Paula Thomas-Lee

paulathomas-lee@thepianostudio.org

Dr. Paula Thomas-Lee has been teaching piano for over 10 years. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in piano and voice and Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She recently completed her Doctorate in Music Education at the University of Georgia. She has studied with several piano teachers including Alan Chow, Suzanne Guy, Patti Jackson, Jane Abbott-Kirk, and Ivan Frazier. She is currently an active member of several music teacher organizations such as Music Teacher's National Association and Music Educators National Conference: National Association of Music Education. She was recently the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award at the University of Georgia and also received the Gene M. Simons Award of Excellence for Research in Early Childhood Music Education.

Paula has recently opened her own piano studio in the Alpharetta, Georgia area which includes more than thirty-five piano students. Paula's goal of teaching is to provide the student with a positive experience in music education which will nurture a love for music and the piano.

She believes that it is her responsibility (as the teacher) to praise and acknowledge the student's hard work and efforts as well as encourage and challenge the student in weaker areas. She also believes that parents play a crucial role in their child's musical success. Therefore, she encourages parents to assist the student in setting up a daily practice routine, praising his/her musical achievements, and attending the student's public piano performances.
Individual weekly lessons consist of reviewing and improving a variety of styles of pieces in the student's repertoire. Other activities during lesson time may include sight reading, ear training, technique work, composition, and music theory.

Educational Background:
Early piano study with Alan Chow, Alvin Chow, and Patti Jackson
Has also studied with Sheila Paige

D.M.A. in Music Education with minor in Piano Pedagogy, University of
Georgia, 2003
Piano study with Ivan Frazier-Student of Guy Duckworth
Dissertation title: "Piano Pedagogy for Preschool Children: Objectives
of Selected Piano Methods and Philosophies
Designed for the Four-Five Year Old Child
.
M.M. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Baylor University, 1998.
Piano study with Jane Abbott-Kirk.
Graduate Assistantship in piano
Thesis title: "Performing Arts Medicine: A Study of Occupational
Disorders in Pianists."

B.A. in Music, Piano and Voice concentration, Baylor University, 1996.
Biology minor
Piano study with Jane Abbott-Kirk.

Teaching Experience:

Reinhardt College-2005-Present
Professor of Piano Pedagogy, Piano Literature, and Private Piano
Instruction

Webb Bridge Middle School-2003
Five Week Student-Teaching Assignment (November-December 2003)
Under direction of Mrs. Robin Yackley. Taught Chorus and General
Music

Dunwoody Springs Elementary School, Atlanta Georgia-2003
Eleven Week Student-Teaching Assignment (August-October 2003)
Under the direction of Mrs. Suzanne Mikalsen

The Piano Studio in Alpharetta, Georgia, 2003-present
Owner, piano instructor
Kindermusik instructor
Piano Classes
Group and Theory Classes
Summer Music Camps

The Watermelon Tree Center for Fine Arts in Alpharetta, Georgia,
(school closed)
Head of the Piano Department
Kindermusik Instructor
Private Piano Instruction

New School of Music in Tucker, Georgia, 1998-2002
Class Piano Instruction
Private Piano Instruction
Musikgarten Classes: Cycle of Seasons-for 3-4 year olds
Music History and Theory instructor

University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, 1999-2002
Class Piano Instruction
Levels One-Three piano classes for General Education
Majors
Private Piano Instruction
Teach students from ages 4-24 years

Sandy Springs Christian Church in Atlanta, Georgia, 1999-2001
Coordinator of Children's Music Ministry
Conduct Children's Youth Choir-grades 1-5
Conduct Junior Choir-grades 6-8
Lead Sunday school classes in singing-ages 3yr- fourth grade

The Day School Pre-School in Atlanta, Georgia, 1999
General Music Teacher -Infants to Five Year olds

Baylor University in Waco, Texas, 1996-1998
Class Piano Instruction
Level One class piano for non-music majors
Level Two and Three for "non-piano" music majors

Private Piano Instruction
Teach college students including beginners and music minors
Teach private students ages 6yr-45.

Piano Laboratory Program
Teach twice a week in a two-year children's class piano program.

Private Piano Studio:
Alpharetta, Georgia 2002-
Lilburn, Georgia 1998-2002
Athens, Georgia 1999-2002
Waco, Texas 1996-1998
Little Rock, Arkansas 1995-1996

Other Professional Experiences:
2001
Research Assistant for Dr. Roy Legette (University of Georgia) on a grant based research project involving Multicultural Education
2000
Accompanist for the Cobb Community Chorus, directed by
Steve Burton
1999
Accompanist for University of Georgia's University Choir,
directed by Allen Crowell
1998
Musikgarten workshop and certification "Cycle of Seasons,"
Georgia State University
1996 and 1997
Participant at Dorothy Taubman Piano Institute. Amherst,
Massachusetts

Performance Experience:
2000
Solo Piano Recital, Sandy Springs Christian Church-May
Cobb Community Chorus, accompanist
1999
University of Georgia University Chorus, accompanist
1997-1998
Baylor University Handbell Ensemble
Baylor University Piano Ensemble
Solo Graduate piano recital, Baylor University-April, 1998
Lakewood Christian Church Choir
Lakewood Christian Handbell Choir
1996-1997
Baylor University Concert Choir
1995-1996
Baylor University Handbell Ensemble
Baylor University Handbell Quartet
1996
Solo Senior piano recital, Baylor University - April, 1996
1992
Pianist for orchestra at Arkansas Governor's School
Master classes with Alan Chow and Suzanne Guy
Solo Piano recital, Little Rock, Arkansas - May 1992

Awards/Prizes:
2002
Gene M. Simons Memorial Fellowship Award for Excellence in Early
Childhood Research
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award-University of Georgia
1997
Grant awarded to participate in Amherst Music Festival/Dorothy Taubman
Piano Institute
1996
Mu Phi Epsilon Senior Achievement Award
1995
Mu Phi Epsilon "Ruth Dean Morris Music Scholarship"
1994
Mu Phi Epsilon "Martha Barkema Music Scholarship"
1992
University of Central Arkansas Piano Competition, second place
University of Arkansas at Little Rock Piano Competition, second place
National Federation of Music Clubs Composition Competition, First
place State Level
National Federation of Music Clubs Composition Competition,
First runner-up Regional Level
National Federation of Music Clubs Composition Competition,
Second place National Level
Music Teacher's National Association Composition Competition,
First runner up State Level
Master Musician of the Year from Tri-M Music Honor Society

Memberships in Professional Organizations:
North Fulton Music Teacher's Association
National Federation of Music Clubs
Georgia Music Teacher's Association
American College of Musicians
Music Educator's National Conference
Georgia Music Educator's Association
Music Teacher's National Association (MTNA)
Phi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Baylor University
Mu Phi Epsilon, International Music Fraternity

Presentations
"When Are Children Ready For Piano Lessons?", North Fulton Music Teacher's Association Meeting, Alpharetta, Georgia, April 2003.
"Piano Pedagogy for Preschool Children" Georgia Music Teachers Association State Conference, Reinhardt College, November 2003.
"Piano Pedagogy for Four and Five-Year-Olds: An analysis of Selected Piano Methods for Teaching Preschool Children," Georgia Music Educator's |Association, Savannah, GA, January 2004.
"Critical Elements for Early Childhood Piano Instruction." Texas Music Teacher's Association State Conference, San Antonio, Texas, June 2005.

Publications:
"Freeing the Caged Bird: A Review of a Video by Barbara Lister-Sink.", Georgia Music News, Vol. 61, No 2, Winter 2000, page 66.

"The Philosophy of Carl Orff and Possible Implications for
Early Childhood Piano Instruction." Georgia Music News, Vol 61,
No. 4, Summer 2001, page 29-31.

Ashley Craig

ashleycraig@thepianostudio.org

Ashley Craig has been playing the piano for fifteen years and has been teaching for the past seven years. She is in the process of completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in piano performance and pedagogy at Reinhardt College. Her studio currently has 25+ students. In March 2006, all of Ms. Craig's participating students received Superior Ratings at the National Federation of Music Clubs Music Festival. Ashley has attended many Georgia Music Teacher's association conferences where she was able to frequent many lectures as well as masterclasses of well-known pianists throughout Georgia. Ashley served as Reinhardt's Collegiate Chapter President of Music Teacher's National Association for the School year 2005, and as the Secretary 2004. During this term, she served as representative for the collegiate chapter in the Student Government Association, and again for the collegiate chapter in the Spring 2005 discussion panel of the Cherokee Music Teachers Association. In 2003, Ashley had the privilege of attending the World Pedagogy Conference where she was able to observe world-renowned pedagogues' seminars, lectures, and masterclasses. She is currently pursuing National Certification through the Music Teacher's National Association.

Ms. Craig is currently a member of Georgia Music Teacher's Association, Music Teacher's National Association, National Federation of Music Clubs, and the American College of Musicians.

Ms. Craig is a recipient of several scholarships and honors including the Georgia Hope Scholarship as well as a Music Scholarship. During the spring 2005 she was honored with an induction into the "Who's Who Among American College Students."

Ms. Craig believes that as a teacher it is her privilege to communicate a deep love and appreciation of music to her students. This is accomplished through a well-rounded musical education and experience. Students of Ms. Craig are classically trained in piano performance, music theory, technique, music history and ear training.