ABOUT
Piano Teacher/composer
I am an independent piano teacher in Warren, NJ. I incorporate mindfulness and contemplative practices in my studio to help students work through stress, tension and anxiety, improve concentration, gain confidence and play with ease.
I received a B.A in Piano Performance from Douglass College (Rutgers University) and have been happily teaching piano to children and adults for over 30 years.
As a composer/teacher, I specialize in teaching composition, improvisation and mindfulness. My compositions and arrangements can be found on Sheet Music Plus.
Many of my students, including my composer students, have won state and national competitions, performing in winners recitals at various prestigious venues, including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Westminster Choir College and Drew University.
In 2013, I was selected to be the commissioned composer for the Piano Teachers Society of America's (1980-2020) annual Carnegie Festival at Weill Recital Hall. I am currently President of the Music Educators Association of New Jersey, Chairperson of the Music Educators Association of New Jersey’s Eric Steiner Composition Competition and adjudicator for the New Jersey Federation of Music Clubs. I present mindfulness based workshops and seminars at national music conferences (Music Teachers National Association, National Conference of Keyboard Pedagogy) and state music organizations (Music Educators Association of New Jersey, New Jersey Music Teachers Association, Piano Teachers Forum of New Jersey).
I’m a MNDFL Certified Mindfulness instructor and a certified Meditation instructor through the Sri Amit Ray Meditation Center.
Mindfulness and music
Mindfulness helps to create a deeper relationship to playing music. By being aware of your body, senses, feelings, emotions, surrounding environment and thoughts, you can form a positive connection to practicing and performing. I teach full embodiment playing - the practice of being aware of the body, such as breath, relaxing areas of tension, and bringing your full attention to the music in the present moment.
I teach Mindfulness on Zoom, too! Do you want to learn more? Contact me at: danettewhelanmusic@gmail.com