Background

Jean Abbott Miller began playing organ and piano at the age of 4 ½, and began accompanying soloists and her school choirs by the age of 12. She also competed, played at church services, for weddings and other social and professional engagements at that time. Jeanne attended Wheat Ridge High and played both solo performances and as an accompanist for the singers, choirs and the annual school musicals.

Throughout her college years, Jeanne continued her studies at Colorado Women's College while she played for various commercial engagements, competitions on both the organ and the piano, and accompanying at all given opportunities. Although Jeanne liked to solo, she found that she was most fulfilled as an accompanist and teacher, enjoying the camaraderie and insight that was to be had only within the one-on-one relationships.

She started teaching at the age of 18 and although she was offered a scholarship to Stanford and Harvard for pre-law and accepted to multiple schools for music, she stayed with her now 35 year husband, Jack Miller, while attending Colorado Women's College where she majored in music, Russian, German and Italian.

Finding herself as the COO of business in the heart of Dillon, Colorado, Jeanne found her path had changed and began teaching again. Jeanne eventually decided to back away from the corporate world and obtain her teaching certificate. Graduating magna cum laude from Regis University, Jeanne found that she preferred to continue to teach one-on-one and not in a classroom setting as this was her passion.

She has taught piano ever since and has seen many of her young students become adults as she continues to challenge and reward each and every student. Not only did her teaching reach others, it touched her children as both Kirk and Chandi were to take an instrument. Eventually, weekly trips from Summit County to Denver went on for twelve years as Jack and Jeanne made sure that Kirk and Chandi had the correct background and instruction needed for the piano and violin.

Jeanne continues her love of music with many activities that amplify her personal enjoyment and growth as well as her development as a teacher. Jeanne practices the piano every day and has added the challenge of the violin to her daily regimen, as well. She attends seminars and symphony performances on a regular basis to keep abreast of new ideas and happenings in the music world, and to continually enjoy one of life's greatest passions.

Jeanne'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?