Patricia Vergara
Today I’m happy to introduce Patricia Vergara. Patricia initially joined Winterhalter Music as a piano teacher back in the Fall of 2010. After a couple of years of lessons she went overseas for the past year to Mexico and South America to do research for her dissertation. After the dissertation is complete, she’ll hold a PhD in Ethnomusicology (the study of music from other cultures). This past September Patricia returned to the DC area and returned to teaching. I’m thrilled to have her back! She is an extremely talented and well rounded musician. Her credentials include multiple degrees in piano performance, jazz piano performance, and Ethnomusicology. She’s taught college courses at University of Maryland and Montgomery College along with private piano lessons. She’s also actively performed throughout the community. Welcome back Patricia! Keep reading to learn more about her.
1. Why did you decide to become a music teacher?
I played classical piano since age six, and at fifteen I was accepted into the prep school at the University of Rio de Janeiro. There I had not only piano lessons but also attended theory, harmony, history of music and ear training classes with the older university level music students. One of them recommended me as a piano teacher for one of his private music theory students, a 12 year old girl who was very serious about music. She was my first piano student; I was sixteen and she was twelve. I taught her for four years until I left Brazil. She went on to be accepted by the University of Rio’s music program at age 18 and to become a professional musician herself. Teaching piano has been a part of my life ever since, and came naturally with my own development as a musician.
2. Describe your teaching style.
I believe that all the aspects of learning to play music should be enjoyable, so I like to get students playing pieces they like. At the same time I think good sight reading and technique are really important in good music education, so I emphasize it as much as playing songs.
3. What do you hope your students will get out of taking lessons from you?
They will get a solid foundation in reading and technique appropriate for their age and level, an understanding of the importance of persevering, and hopefully and most importantly, a developing love for music.
4. What is your favorite music to play and listen to?
I play all kinds of music professionally from jazz to reggae to all kinds of pop, R&B, Brazilian and latin music. But for fun at home I love to play Bach and jazz. I listen to many different things, but lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Mexican styles because of my current research for my Ph.D dissertation. One of my favorite artists right now is Lila Downs, who fusions several styles, much like the music I like to do myself.
5. What do you like to do in your free time?
I have not had much free time lately, but my favorite things to do are hiking, camping, biking, traveling, and getting together with friends.
I hope you I hope you enjoyed learning more about Patricia! If you’d like more information on starting lessons with her or one of our other wonderful teachers, contact us. You can learn more about Patricia in her bio.
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Have a lovely day!
Sincerely,
Cassie
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