Tiffany Barnes Watts
Lesson Feesfrom $40.00 / 30 Minutes
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About
Tiffany Barnes Watts received her MA in Music and Music Education from Teacher's College: Columbia University in NYC, and her BM in Piano Pedagogy from Utah State University and has been teaching piano for over 20 years. Tiffany also enjoys performing piano with the Red Rock Jazz Orchestra, and as associate conductor with the Desert Strings Orchestra. During her high school and college careers she participated in several piano competitions receiving many Superior ratings along with 1st and 2nd winner of the Utah Music Teachers Association Concerto Competitions. In undergraduate school, Ms. Watts served as a gold level teacher for 8 years at USU Youth Conservatory in Logan, Utah, and later became a staff member for teaching college piano at Utah State University. After graduation, Ms. Watts became a high school math teacher at a charter school in Los Angeles, CA, and earned her single subject teaching credentials in mathematics and music from Alliant International University. Ms. Barnes has studied piano with five major instructors: Uli Geissendoerfer (current teacher residing in Las Vegas), Ralph Van Der Beek, Laura Bronson, Dennis Hirst, and Brad Kay. She is a member of Utah Music Teachers’ Association and Music Teachers’ National Associaton.
Thoughts on Teaching
Teaching is a true joy for me, and for the rest of my life I will strive to find ways to become better at teaching. Music has been my life-long fascination and it has enriched my life in countless ways. It was Rachmaninoff that said, “Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.” I thoroughly believe that, and I hope to be able to pass on that joy and drive to each of my students. Lessons will be based in the classical tradition, but I do not believe that any one style of music is superior to all other styles. I want to encourage all of my students to discover their individual tastes and personal connection to music and find joy in sharing it with those around them.
Over 25 years of teaching experience; Currently pursuing a Masters of Arts in Music and Music Education from Teachers College: Columbia University; Bachelors of Music (BM) from Utah State University; Member of MTNA and UMTA; Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music and Mathematics from Alliant International University; see https://www.wattspiano.com/ for more information
I have an eclectic teaching method and approach. I have been inspired by TCW Resources, LoKnoPla, Suzuki, and Music Mind Games. I am constantly looking for innovative approaches to teaching students of various abilities. Consistently, I choose to assign from the following texts:
- Keyboard Fundamentals- by Shane Bowles
- Piano Repertoire- by Keith Snell
- Celebrated Piano Solo- by Robert Vandall
- ....along with creating my own texts and materials.
I organize my students into the following curriculum categories:
- Pre-Music at the Piano
- General Music and Pianistic Skills
- Classical Piano Focus
- Pop Music Focus
- College Music Program Prep
- Piano Pedagogy