Melodie A Smith-Valle
Piano
Melodie A Smith-Valle has been teaching piano professionally for 15+ years. She earned a BA in music from Moorhead State University, and a master’s in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Texas. While at the University of Texas, she also studied Piano Accompanying and Music Composition. She taught the gifted and visually impaired at St Josephʼs Conservatory of Music on Summit Avenue in St Paul, MN for 11 years. She also taught at Water Music in Stillwater, MN. She has conducted Latin music seminars in the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin areas. Her seminars used original salsa music to teach improvisation, chord progression and scales. Melodie's philosophy is that learning piano should be fun and encourage creativity, and she is currently in the process of writing a book on Salsa improvisation.
She has taught students from age 4 to 80, teaching all genres of music ranging from jazz to classical. Melodie is well versed in a wide range of method books, including the Suzuki method. She strives to teach note reading along with sight reading so that students are equally adept in both areas. Lesson plans will be structured according to the students’ musical interests and goals, also tailoring each lesson to the studentʼs individual skills and learning style. Melodie has 11 years of experience teaching the visually impaired and takes joy in bringing the creativity and skill out of all her students, regardless of skill level or ability. Studentʼs will also be encouraged to create their own compositions early on in the learning process.
She has taught students from age 4 to 80, teaching all genres of music ranging from jazz to classical. Melodie is well versed in a wide range of method books, including the Suzuki method. She strives to teach note reading along with sight reading so that students are equally adept in both areas. Lesson plans will be structured according to the students’ musical interests and goals, also tailoring each lesson to the studentʼs individual skills and learning style. Melodie has 11 years of experience teaching the visually impaired and takes joy in bringing the creativity and skill out of all her students, regardless of skill level or ability. Studentʼs will also be encouraged to create their own compositions early on in the learning process.