How old were you when you first got into music?

I was in Kindergarten, so 5 or 6 years old, when I got in trouble at school because I kept banging on the music teacher's piano. She stopped my parents when I was getting picked up and told them that I might be interested in learning the piano and that I should consider taking lessons. I took to it like a fish to water and have loved playing the piano ever since I was a small child.

Do you play any other instruments?

When I was a rebellious teenager, I discovered rock and roll music. I started teaching myself the guitar and took some drum set lessons. I studied rock, pop, hip-hop, and folk music with the seriousness that I had previously applied to classical piano. I also learned to play band percussion instruments, which allowed me to participate in school ensembles in high school and college. I picked up a little bit of the fiddle somewhere along the way. I genuinely enjoy being a multi-instrumentalist and believe that every musician should occasionally pick up new instruments.

Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?

All of them left a significant mark. My childhood piano teacher, Mrs. Lovette, laid a strong foundation that helped me succeed throughout my musical journey. Russ Maddox taught me how to approach rock and pop music with both seriousness and enthusiasm. My piano professor from college, Dr. Noel Engebretson, was a world-class performer and taught me how to think critically and artistically about music. Beth Gottlieb, my percussion professor, taught me how to think and act like a professional, as well as how to succeed as a working musician.

What do you like most about teaching young students?

I enjoy watching my students grow as artists and discover their unique musical voices. When you're starting as a student, your teacher is there to guide you along the path, showing you exactly where to go. Then, as you grow as a student, you start to blaze your trail as a musician, and the teacher who was once guiding you is now just there, cheering you on, watching as you explore and find your path. For me, that's the most exciting thing to watch and why I do what I do.

What is your best advice for students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?

Practice smarter, not harder. Get good at naming your problems. The more specific the issue you are having, the easier it is to solve. A good example is, "The run in measure 17 sounds uneven and choppy. How do I make it more smooth?" Perhaps the answer lies in technique, fingering, or repetition, but you won't know where to start or what to try until you identify the problem.

Learn to love your metronome. Try out different kinds of metronome work. If you're learning a pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, or country song, try playing along with a drum loop. There are numerous great free drum loops available. Play along with the recording! Slow it down. Speed it up.

Record yourself. It doesn't have to be professional quality. Get a basic phone tripod and record yourself. Watch it back and make notes. Name your problems, come up with a practice plan.