Mary Anne Szollar

I began musical study at an early age surrounded by music in the home. I participated in many young performer competitions and events. My teacher and mentor Irma Schenuit Hall introduced me to teaching and fostered my teaching skills.

I studied at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, the Musikhochschule - Koln and the Chicago Conservatory. In addition to numerous master class performances and study sessions I have held long term coaching relationships with Leo Steffens, Gunther Ludwig, William Browning and Daniel Pollack.

I have performed both as a soloist and a collaborative artist across the United States including Chicago and New York. I have been a regular performer on community concert series, music specialty programs and in-home recital programs. Collaborative music with strings and voice comprised much of my performance work.

Private teaching has taken on a larger role and now claims the majority of my time. Previously my teaching positions included adjunct status at Elon College, Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. At present I teach privately from my own studio in Redmond, WA.

I believe that the learning of a musical instrument should enrich our creative abilities and expand our mind's problem solving by thinking in new ways. I do not approach teaching as the application of a set of tasks to the student but rather a drawing out of the natural talents and abilities which we all possess.

Over many years of teaching I have developed my own methodology and approach. I treat each student as an individual taking them through fundamentals of music at the piano in a fun and enjoyable way. My method combines improvisation, ear training, technique, and theory and harmony from the first lesson. Having grown up with European style teaching myself, my own teaching is based on the old conservatory principles while twisting the content to hold the interest and develop the creativity of the student.

I aspire for each of my students to find life-long pleasure in the piano. I do not teach my students to be competition winners; although should a student desire to participate in a competition I can prepare them. Music is an art not a time based sports event or race. Music is a personal expression. My students participate in the annual auditions (adjudications) of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. This event helps parents and students recognize progress in a non-competitive way while maintaining a very high standard.

I believe in sharing our music with each other, our families and friends. Some label this a recital but I prefer the concept of sharing. In this context my students support each other and frequently find new music which they wish to learn. I always schedule an interview with the student and parents prior to beginning lessons. It is imperative that the student and the teacher be able to work together. The interview answers many questions for the parents and the student and allows lessons (should all agree that lessons will begin) to begin in a comfortable and relaxed manner.

I enjoy starting students, young or adult, from the beginning. Each type of music in its various gradations of difficulty presents rewards in teaching. I have found that with my method a strong foundation is established. I do enjoy teaching at all levels and frequently take a student from pre-school beginnings through high school and into college.