Background

Chandi Beck has loved playing the piano for as long as she can remember. Every moment was spent enjoying the feel and sound of the instrument. This was to the degree that the family still jokes that the only reason for adding an additional room on our old house was so Chandi could practice at any and all hours.

After the local teacher told Chandi she needed to move to a more qualified teacher, Chandi was sent to study with the National Repertory Orchestra pianist for two consecutive summers. After accomplishing far more than suspected, Chandi, at the age of 12, was the youngest student under Larry Graham's guidance. As a well-renowned piano professor at the University of Colorado, Mr. Graham studied himself at Julliard under the famous Rosina Lhevinne where Mr. Graham was invited as a guest soloist with multiple orchestras after winning several major awards and competitions, including the Public's Choice award in the month long Queen Elizabeth competition. Rosina Lhevinne and her husband, Josef, immigrated to the United States after graduating from the Moscow Conservatory with the recognition and honor of gold medals. Both technically and musically masterful, their teachings have been passed down to a rare handful including Chandi.

Chandi competed throughout her entire budding career, with her first major win at the age of 10, performing as a guest soloist with the Breckenridge Music Institute. She continued to pursue her passion and evolve as a pianist, winning other competitions, including the Colorado All-State Choir Accompanist and Soloist Top Award for two consecutive years. She pursued her love for music through many avenues in addition to being a soloist, including being an accompanist to her brother and other instrumentalists and also as a teacher.

Chandi auditioned for music schools around the nation and was accepted by all. She chose to stay at the University of Colorado under the continued tutelage of Larry Graham, being awarded a full-tuition scholarship for all four years of her undergraduate degree in Piano Performance. At the end of her four years, Chandi spent time pursuing a Master's in Music Education, Engineering, and a Business Degree all while continuing to teach and accompany, and then finally decided that her true love and devotion was to music and her students.

Chandi is married to Richard Beck and lives in Superior.

Chandi's Expectations

We all have habits and it is my belief that we need to establish good habits as soon as we start any musical instrument. With the parents and the student working together there are critical areas mentally and technically that need to be met for the student to achieve, move forward and feel confident.

It is my recommendation that students start at 2 ½ to 3 years whenever possible. That age requires parental patience and complete participation, but music is the only whole brained activity and many studies indicate that starting young increases IQ by at least 30%-40% and gives them a head start in school.

Expectations for Parents: You are already very special if you are giving the gift of music to your children for there is nothing more valuable throughout life. It takes time, patience, dedication as well as emotional and financial support It is worth all of that and more and will help them throughout school and later as an adult, socially as well as in the work force.

We all know that the success of the each student is based on the support that they receive from you. Celebrate their successes. If they practice a measure or section over and over, be thrilled that they are practicing correctly. Take time to sit and just listen to them. Your presence gives them more joy than you will know. Make it fun for both of you. Sing together! Dance while they play! Comment on new pieces! And yes, it's okay to ask if a note or a section sounded correct!

Most of all, please know that you can talk with the three of us freely and at any time with questions, problems and challenges. We may not have the answer, but we can work through anything together!

Tips for Parents: Provide your child with a good environment for practice, a comfortable space.

• Make sure there are as few distractions as possible during practice time.
• Students must have an instrument that is appropriate to their level of study.
• Set a regular time for practice, whether it is in one "chunk" of time or divided up.
• The consistency and the routine are quickly established and you will have less work enforcing it.
• Expose your child to quality music through recordings and concerts. We will try to provide you with alternatives and ideas. Ask us!

General Expectations for all levels of students:

• Practice every day. Establish a daily routtine that includes practice time. It is no different than brushing your teeth, combing your hair or bathing. With repetition a "habit" or routine is established and practicing everyday is just part of the daily routine.
• It is my preference that there never be a timer or a set practice time. It is distracting and how often through life do we stop a project because a timer goes off? It is much more beneficial to work until you feel that you have accomplished what you sat down to do. Will the last part of a piece be well practiced if a timer goes off just as you get to it?