“My name is Jeff Johnson and I’m 78 years old. I started studying piano as a young adult and have had four teachers (including a PSU piano professor) over the last three decades. All these teachers are well regarded and helped me gradually learn how to play the piano, but none of them were anywhere near as effective as Kim. 

She has a couple of strengths. First, she really knows how to play the piano, how to get the sound she wants, and how to make things musical. Her second strength is that she knows how to communicate. She has an ability to analyze what needs to change in how I am playing, and she conveys this very clearly orally and also by demonstrating on the piano. She has me videotape her playing the section or working out usually no more than two or three or four measures, and she provides a narration which gives the context for the phrase within the piece. She has a very profound knowledge of how to get the notes played effectively and has taught me several new techniques.

I have learned more from Kim in the last four months than I have from the other teachers over 20 years, and it’s so much more fun! She is very supportive and very quick to understand what changes need to be made and then communicates them so cheerfully and energetically and with a lot of enthusiasm. I’m always in a very good mood during the lesson and after as well. I feel she is extremely interested in me learning how to play better, with emphasis on musicality.”

-Jeff Johnson, piano student

“Kim’s coaching helped me unlock a freer sense of timing and a more musical, expressive approach to my playing. After spending a long time refining a few difficult pieces (Florence Price Sonata, Dora Pejačević Sonata), her guidance was the reminder I didn’t know I needed — to step back, and see the bigger picture. She helped me free up my sense of timing in order to have a more organic feel. Her friendly and invested teaching style made me feel like we were in it together, working toward the music with a shared goal. It was very motivating for me.”

–Anne Denis, piano teacher & performer 

“Kim has a great ear for creating balance, molding a refined sound, for when and how to bend time to great, tasteful, musical effect. She is able to hear, speak directly and clearly to what the music needs, and in a way that is easy to understand. She is positive, encouraging, generous, and inspiring. It is a privilege and I feel fortunate to count Kim among my colleagues.”

–Nicholas Fontana, piano teacher & performer