Denae has loved music from the time she learned to speak. She loved to listen to her dad play piano, especially around the holidays, and when her siblings started taking piano lessons, she demanded to be allowed to start them as well. When they gave in, that was the start of a love she's never let go. Denae has profound musical experience, as she's been in many choirs over the years, including a bell choir in her high school as well as a current adult group for handbells, and has played piano for about 14 years. She's been both a singer and an accompanist, and has learned both classical songs as well as more modern pieces on the piano - a few of them entirely by ear. She has had the opportunity to accompany her peers to help them learn how to properly read music and how to count in order to stay together in pieces, and she's ready to bring that knowledge to new musicians. While she is more experienced in the classical side of music, Denae is more than happy to listen to a student's request for something new. She is patient and understanding, and will work with a student to figure out their strengths and weaknesses in playing. She's always willing to give a student a challenge if she feels they're ready, because Denae wants to bring the love she has for music and playing to students in hopes that they find their own joy in playing as well.
