 Q: Tell us about how you first became involved in music
A: I first started plunking on the piano “by ear”, at my grandfather’s home, when I was maybe four or five. (I remember, at the time, there was a spot in “Chopsticks” that I just couldn’t get to sound right!) Years later, the piano came to my parents’ home, and my two brothers and I played and had lessons. I was the only one of the three of us who continued, so when I grew up, the piano moved out with me. Q: Is anyone else in your family a musician? A: Both brothers and I played in band through middle school and high school. All three of us played saxophone, two of us also played clarinet, and I also played flute. My oldest brother also loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. He’s sung in choirs and in barbershop quartet groups. And my husband is a trumpet teacher who’s written a book on trumpet playing called The Balanced Embouchure. The book is well known in the trumpet world, and it’s also been adapted for French Horn. By the way, I always support my students who get involved in music at school -- band, choir, orchestra. It’s a great life experience, and typically, one makes great friends in school music! To this day, anytime I walk into a band room in a school, I still feel at home. Q: Tell us more about your music education A: I attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas. Then also went to the university in Denton, which at that time was called North Texas State University. I actually dropped out after three years, and worked as a young adult for two different pipe organ builders. Finally I decided to return to music study, and attended the University of St. Thomas in Houston, where I received a degree in music, and the University of Houston, where I received a degree in German. Recently I bought a wonderful grand piano. It’s a joy to play, and I’m very inspired to practice hard with it, and have already set some goals to develop my own piano skills to new levels! Q: Growing up, did you have any influential teachers/professors who guided you towards becoming a professional musician? A: Yes, numerous teachers, all of whom were very encouraging. But my greatest gratitude is for my parents. They did not have musical training, themselves, but they loved music very much, and sacrificed much for years, in order to provide all three of us with private lessons. They supported our efforts and were so proud of us. My dad used to come (out of town, sometimes) and record our school jazz band contests! Q: What is your personal teaching philosophy? A: Every student has a different personality, and unique tastes and goals. I work to be adaptable to the needs of students, while still setting certain standards as guidelines. That is one of the great benefits of private instruction -- the personalized attention. Q: What is your favorite music genre? A: One genre? No way! In classical music, some favorites are Bach, Telemann, Beethoven, Schubert, Debussy, Puccini, Wagner, as well as more modern composers such as Copland, Martinu, Bozza, and American musical theater. In jazz music, I love Dave Brubeck, Al Jarreau, Maynard Ferguson, Bobby McFerrin, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Andreas Vollenweider. But I also especially love acoustic music that blends classical with folk and jazz, such as Claude Bolling, Jacques Loussier, banjoist Bela Fleck, bassist Edgar Meyer, and the fascinating projects of cellist YoYo Ma. In ethnic music, I’m crazy about the Irish group Lunasa, and deeply admire the lush Brazilian musical culture. Q: What is your favorite part about being a piano teacher? A: Watching students gain confidence and skill, seeing students take pride and pleasure in their progress and accomplishments -- not simply the finger skills, but also the listening discrimination and musical maturity. Musical instruments take a lot of time to become proficient at, so it’s gratifying to see students develop a solid work ethic by experiencing how their sustained and focused efforts -- namely, their patience and consistency -- do pay off for them, with musical rewards. In this age of quick fixes and instant gratification, that’s a life lesson of enormous value. Q: When you are not teaching, what do you like to do in your spare time? A: I love to write music, both arrangements of existing pieces, and original pieces. I love it when I get into a bind, in the middle of a creative project, and yet somehow find a way to solve the problem effectively. That creative success feels great! To see more about Ms. Lynne, click here
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-Stathia Orwig I have been dreaming about having a piano studio in East Richardson for a long time. It's amazing how everything falls into place! Two and a half years have gone by of interviewing teachers and students, trying to find the "right fit" for us. During that time, Meredith and I were always keeping an eye out on the real estate, trying to find the perfect location for our little piano and voice studio. There were a few times when we thought we had found it! But then something would fall through. We chose to look at each of those places as they were not right for us and we just kept on looking! Well, one day, Brian (my husband) and I went to look at one space. It definitely had some fixing up to do, but it had potential! It was in a shopping center we liked and close to home. Brian and I thought it through for some time and decided to jump on it. We wanted to add 3 extra rooms. There were already 4 rooms that were going to be perfect for studios. We added a front office and teacher workroom, and enclosed one section so that it would be a group class room.  Contracts were signed and our studio was announced at the May Awards Recital! So that we could begin the "feel" the construction plan, tape was laid on the floor so that we could walk it. Once we got city approval, we were ready to begin construction.  For our end of the year teacher party, we had wooden art signs made and each teacher (and little boss lady) got to create their own piece of art! You'll see later where these end up! It was so incredibly wonderful for each of the teachers to put their own stamp on our new studio space!! What a treat! Of course, add wine and dinner, and it was the perfect evening! :) So a little while later, walls started to go up. I can't tell you how exciting that was to finally see!!  Then we did a happy dance when sheetrock went up! Part of the initial plan was to have windows in each studio- we've gotta be safe!  Meredith and I worked with a paint specialist to see what colors would go best with our logo. Also, we wanted hard floors in all of the "common areas" and carpet in each studio to help with sound proofing. The finished product!! Below, I finally had the key to our new studio space!!  Literally a day later, pianos were moving in...we don't waste much time! Ha! And our first meeting for planning the school year was held at the studio!  THEN, furniture and some accent walls...we are loving the color orange is supposed to boost creativity and increase productivity. We decided it was the perfect color for our teacher workroom. Little Boss Lady helps clean sofas and get the mail!! What do you think of our artwork wall?? And here is a picture of the front entrance and waiting room: In just 2 short weeks, with a little sleep and a lot of coffee and help, we got our studio up and running and then celebrated with an open house! Meredith's and my dream has truly come true. We have worked VERY hard for this- hired the best of the best to join our team of teachers, and love and teach all of the students we have. We could have NEVER done this alone! The feedback from students & parents is that they LOVE our new home!! Come check it out!!  |
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