Interested in learning with Mary Kay?
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Contact us to schedule your first lesson!
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Mary Kay grew up in a family who valued music and the arts, inspiring her to love music from an early age and to begin taking dance at age four. At the age of eight, she developed an interest in piano and began piano lessons. In middle school, Mary Kay's chorus teacher asked her to begin accompanying the school choir and soon after she was asked to play with the organist at her church regularly. She joined the church youth ensemble (what would now be called a praise band) and she loved every minute! Now Mary Kay has been playing for church for 45 years!
She continued accompanying the chorus all through high school. It was during this time she decided she wanted to teach piano but it would be a number of years and some life experiences before she would start a private studio. Mary Kay graduated with an A.A. in Fine Arts from Darton College, Albany, Georgia and then transferred to Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia and graduated with a B.S. in Music Education. |
Following graduation, she opened her private studio in Leesburg, Georgia and taught there for 20-plus years. Some of her students have gone on to study and work in the music field as teachers, music therapists, and in music composition and recording. Mary Kay is member of MTNA, SCMTA and CMTA and has served as an adjudicator for the National Federation of Music Clubs and for The American Guild of Piano Teacher. Musically, she would like to continue to grow and desires to learn several other instruments, including percussion, mandolin and harp.
Currently, Mary Kay is serving as the Music Director at Bethany UMC on James Island. She oversees the music ministry, conducts and accompanies the adult choir, directs the handbell and children’s choir, and plays for the worship service. She is also collaborating with her fiance, Reid Hopkins, in music composition for his lyrics and they want to pursue that together further this year. In her free time, Mary Kay enjoys painting, the beach and the mountains. She enjoys nature photography and looks forward to traveling with Reid in their search for butterflies and birds! She still loves to dance and she is an avid reader of historical fiction and music training books.
Currently, Mary Kay is serving as the Music Director at Bethany UMC on James Island. She oversees the music ministry, conducts and accompanies the adult choir, directs the handbell and children’s choir, and plays for the worship service. She is also collaborating with her fiance, Reid Hopkins, in music composition for his lyrics and they want to pursue that together further this year. In her free time, Mary Kay enjoys painting, the beach and the mountains. She enjoys nature photography and looks forward to traveling with Reid in their search for butterflies and birds! She still loves to dance and she is an avid reader of historical fiction and music training books.
Mary's Teaching Style:
"I enjoy teaching kindergartners to adults! I believe strong foundations in music theory and rhythm play an important role in developing musical confidence. I love to share the joy of music while helping students achieve the technical and ear training skills necessary for musicianship. I often utilize 'off the bench' activities with younger students and build music appreciation in all students through musical conversations about their favorite artists and genres. Although I have a strong classical background, I enjoy many genres or music and encourage my students to be well-versed. I believe students are motivated by learning music they enjoy so I create piano lessons with their choices in mind."
"I enjoy teaching kindergartners to adults! I believe strong foundations in music theory and rhythm play an important role in developing musical confidence. I love to share the joy of music while helping students achieve the technical and ear training skills necessary for musicianship. I often utilize 'off the bench' activities with younger students and build music appreciation in all students through musical conversations about their favorite artists and genres. Although I have a strong classical background, I enjoy many genres or music and encourage my students to be well-versed. I believe students are motivated by learning music they enjoy so I create piano lessons with their choices in mind."