Testimonials
On the Taubman Approach and Injury Recovery:
"As someone who was injured and thought they would have to give up their passion for playing piano forever, I’m very grateful I found Rachel and the Taubman Approach. Since I’ve started learning the Taubman Approach with Rachel, I have been able to play with ease and freedom while strengthening my technique at the same time. I’m also someone who has smaller hands than the average pianist, and Rachel has helped me learn through the Taubman Approach that it’s possible to navigate the piano without overstretching my hands. Like all things in life, learning the Taubman Approach is a process that takes time, but it’s one with the reward of an injury-free piano career." -Olivia C.
"As a devotee of the Taubman Approach, Rachel has helped me learn techniques that address the neck and shoulder pain that I was experiencing and was taking the fun out of playing. Rachel has a youthful, cheerful, and gentle personality, and an enthusiastic devotion to her art that makes working with her feel like a privilege for a mature hobbyist like myself and, I suspect, fun for her younger students who, one day, will realize how lucky they were to work with her. I was looking for a quick fix but I'm glad to have found someone who has a methodical and thoughtful way of making the work of becoming comfortable and proficient with the piano the pleasure it should be." –Foster W.
From Parents:
How would you describe Rachel as a teacher?
“Rachel is a very encouraging, positive, and patient teacher. She is a very talented pianist, and fosters a love of playing the piano in her students.” -Jennifer D.
“Rachel is a patient, conscientious, and knowledgeable teacher who makes learning to play the piano fun and challenging.” -Jennifer H.
“Rachel is very respectful and patient, and very knowledgeable regarding music and body position at the piano.” –Alyssa S.
“Very professional, knowledgeable. I appreciate her patience and approaches to ensuring practice time is adequate. I also think it’s great that Rachel incorporates technology into lessons and assignments.” -Mary Ellen F.
“Our 7-year-old daughter has been having a wonderful experience learning piano with Rachel. She has a warm, encouraging and patient style with the kids and makes it fun.”--Colleen and John M.
What do you appreciate most about your child’s experience working with Rachel?
“I really like that Rachel respects Claire’s thoughts and ideas and treats her like ‘a person’ rather than just ‘a kid.’ Claire enjoys working with Rachel very much and leaves the lesson stating, ‘that was fun!’ almost every time!” –Alyssa S.
“I love that my daughter really likes being with Rachel and laughs during lessons, but gets encouragement and knowledge at each lesson.” -Jennifer H.
“We chose Rachel as a piano teacher by recommendation from a friend who happens to be a music teacher. When I first met Rachel, she told me that it was her career goal ever since she was a little girl to be a piano teacher. I feel fortunate to have found a piano teacher with a genuine interest in being able to teach well which is reflected in her education credentials.” --Theresa C.
How do you feel your child has benefited from studying the Taubman Approach?
“Rachel’s approach to teaching piano has given Jane confidence with both her technique and to undertake more complex pieces.” -Jennifer H.
“I think it stresses the importance of physical comfort at the piano. Olivia has never complained of discomfort while practicing.” —Mary Ellen F.
How would you describe your child’s progress so far?
“Our daughter has learned so much in the past year and we couldn't be happier."--John and Colleen M.
“Jane has been taking lessons with Rachel for three and a half years and each year at the recital we are impressed with the progress she has made.” -Jennifer H.
“My daughter started piano lessons at age 12 which may seem late to some but it has worked out extremely well for her. She now plays piano in the Jazz band at school and has formed her own band with her friends. Rachel is doing a great job of balancing the basic instruction my daughter needs for her level of playing with Jillian's own interest. Rachel is professional, warm, and fun. In other words, she is a great teacher."--Theresa C.
From Students:
How would you describe Rachel as a teacher?
“Miss Rachel is funny, patient, and a good explainer. No matter how many times it takes for me to get something she will not cease to explain it just one more time.” -Jane H., age 12
“Miss Rachel is a kind teacher that takes time to address questions and issues in each piece.” -Andrew Y., age 15
“ Rachel is a dedicated, professional piano teacher. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She makes learning fun. She truly cares about her students. Her demeanor puts one at ease. Her praise gives one a feeling of accomplishment and motivation. Her love and knowledge of being a pianist is very apparent.” -Grace C., adult student
“I would describe her as nice and comforting because she never makes me feel bad if I don’t know something.” -Rachel, age 12
How would you describe your experience studying the Taubman Approach with Rachel?
“I feel like I have benefited from studying the Taubman Approach because the technique I learn helps me to move from one note to another, and another, smoothly and with ease.” —Jane H., age 12
“Overall, my piano skills have improved in many ways from the Taubman Approach. I have learned to play faster and progressed with techniques like voicing added to my playing.” —Andrew Y., age 15
How was your experience participating in supervised lessons and workshops with Golandsky Institute faculty members?
“I really enjoy the workshops. The teachers are nice and helpful, able to correct every problem regarding the approach. Each time I went, I learned a valuable new lesson.” —Andrew Y., age 15
"As someone who was injured and thought they would have to give up their passion for playing piano forever, I’m very grateful I found Rachel and the Taubman Approach. Since I’ve started learning the Taubman Approach with Rachel, I have been able to play with ease and freedom while strengthening my technique at the same time. I’m also someone who has smaller hands than the average pianist, and Rachel has helped me learn through the Taubman Approach that it’s possible to navigate the piano without overstretching my hands. Like all things in life, learning the Taubman Approach is a process that takes time, but it’s one with the reward of an injury-free piano career." -Olivia C.
"As a devotee of the Taubman Approach, Rachel has helped me learn techniques that address the neck and shoulder pain that I was experiencing and was taking the fun out of playing. Rachel has a youthful, cheerful, and gentle personality, and an enthusiastic devotion to her art that makes working with her feel like a privilege for a mature hobbyist like myself and, I suspect, fun for her younger students who, one day, will realize how lucky they were to work with her. I was looking for a quick fix but I'm glad to have found someone who has a methodical and thoughtful way of making the work of becoming comfortable and proficient with the piano the pleasure it should be." –Foster W.
From Parents:
How would you describe Rachel as a teacher?
“Rachel is a very encouraging, positive, and patient teacher. She is a very talented pianist, and fosters a love of playing the piano in her students.” -Jennifer D.
“Rachel is a patient, conscientious, and knowledgeable teacher who makes learning to play the piano fun and challenging.” -Jennifer H.
“Rachel is very respectful and patient, and very knowledgeable regarding music and body position at the piano.” –Alyssa S.
“Very professional, knowledgeable. I appreciate her patience and approaches to ensuring practice time is adequate. I also think it’s great that Rachel incorporates technology into lessons and assignments.” -Mary Ellen F.
“Our 7-year-old daughter has been having a wonderful experience learning piano with Rachel. She has a warm, encouraging and patient style with the kids and makes it fun.”--Colleen and John M.
What do you appreciate most about your child’s experience working with Rachel?
“I really like that Rachel respects Claire’s thoughts and ideas and treats her like ‘a person’ rather than just ‘a kid.’ Claire enjoys working with Rachel very much and leaves the lesson stating, ‘that was fun!’ almost every time!” –Alyssa S.
“I love that my daughter really likes being with Rachel and laughs during lessons, but gets encouragement and knowledge at each lesson.” -Jennifer H.
“We chose Rachel as a piano teacher by recommendation from a friend who happens to be a music teacher. When I first met Rachel, she told me that it was her career goal ever since she was a little girl to be a piano teacher. I feel fortunate to have found a piano teacher with a genuine interest in being able to teach well which is reflected in her education credentials.” --Theresa C.
How do you feel your child has benefited from studying the Taubman Approach?
“Rachel’s approach to teaching piano has given Jane confidence with both her technique and to undertake more complex pieces.” -Jennifer H.
“I think it stresses the importance of physical comfort at the piano. Olivia has never complained of discomfort while practicing.” —Mary Ellen F.
How would you describe your child’s progress so far?
“Our daughter has learned so much in the past year and we couldn't be happier."--John and Colleen M.
“Jane has been taking lessons with Rachel for three and a half years and each year at the recital we are impressed with the progress she has made.” -Jennifer H.
“My daughter started piano lessons at age 12 which may seem late to some but it has worked out extremely well for her. She now plays piano in the Jazz band at school and has formed her own band with her friends. Rachel is doing a great job of balancing the basic instruction my daughter needs for her level of playing with Jillian's own interest. Rachel is professional, warm, and fun. In other words, she is a great teacher."--Theresa C.
From Students:
How would you describe Rachel as a teacher?
“Miss Rachel is funny, patient, and a good explainer. No matter how many times it takes for me to get something she will not cease to explain it just one more time.” -Jane H., age 12
“Miss Rachel is a kind teacher that takes time to address questions and issues in each piece.” -Andrew Y., age 15
“ Rachel is a dedicated, professional piano teacher. Her enthusiasm is contagious. She makes learning fun. She truly cares about her students. Her demeanor puts one at ease. Her praise gives one a feeling of accomplishment and motivation. Her love and knowledge of being a pianist is very apparent.” -Grace C., adult student
“I would describe her as nice and comforting because she never makes me feel bad if I don’t know something.” -Rachel, age 12
How would you describe your experience studying the Taubman Approach with Rachel?
“I feel like I have benefited from studying the Taubman Approach because the technique I learn helps me to move from one note to another, and another, smoothly and with ease.” —Jane H., age 12
“Overall, my piano skills have improved in many ways from the Taubman Approach. I have learned to play faster and progressed with techniques like voicing added to my playing.” —Andrew Y., age 15
How was your experience participating in supervised lessons and workshops with Golandsky Institute faculty members?
“I really enjoy the workshops. The teachers are nice and helpful, able to correct every problem regarding the approach. Each time I went, I learned a valuable new lesson.” —Andrew Y., age 15