, we can begin to explore all kinds of music including classical, pop, musicals, jazz.  You name it!  

Once a student has grasped the basic concepts of reading music, it is much easier to move on to other instruments, should the student choose to do so.  

I believe that anyone can learn to read and play music.  How proficient a student becomes and how quickly that happens depends entirely on the student!

I look forward to working with you!  Please feel free to call me anytime if you have questions!

Thanks!