What’s my best work?
My student’s next achievement at the piano
When I was 17, I played piano for the cherub choir in my church. Several of the cherub’s parents asked me to teach piano to their kids.
I never stopped. Teaching that is. I haven’t been a cherub in years.
Hello. I’m Rebecca Bogart.
Since beginning my teaching and performing career so many years ago, I’ve come to understand quite a few things about the world of music. Namely, being successful takes more than just hard work and practice.
Success in playing the piano requires motivation – the kind of motivation that fuels creativity and keeps you coming back for more.
I’m here to help you with the A to Z and everywhere in between of your piano playing goals.
Whether an aspiring professional or a dedicated amateur, my aim is to make my students’ goals achievable. That means figuring out the best ways to communicate with them and improving on their weaknesses not just their strengths.
I believe helping people along on their musical journey involves meeting them where they are, not where I want them to be.
And, it’s the journey that matters, not just the mastery.
Where does my teaching philosophy come from?
Progress without pain + Kindness without judgment = Better results with less effort
No, it’s not zen. It’s called learning the hard way or achieving success while overcoming a whole lot of painful obstacles in the process.
Years ago, I realized that I needed to learn a better way of managing my body if I wanted to continue to teach and perform at such a high level. Between tendinitis in both arms, sciatica pain and breast cancer, I’ve had to rehabilitate myself on far too many occasions.
Enter the Taubman technique – an approach to playing the piano centered on injury prevention and pain reduction.
By integrating other whole body awareness teachings into the Taubman technique, I’ve been able to strengthen my own playing along with helping my clients address and alleviate discomfort at the piano.
We all have challenges to face. Playing the piano with greater ease and musicality shouldn’t be an insurmountable one.
Here are a few more things you might like to know:
- I received my Masters of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and have been teaching the piano for over 40 years.
- I was awarded first place at the 2013 Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition – my prize was a performance in Carnegie Hall.
- Several of my students have won national and international awards, including the Berkeley Piano Club’s Van Waynen Scholarship and the National Finalist at the Canadian National Music Competition
- I’ve performed for audiences in Italy and given master classes at such places as Harvard University
- And, I love working with adults who are just as passionate about music as I am
Schedule a trial lesson with me today!
A new ear and way of approaching your playing may be just what you need to get you to that next level.
