My life story is one which has taken me around the globe a few times. I am originally from South Bend, Indiana. My father, Alan T., is a university math professor and my mother, Barbara, school speech therapist for children with special needs. I grew up in an environment where great emphasis was put on education and free thinking. After spending my Kindergarten year and a few summer vacations in Germany, we relocated there in 1979 when I was 10. I enjoyed a wonderful public education before going off to music conservatories for my professional studies. After teaching at the Cologne Conservatory for four years, I decided to return to the US to complete my studies at the University of Michigan, where I received both my masters and my doctoral degrees. Upon graduation, I was offered a professor position at the University of Iowa in 2003, where I still teach, and am now Professor of Piano Pedagogy, educating future piano teachers. I am also Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies in the School of Music. In addition to my teaching at Iowa, I also maintain a studio of pre-college students, ages 6-16. To support piano education across Iowa, I created the world's largest video database of piano repertoire for beginner to intermediate piano students.
In 2010 I married the love of my life, Heather, and soon thereafter moved to Dubuque, so that her two sons, Gabriel and Ethan, could stay close to their parents. In 2013, Heather and I welcomed Frederic into the world. All three boys are growing into amazing young men in our wonderful community. Heather is adjunct professor in the music department at the University of Wisconsin - Platteville.
Over the years I have experienced the wide variety of educational institutions Dubuque has to offer. As a guest of the Dubuque Arts Council, I was able to visit and perform in ~15 schools around the community. It also gave me the opportunity to witness the uneven conditions from school to school. This coming year, I will have a son in three different schools: Senior High School, Washington Middle School, and Our Lady of Guadelupe.
Our family enjoys visiting the Farmer's Market, walks along the Mississippi, hikes in Swiss Valley, golfing at Bunker Hill, sledding at Loras, or just simply relaxing on our deck and visiting with neighbors.
In 2010 I married the love of my life, Heather, and soon thereafter moved to Dubuque, so that her two sons, Gabriel and Ethan, could stay close to their parents. In 2013, Heather and I welcomed Frederic into the world. All three boys are growing into amazing young men in our wonderful community. Heather is adjunct professor in the music department at the University of Wisconsin - Platteville.
Over the years I have experienced the wide variety of educational institutions Dubuque has to offer. As a guest of the Dubuque Arts Council, I was able to visit and perform in ~15 schools around the community. It also gave me the opportunity to witness the uneven conditions from school to school. This coming year, I will have a son in three different schools: Senior High School, Washington Middle School, and Our Lady of Guadelupe.
Our family enjoys visiting the Farmer's Market, walks along the Mississippi, hikes in Swiss Valley, golfing at Bunker Hill, sledding at Loras, or just simply relaxing on our deck and visiting with neighbors.