Faculty Biography

:: Mary Gustafson ::::::

Philosophy: I believe every individual can enjoy making music with excellence. I seek to discover the individual learning styles of my students and help them grow as musicians.

Specialty: One area of teaching that I particularly enjoy and have seen success with my students is improvisation using chord charts and/or recorded music. This has given them flexibility as musicians and teaches practical theory - a great addition to the classical music curriculum.

Teaches:

Piano

Teaching Since:

1978

Education:

1980 Bachelor of Music Degree, College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN – Piano and Choral major
2000-2006 Suzuki mentorship
2010 Suzuki - Every Child Can Course and Suzuki Book 1

Groups/Associations/Events:

Member of the Minnesota Music Teachers Association
Member of the Music Teachers National Association
Minnesota Music Teachers Convention – June, 2009
Member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the Suzuki Association of Minnesota

Piano Teaching and

Music Experience:

1980- present Private Studio Teacher - Adults and Children
1993-96 – Studio Teacher, Tracy Woods School of Piano, Mahtomedi, MN
1981-1985 – Choral and Classroom Music Teacher, Calvary Assembly Academy, K-12 school.

Curriculum and

Performance

Opportunities:

Two to three recitals per year in October, December, and May.
Participation in the MMTA Contests and Festival
Monthly Suzuki classes available
Participation in Suzuki Recitals
Traditional method and Suzuki Method
Studies in reading chord charts and improvisation.