Keren Johnson
Piano, Music Together®, Music Discoveries Camp
Artist Statement
What is your philosophy about teaching and music education? What has led you down the path of teaching your musical specialty? What inspires you and your teaching techniques?
Music has always been a very integral part of my life. From my very earliest memories, music has been my expression of choice and my deepest response for every season and moment in time. My love for music has been the driving force behind my teaching philosophy, and my experience as a homeschooled student has given me a profound respect for all learning styles and expressions. I have witnessed firsthand how music is an incredibly powerful tool of self-expression and communication: bringing people together, speaking where words cannot, and helping us process life as it comes. My joy in teaching music is in helping each student discover their own self-expression in music. This means that I want to help students learn the way that they, as individuals, learn best. And I want to help students learn the kind of music that they love most – music from all genres as well as experimenting with music fusion. I provide customized instruction for each student that allows students to pursue their individual music passions and pursuits by equipping them with the techniques and skills needed to be successful in those areas. I am also very passionate about the power of being an active listener and I delight in filling lesson times with thoughtful discussions to develop “the musical ear”.
Teaching Bio
Where have you taught? Where and what do you currently teach? Where has your teaching career taken you in the world and as a profession?
As a young piano student, I used to dream about being a piano teacher “when I grew up”. In 2006, as a high school student, my dream became a reality when I began teaching beginner piano lessons. Later, I pursued my Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Piano Performance at the University of Vermont. I was absolutely thrilled to study any and every music course I could. I was also mentored by Paul Orgel, an absolutely phenomenal pianist and instructor who has toured and been acclaimed by music programs around the world. Throughout the course of my college years, I continued to teach over 20 students each year, putting my newly acquired knowledge into practice each day and fine tuning and adjusting my teaching techniques as I encountered students with learning disabilities, neurodivergence, and unique learning styles of all types. It was incredibly rewarding to see the joy of music spread to each new student as they began to uncover their music potential.
In 2013 I was awarded the honor of graduating magna cum laude with my undergraduate degree from UVM, got married to my childhood best friend the same year, and then spent the next three years growing a small private studio. In 2019 I became a piano faculty member at MCMC, which has been one of my absolute favorite seasons in my career. As a mom of two smart young ladies who are also passionate musicians themselves, I spend my days homeschooling in the morning and early afternoons, and teaching piano in the late afternoons and evenings. I think my love of teaching speaks for itself!
I am also a committed life-long learner, modeling for my children and my piano students that a love of learning is one of the greatest achievements we can give to ourselves. I have continued my musical education in certification programs (receiving the title of Early Childhood Music Specialist in both the Music Together® and Rhythm Kids® programs), pedagogy seminars, and teaching conferences through the Music Teachers National Association. I intend for my musical growth and teaching experience to be a lifelong learning experience.
Performance Bio
Where have you performed and with whom? What roles did you have in your performances? If performance has not been a big part of your musical career, what are your thoughts and/or philosophy about performing?
There is something about music that just begs to be shared and imparted. For myself, I have found the deepest joy in participating in local performances for the communities and families that are dearest to my heart. As such, I have played at countless weddings, church services and events, seasonal concerts, benefit concerts for MCMC, and concerts for local fundraisers of various types. However, I have also been nominated twice and performed in the President’s Concert, a private concert held each year at the University of Vermont and open only by invitation to the President of the university, select members of the community, and visiting dignitaries. More recently, I have been honored to compose and direct choir music for a seasonal children’s choir at my church, drawing on my training as an early childhood music specialist.
My experiences as a performer have reinforced my belief that performance is an essential component of any quality music educational experience. However, I also believe that “performance” does not have to be a large, intimidating experience. It can be as simple as sharing music with close friends, recording a performance to send to a loved one, or, perhaps, playing for your family pets. Music is one of the ways we can adequately convey the messages of the soul, and as such, I see performance as an invaluable gift to both the performer and listener, no matter how humble the circumstances. Performance is also an incredible educational tool that is available to help students strengthen technical skills and elevate artistry. I encourage all students to seek out and take advantage of performance opportunities to round out their music education and I work hard to equip each student with the important techniques and skills to produce an effective and successful performance.