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SUMI TONOOKA MUSIC STUDIO
Located in the Town of Beacon, New York, 12508

Limited openings available for private instruction for adults and children ages five and up. Extensive experience teaching traditional as well as Suzuki piano.

Jazz theory and improvisation for all instruments also availables.

Email for scheduling options:

Teaching Philosophy

Music making is a joyous activity and transmitting joy is one of the most important goals I have as a teacher, no matter what age or level.

My basic requirement in a student is that the student has the desire and willingness to learn. Music is a language, and like any language, it requires time and patience and a lot of practice. My job as a teacher is to communicate well and to tailor the lessons to the individual student, their particular learning style, and what their unique abilities are. I think that in order to be a good teacher one has to enjoy people and really observe , listen and be creative along the way. A good teacher is learning all the time from their students. I think that one of the unique things I bring to the table as a teacher is an extensive backround as a professional jazz pianist, as well as solid training in classical music which gives me a very broad range to draw from.

I have been teaching for over thirty years. I continue to teach individual piano instruction and workshops, and have taught seminars and classes at many college institutions throughout the United States, including Rutgers University, Smithsonian Institute, and Williams College. I have taught most recently at SUNY Dutchess in Poughkeepsie, New York, where I have had extensive experience working with the Suzuki method. This experience has added a whole new dimension to my teaching range. Working with children aged four and above and their families has been a rewarding and enriching experience. It has been really something to witness the youngest students grow and develop into full-fledged pianists and musicians.