Teacher Bios
Mila Quarles's Bio
(Piano and voice instructor in Boise)
Mission Statement
"We are dedicated to helping children develop total musicianship, and to
providing an understanding and love of music that will last for a lifetime."
I was trained in classical piano in my home-town in Ukraine (formerly part of the U.S.S.R.). I have been playing piano since the age of eight, and have been teaching piano lessons for the past eleven years. I believe experience is the most important factor in successful teaching. I have two musical degrees in theory and piano. I moved to the United States over five years ago. Music is my passion, and working with students and watching them progress to higher levels gives me a great deal of satisfaction and happiness. I have spent most of my time teaching music to all age groups from kindergarteners to adults. I like working with both beginning and intermediate level pianists of all ages. I specialize in teaching beginners and work with them up through college level. I like the challenge of teaching adults. I recognize that many adults regret that they never took lessons when they were young, or they just have a love of music and want to learn more about it. Adults are quick learners, but (newer students) cannot always obtain the coordination or develop the independent dexterity necessary to play at a higher level. I tailor music lessons to meet an adult individual needs and focus on the type of music he or she wants to play. I believe no one is ever too young or too old to begin playing the piano for the first time or to build upon existing skills. Although I am currently teaching in a childcare center, my passion for teaching music privately and in groups still remains, which is why I have maintained my own music studio. I am always trying to learn something new and I hope that I am never finished learning. And, believe me, it doesn't matter how many degrees you have, the learning never ends. I learn from teaching my students all the time!
One of the most beneficial and practical courses I have taken is the Harmony Road course. I have enjoyed teaching this program since September 2003. What a fantastic opportunity! I am very excited about offering the keyboard based music group class. The program is inspiring and exciting and it is my hope that it will help many young musicians get off to a wonderful start in their own musical lives!
Private and group piano lessons for children are available in the studio, which is located in Boise. Topics covered include development of music memory skills, theory, solfege (do, re, mi fa…), ear training, proper finger exercises, sight reading, composition, improvisation and advanced rhythm techniques.
My lessons are fun, challenging, and tailored to the ability of each individual. Students are encouraged to participate in recitals. I look forward to helping you reach your musical goals, whatever they may be! However, those who just wish to play for fun will certainly learn to do so! It is my pleasure to teach you what I know about music and it is my personal goal to set you on a life-long path of learning about music. If you live in the Boise or Meridian area and are interested in private or group piano lessons, please contact me to schedule your first lesson.
Kelly Mendoza's Bio
(Piano Instructor in Nampa)
I started piano lessons when I was six years old. Having a mother with a degree in music with many music responsibilities in our community motivated me to devote my time to follow in her steps. My piano lessons continued through high school. Later, I had the opportunity to study piano under an accomplished concert pianist who has won two national awards in Hungary and several national awards in the United States.
I have performed in many recitals and in the National Federation of Music's annual music festivals. The four years that I participated in the National Federation of Music, I received Superior ratings. By the time I was eleven, I was already playing the piano for school choir, as well as playing specials in church. I was often asked to play for church vocalists as well as the church choir. By the age of sixteen, I had developed a passion for playing classical music, particularly works of Chopin, Grieg, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff.
Currently, in addition to teaching piano, I accompany piano for a vocal instructor while she teaches. I am also still very involved with playing solos and accompanying choir and vocalists in church.
Private lessons are available in my home from Monday through Friday. Right now I have an opening on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.Students are taught proper finger tecnic, theory, ear training and sight-reading. Every student regardless of level will experience improved coordination, a broadening of interests, discovery of the importance of self-discipline, and a world of pleasure. My lessons are fun and adapted to your needs and abilities.
I enjoy teaching younger beginners out of Alfred's Basic Piano Library. Each musical principle is reinforced and supplementary material is carefully coordinated with each lesson. For the older beginner, I like Nancy and Randall Faber's Piano Adventure Series. The wide variety of songs are suitable for older age groups and entertaining for practice.
Although recitals are not mandatory, I encourage all students to participate. Recitals not only help increase poise, and confidence; but they also motivate students to practice correctly and efficiently.
If you are interested in private piano lessons, please contact me to schedule your first lesson. I look forward to our lessons and time together as I help you achieve your musical goals.
Brent Vaartstra's Bio
(guitar instructor in S-E Boise)
Elisabeth Blin's Bio
(guitar instructor in downtown Boise)
Elisabeth Blin is a French composer and musician, originally from Saintes, a
cultural city in Southwest France,
a few miles away from the Atlantic Ocean. In 1994, she moved to Boise with
her husband Tom and their teenage son. Elisabeth holds a Bachelor in Music
from Boise State University where she studied under the direction of Dr.
Joseph Baldassarre She also teaches private guitar
lessons and in 2002, she published her own method and CD, “Acoustic
Guitar, Getting Started.”
She studied the piano for five years as a child and discovered the
harmony of Debussy and Satie. In 1972, she started studying the guitar,
mostly self-taught and influenced by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.
She gave her first concerts as a Beaux Arts School student in Limoges, France,
in 1978, and since, her music has been deeply colored by the spirit of Yes
(Steve Howe) and John McLaughlin.
In 1989, she started to learn the Bossa
Nova style under the direction of the noted French jazz musician, Pascal
Gombaud. Ever- since the Brazilian rhythms of Tom Jobim have become the
major influence on her song writing.
In 1996, she made her first digital recording, Lifetime One<link>,
twelve original songs for guitar and vocals. In 1997, Elisabeth received a
grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts to complete her second project, the
CD Lifetime Too: Soul to Soul, a collection of thirteen pieces with three-part
vocal harmonies featuring guitar, piano, saxophone, dobro, bass clarinet, and
French horn, among others. In 1998, she appeared on a second CD, Orange
Dust, for a charity live- concert.
In 2000, Elisabeth released her third project, Therapie Bossa-Nova! The
album again featured some of the finest Boise jazz musicians. The Idaho
Statesman gave the CD a three star review, pointing out the major influence of
the Brazilian composer Tom Jobim on her music, “with a touch of
Yes, and some nuances of Debussy.”
She has appeared in major venues including the Thousand Springs Festival in Hagerman, the Boise River Festival, Art in the Park, Women’s Celebration Night, New Year’s Eve First Night, Boise Farmer’s Markets, and First Thursdays. She currently performs First Thursdays at the popular downtown Boise French restaurant Le Café de Paris
The method that I am using covers:
1) Folk, blues and jazz guitar techniques. Chord diagrams and tablatures.
2) Classical techniques and sheet music reading.
Each method comes with a CD. Please ask me for details…
If you live in the Boise area and are interested in guitar lessons, please contact me to schedule your first lesson.