Getting to know Ms. Coolidge!

Q: Tell us about how you first became involved in music
My mother is a singer and choir director so I’ve been around music my whole life! I took piano lessons as a child but have been in choirs since elementary school.

Q: Is anyone else in your family a musician?
Yes, my mother and my brother are both musicians. My brother sings and plays guitar.

Q: Tell us more about your music education
I have a BME from LSU. I studied voice with Patricia O’Neill and choral studies with Dr. Sara Lynn Baird and Dr. Ken Fulton. I am a vocalist primarily but really enjoy teaching piano lessons.

Q: Growing up, did you have any influential teachers/professors who guided you towards becoming a professional musician?
My mother was a big influence on me. My father is an educator so I was destined to be a music teacher!

Q: What is your personal teaching philosophy?
I believe all people need music in their life in some capacity. All people can and should sing! If lessons are fun and encouraging early on I believe that people will stick with it and make it a lifelong activity. I want my students to fall in love with music making and want to continue their studies as they grow older.

Q: What is your favorite music genre?
That is a TOUGH question! I like everything from classic and 1990s country to neo-punk to Anglican choral music and everything in between!

Q: You have been teaching group piano classes for over 18 years! Tell us more about the Studio Kids: Piano Better Together curriculum. What is your favorite part about being a group piano teacher?
I love that students learn piano skills in a relaxed yet challenging way. When the students put together an ensemble where each student has an integral part to play and it all CLICKS, man, that is pretty great! I love this curriculum because students can play a simple melody along with an accompanying sequence or they can play all the parts themselves. It can accommodate a wide spectrum of skills. I also think it’s important that the ensemble skills complement the method book skills and vice versa.

Q: Do you have a favorite musical memory?
One of the most amazing musical experiences I’ve had was singing the Bruckner “Locus Iste” in Westminster Abbey. The powerful music sung in that glorious and storied place nearly brought me to my knees. 


Q: When you are not teaching, what do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a triathlete and enjoy training and racing, especially the 70.3 distance. I don’t always cross the finish line but I do cross the STARTING line! I enjoy running 10k, 15k, and 13.1 distances, too. I love spending time with my husband, Colin, and our four dogs, Addy, Bella, Roux, and Gus. We love going to the New Mexico and Colorado mountains to ski and hike.

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